The curriculum at Newstead Wood School is developed with a focus on nurturing and enhancing students' academic potential, alongside an extensive enrichment programme and supportive pastoral system.
Our curriculum is a seven-year journey, carefully planned to create a rich experience that is coherent across all areas of school life. We keep our model under constant review to ensure our students benefit from the best opportunities available.
Breadth of opportunity is particularly important to us and this aligns closely with our school vision. For our students to be individuals and have the true opportunity to explore their place in the world, it is vital that the curriculum remains as broad as possible, for as long as possible. We believe passionately that our broad and ambitious curriculum is the progression model which will lead to excellent academic outcomes and will ensure that each student has every door open to them when they leave Newstead.
Developing the whole student is at the heart of what we do. Our co-curricular programme provides every individual with the opportunity for personal growth and development.
The provision of co-curricular activities at Newstead is unrivalled by any other state school, regionally or nationally. At break, lunchtimes and after school Newstead buzzes with activity, allowing students to be creative, perform, play sport and be active to their heart's content.
Our careers guidance is a key aspect of all key stages and is a strength of Newstead Wood. Our students are able to access first class support and guidance to ensure they make the right decisions at each stage of their learning.
Our students have always taken responsibility for running and participating in a range of extra-curricular programmes for themselves and others. The programme varies in any given year to reflect the interests and passions of the students. In addition, there are established peer and academic mentoring programmes between students in different year groups as well as with students from local primary schools, providing one-to-one as well as group support in a range of subjects.
Our Elective Programme at KS4 and KS5 allows students to indulge in their passions and explore career pathways and develop skills linked to their future ambitions. So much do we believe in this offer that each year group has one afternoon per week devoted to this programme.
At KS3 students engage in Enterprise and Arts activities in their form groups and develop activities to raise awareness and funds for their adopted charities through First Give.
Our Cultural Arts and Enrichment week in the summer makes way for a celebration of the Arts, culminating in our Performing Arts Festival and Dance and Music performances.
Our House system is also an integral part of our curriculum offering, driven by a team of Sixth Form House Captains. Each year numerous inter-house competitions are staged, many involving whole year groups, in an atmosphere of friendly competition.
We know, value and support our students as unique learners. We are ambitious and embrace challenge as part of our vision. Academic rigour is important and students of our calibre should rightly be challenged by a curriculum that expects them to go deeper and far beyond the National Curriculum. All the subjects we offer are rigorous academic disciplines providing powerful knowledge and cultural capital for all students
regardless of background. Alongside exceptional staff subject expertise, we know our students are in an environment where they know and remember more, and will use this knowledge to change the world in which we live.
For more information on our curriculum, visit the subject pages under KS3 Curriculum, KS4 Curriculum and Sixth Form Course Information. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact the head of the relevant department who you can find on the subject pages and on our Staff List.