Led by Mrs Redworth (Macfarlane)
Newdale Primary School and Nursery
A School of ‘doers, believers and achievers’.
“To go further than I thought
To run faster than I hoped
To reach higher than I dreamed
To become the person I need to be.”
Curriculum Statement
‘The curriculum is extremely well planned and is delivered consistently. Pupils remember
important information because teachers make sure they regularly practise and recall it.
Pupils’ learning is made interesting through the use of engaging resources and
educational visits and visitors. Pupils flourish as inquisitive and knowledgeable learners.’
Ofsted May 2023
Our Curriculum Intent: How we ensure children gain the correct knowledge and skills at each stage of their education
‘Leaders have carefully structured the curriculum to build up pupils’ knowledge and vocabulary over time’.
Ofsted May 2023
At Newdale Primary School, our ambitious curriculum is designed to ensure that every child develops the knowledge, skills and character they need to thrive both now and in the future.
We want all children to:
- Know more, remember more and do more.
- Achieve highly from their individual starting points.
- Become confident, fluent readers.
- Develop curiosity and a love of learning.
- Build resilience, independence and self-belief.
- Be fully prepared for the next stage of education and later life.
- Become respectful, responsible and active members of their community.
Our curriculum reflects the requirements of the National Curriculum whilst providing rich opportunities that broaden children’s experiences, aspirations and cultural capital.
Our Curriculum Vision
At Newdale, we believe learning should be meaningful, memorable and connected. Children learn by linking new knowledge to what they already know. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced from Early Years through to Year 6 so that knowledge and skills build progressively over time. This enables pupils to develop secure understanding, make connections across subjects and confidently apply their learning in different contexts.
We have high expectations for all pupils and believe that every child can succeed. Through excellent teaching, purposeful practice and regular opportunities to revisit learning, children develop strong long-term memory and become increasingly confident learners.
“Staff have strong subject knowledge to deliver the curriculum really well across all subjects.” Ofsted, May 2023
An Ambitious and Inclusive Curriculum
Our curriculum has been designed to be ambitious for every child. Drawing upon guidance from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), our teachers use evidence-informed approaches that support all learners to access and succeed within the curriculum. These include:
- High-quality teaching for every pupil.
- Clear explanations and modelling.
- Breaking learning into manageable steps.
- Regular retrieval practice to strengthen memory.
- Scaffolded support when needed.
- Effective questioning and discussion.
- Flexible adaptation of teaching to meet individual needs.
- Opportunities for independent thinking and problem solving.
Through adaptive teaching and inclusive classroom practice, children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learn alongside their peers and are supported to achieve success and independence.
Our classrooms have consistently high expectations, where every child’s contribution is valued and everyone is encouraged to participate.
“Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), respond exceptionally well to the high expectations of leaders and staff for their academic achievement. They have a thirst for knowledge.” Ofsted, May 2023
Building Knowledge That Lasts
Research tells us that learning happens when knowledge is stored in long-term memory and can be successfully recalled and applied.
To support this, our curriculum:
- Builds knowledge progressively from EYFS to Year 6.
- Revisits important concepts regularly.
- Makes clear links between previous and new learning.
- Encourages children to explain and discuss their understanding.
- Develops both knowledge and skills across all subjects.
Children are taught to understand not only what they are learning, but why it is important and how it connects to future learning. This carefully sequenced approach helps children become confident learners who can remember and apply what they know.
Reading at the Heart of Learning
Reading is fundamental to success across the curriculum. At Newdale, we are committed to ensuring every child becomes a fluent, confident reader who develops a genuine love of books and literature.
Through our Read Write Inc. phonics programme and high-quality reading curriculum, children learn to:
- Read accurately and fluently.
- Understand and discuss what they read.
- Develop a rich vocabulary.
- Build knowledge across the curriculum.
- Foster a lifelong love of reading.
We know that strong reading skills open the door to future success and help children access the full curriculum with confidence.
Enrichment and Personal Development
Learning at Newdale extends far beyond the classroom. We believe children learn best when they experience the wider world and are provided with opportunities to develop their talents, interests and aspirations.
Our extensive enrichment offer includes:
Educational Experiences
- Educational visits and residential trips
- Visitors and specialist workshops
- Outdoor learning opportunities
- Local community projects
Wider Curriculum Opportunities
- Theme days and themed weeks
- STEM activities
- Creative arts projects
- Music and performance opportunities
Leadership and Pupil Voice
- School Parliament
- Fundraising initiatives
- Community engagement activities
Physical Development and Wellbeing
- Wide-ranging sports clubs
- Competitive sporting events
- Active play opportunities
- Health and wellbeing education
These experiences help develop children’s confidence, independence, cultural capital and understanding of the world around them.
Keeping Children Safe
Keeping children safe is central to our curriculum.
Children learn how to:
- Stay safe online.
- Build positive relationships.
- Look after their physical and mental wellbeing.
- Recognise risks and make informed choices.
- Seek help and support when needed.
We aim to develop responsible, respectful young people who understand their role within both the school community and wider society.
Monitoring Achievement and Progress
We continually assess children’s learning to ensure they are making progress.
Teachers use:
- Daily assessment for learning.
- Retrieval practice.
- Questioning and discussion.
- Verbal and written feedback.
- Termly assessment systems.
This allows us to quickly identify strengths, address misconceptions and provide timely support where needed. Leaders, governors and subject leaders regularly monitor curriculum quality to ensure pupils receive the very best education possible.
The Impact of Our Curriculum
By the time children leave Newdale Primary School, we want them to be:
- Secondary-ready learners
- Fluent and enthusiastic readers
- Knowledgeable across a broad range of subjects
- Confident communicators
- Resilient and independent problem solvers
- Respectful, responsible citizens
- Aspirational about their future
- Equipped with strong values such as equality, kindness, trust and tolerance
- Physically and emotionally prepared for the next stage of education
- Able to reflect on their learning and take pride in their achievements
Our curriculum ensures children leave Newdale with the knowledge, skills, experiences and confidence they need to flourish in secondary school and beyond. Together, we help every child to know more, remember more, do more and become more.
Long Term Overviews for 2026-2027
Early Years Ladybugs Long Term Plan
Nursery Key Knowledge and Skills Long Term Plan 2026-27
Reception Long Term Plan 2026-27
Year 1 Overview 2026-27
Year 2 Overview 2026-27 Website Version
Year 3 Overview 2026-27
Year 4 Overview 2026-27 Website Version
Year 5 Overview 2026-2027 Website Version
Year 6 Overview 2026-27
What the Children are Learning this Half Term
In our parents’ area, you can visit each year group’s curriculum page. Here, you will find details about the topics and themes that the children will be learning this half term:
Nursery Curriculum
Reception Curriculum
Year 1 Curriculum
Year 2 Curriculum
Year 3 Curriculum
Year 4 Curriculum
Year 5 Curriculum
Year 6 Curriculum
Subjects
A short guide to how we teach each subject can be found by visiting the subjects pages:
How we teach subjects
To see how we embed Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) values including Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) throughout our curriculum, please see the SMSC page.
Curriculum leader: Miss Macfarlane