Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework 

The government released the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework in January 2024 and information around what is taught in EYFS can be found on this link.

The National Curriculum (Years 1 to 6)

The government revised the National Curriculum for Primary Schools in 2014 and as a school we have decided to develop an exciting and innovative model of teaching and learning which will engage children in learning whilst equipping them with the knowledge and skills which they will need to be responsible and aspiring members of the community and the future.

Please find attached a link for the National Curriculum for children in KS1 and KS2.

Writing

Throughout the school, children are given a range of opportunities to inspire them to write by taking into account cross-curricular links including the 'Newbridge Journey' experiences. Each year group focuses on the 'writing process' which allows children to re-visit their writing and improve it along the way. Children are encouraged to be creative writers and to recognise the features of high quality written work. Children are given the skills to become writers through talk for writing and by enjoying a range of different text-types alongside the teaching of progressive skills. As a school, we ensure children learn how to edit and improve their own work as well as supporting them to reflect and develop their writing.

SPAG

Throughout the school we teach regular, discrete, high-quality lessons on spelling, punctuation and grammar. In EYFS and Key Stage 1 we follow a SPAG progression of skills and use the Twinkl phonics scheme. In Key Stage 2 we follow a SPAG progression of skills and use Spelling Shed. From Year 2 up spelling patterns linked to taught content can found on the school website on the Year group pages.

Reading

As a school, we work to ensure that every child develops a love of reading and is a successful and strategic reader. We have a structured and multifaceted approach to the teaching of reading. This includes the teaching of synthetic phonics through the Twinkl Phonics programme as well as daily spelling lessons in KS2 using Spelling Shed. In EYFS and Key Stage 1 all children have a weekly Guided Reading session with a teacher to develop decoding and reading comprehension skills. Some children also have additional Twinkl Phonics interventions to support their progress in reading. Whole class reading is taught in Key Stage 2. The children use a range of texts, including their class book, to answer comprehension questions based on the VIPERS approach to comprehension. Some children have additional phonics and comprehension support. Wider reading is encouraged through the use of high-quality texts in class and the school library.

Maths

In maths we deliver an engaging, creative and real-life curriculum that follows the fundamentals set out in The White Rose Scheme of Learning. This is designed to deepen children’s mathematical understanding through revisiting topics and apply reasoning to problem solve. Our calculation policy shows the progression, from Year 1 to Year 6, for the four operations. 
In Foundation Stage, teachers plan through the exploration of maths, giving children the opportunity to learn both within and outside of the classroom. We continue to build on these skills in KS1 and KS2 so that we can develop the children's confidence to apply their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals. All children are challenged to reach their full potential and home learning is supported through subscriptions to Numbots in KS1 and Times Tables Rock Stars in KS2. Each pupil (from Year 1 to Year 6) receives their own login to access these. In addition, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils use home learning worksheets to support and consolidate learning as needed.

    

Computing

The implementation of our computing curriculum is underpinned by the 2014 National Curriculum, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 and the Computing Progression Pathways. We follow the Teach Computing scheme with some adaptations to fit our school context. Our curriculum is broad and balanced, ensuring pupils have a range of experiences in digital literacy, information technology and computer science. Computing lessons are delivered by experienced teachers who provide engaging and stimulating learning experiences. Pupils use a range of technology, including iPads, laptops and the internet, and learn about online safety and citizenship through various age-appropriate resources linked to our PSHE scheme of work (Jigsaw) and Common Sense Education. Cross-curricular learning is encouraged, and in KS2, computing lessons are often integrated into our broader curriculum topics, providing pupils with opportunities to apply their computing knowledge and skills in different contexts. Our computing curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant, progressive and meets the needs of our pupils.

  

Science

Science is taught in every year group throughout the school with a focus on practical skills and developing knowledge. We promote understanding of the world around us through the practical applications of science. This is achieved through inspiring teaching, awe and wonder moments and links with other subjects.

