Curriculum

Students joining us in Year 7 study Art, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, German, History, Mathematics, Music, Personal Development Curriculum (Foundation Studies, Enterprise, First Give, Performing Arts), Physical Education, Religion Philosophy and Ethics (RPE), Science and Spanish. Students can choose to opt into the Latin Programme in Year 7 and as they progress through their first three years, they also have the opportunity to start learning Mandarin and Japanese. Students opt for two of the Modern Foreign Language subjects to study at KS3.

Students take all their external GCSE qualifications at the end of Year 11. All students have a core curriculum of English Literature, English Language, Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics and RPE. They can then choose four options subjects from the list below, on top of the non-examined Electives Programme, Physical Education. Tuesday afternoons and termly Flexible Learning Days for all students again provide extra opportunities for enrichment activities and careers advice. For some students, it can be appropriate to sit a GCSE in Further Maths.

Subjects currently on offer at GCSE: Art, Computer Science, Drama, DT (Engineering, Food & Nutrition, Design & Technology, Textiles), Environmental Management, French, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Music, Physical Education, RPE, Spanish.

Our student-centred system means we give free choice, under the guidance of the pastoral and academic teams, as to which GCSEs a student would like to follow. We then build the curriculum around them. All of our students select a broad range of GCSEs and despite not being compulsory, the majority of students fulfil the EBacc criteria. We feel this is the best approach to meet the needs of each individual student in our care.

The Sixth Form years offer exceptional opportunities for academic progress and self-development. Our curriculum meets all aspects of the Study Programmes for 16-19 year olds - our IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance Programme) and a vast array of enrichment and extra-curricular activities supplementing students core academic study. Our Higher Education and Careers guidance is second to none, with bespoke support for areas including MVD (Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry), Oxbridge and Degree Apprenticeships.

The majority of our students begin Year 12 on four A level courses, usually moving onto three in Year 13. A small number of students studying Maths and Further Maths may wish to study five subjects, but this is the exception rather than the norm. Many students also elect to complete an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), an area in which our students have had outstanding success. We also offer CREST Gold Award as part of our Electives Options.  

Subjects currently on offer at Sixth Form:
Art, Art Textiles, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design Engineering, Design & Technology, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, German, History, Maths, Further Maths, Music, Physics, Physical Education, Politics, Psychology, Philosophy and Ethics, Spanish and Theatre Studies.

The impact of our curriculum is clear to see. Our students achieve the very highest possible outcomes in terms of academic qualifications, that see them go on to the very best University courses (both in the UK and abroad) and also increasingly to highly competitive Higher Apprenticeship courses and employment. Crucially however, our students also embody the skills and qualities set out in our school vision. These skills are nurtured and developed throughout the seven years at Newstead in our Personal Development and IAG programmes – resulting in the happy, curious, resilient and well-rounded young individuals who are the hallmark of our school.

For more information on our curriculum please see the subject pages on our website.