Our curriculum extends beyond the National Curriculum and includes a wide range of enriching experiences and opportunities both within and beyond the school day. This includes an extensive programme of extra-curricular clubs that support the development of a range of skills as well as Cultural Capital.
A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, and provide a purpose and relevance for learning.
At Newburgh, we take pride in providing a highly inclusive environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and make very good progress across the curriculum. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. All children are challenged, encouraged and supported through tasks which provide opportunities for deeper learning as well as targeted support to embed skills.
In addition to our exciting and stimulating cross-curricular themes we also provide further opportunities to enhance children's learning whenever possible.
Whole School Theme Days/Weeks
Throughout the year, themed days/weeks are woven into the curriculum to extend the breadth and balance of opportunities we offer our pupils. These include Online Safety Day, World Book Day, Science Week, R.E. days, Careers and Aspirations Week, Maths Day and others.
Careers and Aspirations Week
This introduces children to the world of work, develops career-related learning and helps to break down gender stereotypes. Presentations introduce children to different career options and aim to increase aspirations while also raising self-esteem and breaking down barriers. Talks are wide ranging, reflecting different employment sectors and delivered by both men and women.
Educational Visitors (experts), Visits and Tower Wood
School trips and visits are an integral part of the education of children at our school. We value the opportunities such visits offer our pupils and the commitment of staff and adults undertaking them. Trips include class visits aimed at bringing learning alive and providing first-hand experience; extra-curricular outings such as activities with the Eco Council or sporting events; and attending or taking part in performances or competitions.
Visitors also have a valuable role to play and can contribute to many aspects of the life and work of the school. They deliver talks, workshops and full day activities across a wide range of subjects, giving pupils access to outside experiences and expertise. Visitors provide a link with the wider community and are 'our experts' - children have the opportunity to work alongside artists, musicians, authors, health professionals, farmers and others.
Children in Year 5 and 6 take part in a residential visit. This is planned to provide opportunities for the children to learn about themselves, others and the environment, to try new things outside their comfort zone and make life-long memories.
Opportunities to Volunteer
Volunteering is an activity that everyone can get involved in and benefit from. At Newburgh we promote and encourage pupils’ active citizenship and positive contribution to the school and wider community. We offer lots of opportunities for pupils to take on new responsibilities and be involved in successfully supporting the life and work of the school. These include elected representatives on our School Council, Eco Council as well as the roles of P.S.H.E. and P.E. Ambassadors. Older pupils can also apply and be interviewed for positions such as Playground Leaders, Librarians, Junior Office Assistants and Nursery Assistants. Within the classroom, children can volunteer to take on various responsibilities ranging from display to corridor monitors. Pupils tell us that they enjoy the opportunity to volunteer, to help make their school an even better place to be and enjoy rising to the challenge that additional responsibility brings.