At Newstead Primary School we aim to teach our curriculum, wherever possible, through a thematic and book based approach. We find children quickly become enthusiastic about the topic and we can capture that enthusiasm to develop subject specific skills in a purposeful and meaningful way.
It also enables the children to see the connections between the different subject areas.

LITERACY
Speaking and Listening.
Speaking and listening skills are developed as an integral part of our learning in all subjects. Through all our work we ensure that children's vocabulary is developed. The use of talking partners enables children to practice talk and dialogue for learning. We use 'Talk for Writing' to explore different types of talk, language extension and to retell and adapt well known texts.

Reading.
Reading in school begins with a phonics based approach alongside children reading decodable reading books. More information about our approach to phonics can be found on the 'curriculum' page. From Year 2 to Year 6 the reading books we have in school are graded against book bands to ensure they are at an appropriate level for the children's decoding, fluency and comprehension skills. Reading comprehension also starts from the very beginning with whole class reading sessions to explore understanding. Once the children have learned to reliably decode print, whole class guided reading lessons continue throughout Key Stage Two to explore the comprehension skills of inference, deduction, summarisation, word meaning etc. .
We encourage the love of reading through the reading of stories read to each class by an adult, the texts we choose to study in class, quiet reading and shared reading. We also promote the 100 book challenge within both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Writing.
In the  earliest stages of writing, children are encouraged to breakdown the sounds they hear in words and use their phonic knowledge and skills to write them down. Children are encouraged to have-a-go at writing in a variety of adult initiated and child initiated activities as well as guided groups with the teacher.

We use class topics, as much as possible, for our focus on reading and writing activities. Talk for Writing strategies are central to the teaching in the school and give children time to orally rehearse before writing so they feel confident and clear about the content of their writing before they begin. Children are expected write at length at least once a week.

We ensure children have a variety of purposes and contexts for their writing, including imaginative stories, newspaper reports, letters, diaries, instructions, persuasion and recounts. 

Handwriting

The children are taught the above style of cursive writing from reception age. Children are taught to begin their letters from the line for every letter. Children are rewarded with a pen licence once they have achieved a consistent style of joined handwriting and can apply it to all of their books and work. They are presented with their licence in our Friday achievement assembly.

MATHEMATICS
We place a strong emphasis on the learning of key mathematical facts. We structure lessons using the White Rose Maths Hub materials and then support this by using various resources, including Numicon, Maths No Problem, Power Maths, Rising Stars Mental Arithmetic  and Classroom Secrets resources.
We want all children to develop into confident and competent mathematical thinkers and to be able to apply their mathematical knowledge in a range of challenging and stimulating situations. Our aim is that all children develop a positive and confident attitude to mathematics, enjoy mathematics and reach their full potential as mathematicians.
In Key Stage 1 we ensure pupils have confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value. Children work with numerals, words and the four operations of number. Pupils develop their ability to recognise, describe, draw and compare different shapes and use related vocabulary. Teaching also involves using a range of measurements such as length, mass, capacity, time and money.
In Key Stage 2 mathematics teaching ensures children become increasingly fluent with whole numbers and the four operations of number, including number facts and the concept of place value. During this key stage children develop their ability to solve a range of problems, including increasingly complex properties of numbers and arithmetic. Knowledge and retention of multiplication tables are of high priority in lower Key Stage 2.
School subscribe to 'Maths of the Day' which all classes use on a weekly basis to promote active maths. Some Year 6 children are provided with the opportunity to have 1:1 tuition with tutors from 3rd Space Learning. 

SCIENCE
The science curriculum aims to develop children's scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific areas of biology, chemistry and physics. Children develop an understanding of nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. We aim to ensure children are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses of science in the world today and for the future.
In Key Stage 1 the children will be taught about plants, animals including humans, living things and habitats, everyday materials, light, sound and seasonal changes.
In Key Stage 2 the children will extend their knowledge of plants, animals including humans, living things and habitats and light and sound. They will also learn about evolution and inheritance, rocks, properties and changes of materials, states of matter, forces and magnets, Earth and space and electricity.

ART AND DESIGN
The design of our curriculum ensures progressive art and design skills are experienced by the children. 
In Key Stage 1 children use a wide range of materials to create, design and make products. They use drawing, sculpting and painting to develop a wide range of art and design techniques and learn about the work of artists.
In Key Stage 2 children develop their art and design techniques. All children in Key Stage 2 have a sketch book to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas. These books will follow the children through their Key Stage 2 years. They will opportunity to improve their skills in painting, drawing and sculpting and learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.

COMPUTING.
The curriculum has changed significantly within this area recently. The schools computing curriculum has been updated and now provides children with opportunities that include  understanding what algorithms are, creating and debug simple programs and understanding computer systems such as the internet. The children are also taught how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. In school we use the Twinkle Curriculum to help enable the teaching of this curriculum along with other web based programmes such as 'Scratch'. Children also have access to laptops and computers to produce their work, make powerpoint presentations and research information. 

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Design and Technology work is linked to the topic work within the half term. Children are taught design technology within the design, make and evaluate system. They also gain technical knowledge as they study. The children are given opportunities to develop designs, evaluate suitable materials, make prototypes and use a range of tools and equipment cut, join, shape and finish products. Cooking and nutrition is taught within design and technology. The children are taught about the principles of a healthy and varied diet and where their food comes from. They have the opportunity to prepare and cook dishes using a range of cooking techniques.

GEOGRAPHY
The Geography curriculum aims to inspire a pupils natural curiosity and fascination about the world and its people.
Children are taught geographical skills under four main headings: locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills and fieldwork.

HISTORY
The History curriculum will help pupils gain knowledge and understanding of Britain's past and that of the wider world. All pupils will develop a chronology of events and people through time and should be able to ask inquiring questions relating to periods of history in living memory and beyond.
Pupils will be taught about events such as the Great Fire of London and will study periods of history such as Stone Age to Iron Age.

LANGUAGES
At Key Stage 2 our chosen language is French. We focus on practical communication to broaden the pupils knowledge of a language different to their own.

MUSIC
At Newstead Primary School we teach according to the 'Charanga' scheme of work.
We ensure children have the opportunity to perform, listen, review and evaluate music across a range of periods, genres, styles and traditions.

RELGIOUS EDUCATION

Our teaching of Religious Education follows the guidance given in the latest Agreed

Syllabus for Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire:-

Religious  Education for All

The Agreed Syllabus for RE in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire

2021-2026

Using this Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, we will enable our pupils to discover more about religion as well as other world views as we assist them to apply their learning to a range of topics. Our pupils are encouraged to express ideas and insights into key questions which face all human beings as we travel through life. They will take part in lessons, and could also receive visitors to school sharing a range of religious viewpoints and undertake their own visits to varied places of worship.

Through these experiences they will gain insights and knowledge to help equip them as responsible citizens, ready to contribute positively to our society and the wider world.

The three-fold aims of RE in Nottingham County will ensure that our pupils:

1. Know and understand a range of religions and world views which will allow them to recognise the diversity which exists in our city and wider society.
2. Can express ideas and insights  about the nature, significance and the impact of religions and world views as they develop their own personal views on a range of issues
3. Develop and use skills which will assist them to engage seriously with religions and world views

By following the Agreed Syllabus, RE will also contribute to a whole range of school priorities.  Study of religious and world views will also promote spiritual, cultural, social and moral development, and will support pupils’ understanding of British Values such as acceptance and respect for others who hold different world views.

If you would like to know more about the Agreed Syllabus a copy can be made available for you to read in school.