Geography

At Newbridge, being geographers means we are learning about our planet and the processes that shape it.”
At Newbridge, we want to broaden the children’s understanding of the wider world and to help the children understand the connections between their own lives and their local environment.  During each year, the children will focus on four different threads that enable them to learn about the different aspects of geography; locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills and fieldwork.
Each unit has a dedicated knowledge organiser that contains diagrams, key information and key questions.  We encourage the children to discuss the content of their knowledge organiser in each lesson and use it as a tool to help them learn new vocabulary. At the start and end of each unit, the children take a short quiz to demonstrate their understanding of the topic.

History

“We are historians, this means we are learning how things in the past can affect us today.”
History is taught in every year group – in every year group children are historians. The three threads: Chronology, Analysing Sources and Evidence and Making Connections, are embedded throughout the curriculum – providing our pupils with a broad, balanced and purposeful learning journey from Reception through to Y6. British Values are encompassed throughout – where we develop a love of history through progression of historical concepts and knowledge and skills.
Based in the Georgian city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we use our location to inspire the teaching and learning of history – encouraging curiosity and wonder. For example, visiting the Roman Baths and taking part in the Bath Blitz Walk, led by the Mayor’s Guides. Alongside teaching the events of the past, understanding the implication of these historical events, is at the core of our curriculum. We encourage children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement.
Through the study of history at Newbridge school, the children gain an understanding of the complexities of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenge of their time.
Our aim is to motivate and inspire life-long learners of history.

Music

Music is taught in every year. Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 are taught by class teachers using the music scheme Charanga. Each Year 3 - 6 class is taught by a music specialist once a week in a dedicated music room. The content involves a variety of resources, developed over the years by the specialist. A wide variety of extracurricular music clubs are offered, including choir and orchestra. Children in KS2 can learn a wide variety of instruments taught by specialist peripatetic teachers. Please see our new School Music Deveopment Plan inspired by the Government's new Model Music Curriculum.

P.E.

In Foundation Stage, Year 1 and Year 2 P.E. is taught by class teachers using a combination of schemes from Real PE and Get Set 4 PE. Information about Real PE can be found here.

Years 3 - 6 are taught by class teachers and a specialist PPA teacher; we follow Get Set 4 PE schemes of work in KS2. Swimming lessons are also offered during KS2.

Children across the school participate in a wide range of activities including dance, gymnastics and various games (both indoors and outdoors). 

R.E.

Religious Education at Newbridge Primary School has a significant role for the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development we believe that it is vital for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. Through Religious Education, pupils develop their knowledge of the world faiths, and their understanding and awareness of the beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals, societies, communities and cultures. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. Our Religious Education curriculum is enhanced further with trips to places of worship. We use the Discovery RE scheme of work across the whole school incorporating Awareness Mystery and Values syllabus for Bath and North East Somerset. 

Click here.

Art

At Newbridge Primary School, art education follows the National Curriculum guidelines, emphasising creativity, expression, and critical thinking. Pupils explore a range of artistic techniques, including drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, and textiles, while learning about famous artists and diverse cultures. The school integrates Access Art resources to inspire and guide creative projects, encouraging experimentation and personal expression. Through these lessons, children develop confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for visual arts, fostering creativity across the curriculum.

Design and Technology

At Newbridge, we are designers. This means we plan, create, make and evaluate products that make our lives easier.
The DT curriculum at Newbridge aims to instil an iterative approach, based on a continuous cycle of researching, designing, making and evaluating.  We encourage the children to understand how products can be created to solve different problems and how they can have different uses and users. Each unit has a dedicated knowledge organiser that contains the key information and key questions for each project.  We encourage the children to refer to their knowledge organiser in each lesson, ensuring that the key vocabulary is taught alongside practical skills.  The children use a project planning sheet to record their ideas clearly and to embed each stage of the design process.

PSHE

At Newbridge Primary School we regard PSHE as an important component of the whole curriculum. We believe that the promotion of health and wellbeing is central to the life of the school and its relationships with the surrounding community. We take very seriously the responsibility that schools have to provide a broad and balanced curriculum.

The school is using and incorporating the Jigsaw scheme of work to support PSHE and mindfulness; helping children to become aware of their thoughts and feelings as well as celebrating specific attitudes or behaviours which help the learning of the lessons to permeate every aspect of childrens' lives at school.

Guide for Parents and Carers

Examples of the PSHE activites taught in school can be found here.