The New Model School company was founded with two main aims in view: (1) to expand the market for independent schooling by keeping fees as low as possible, and (2) to provide the best possible education for all children in our schools.

These two aims are not mutually incompatible, since a good curriculum costs no more to teach than a bad one. To this end, we have concentrated on finding the best possible materials and developing the best possible pedagogy since opening our first school, Maple Walk School, in 2004.

We value knowledge for its own sake. A child who receives a good education will be in a strong position to compete for places at top universities and subsequently for well-paid jobs. However, there is more to being an educated person than earning a high salary. A good education enables people to lead richer and more fulfilled lives, with more choices before them. These choices may include working in vocational pursuits such a nursing or social work; working in the voluntary sector; or working in the creative arts. Such pursuits may not always be well paid, but they offer the possibility of satisfaction and enrichment, not only for the individual but for the wider community. For many people, their work bears little or no relation to the subjects they studied at school and university. That does not mean that their education was wasted. Our aim is to help children to achieve their full potential, whatever choices they may make later in life.

English

Reading is the gateway to knowledge. Until a child can read fluently and independently, other areas of the curriculum must remain hard to access. We therefore place great emphasis on teaching children to read as early in their school careers as possible.

We teach reading by means of synthetic phonics, the traditional method of associating letters with sounds that has been proved to be the most effective way to teach children to read, including children with learning difficulties.

Our aim is to have all children reading independently by the end of Year 1. To achieve this we need the support of parents, who are asked to read to and with their children every day. We publish online reading lists, both for independent reading and for reading to children, broken down by age, to help parents to choose appropriate books.  We are fortunate to be living at a time when children's literature is so rich and varied. Some of the modern authors on our lists have already achieved the status of classics. However, we feel it is also important to familiarise children with the traditional classics that have embedded themselves so deeply in our culture. Every child needs to go down the rabbit-hole and through the back of the wardrobe, and to know that the second star on the right points to Neverland.

Maths

Children will have opportunities to apply and develop their mathematical knowledge and understanding through a variety of classroom activities and, where appropriate, in other areas of the curriculum.  In addition to our own schemes, commercial resources will be used as a source of ideas and guidelines to progression.  Extension activities will also be provided when required.  All mathematical equipment will be made easily available to the children.  Children will be able to consider methods of recording their work for a variety of purposes such as presentation to the teacher, to the rest of the class, to the school or to parents. 

To begin with, throughout Reception and Key Stage 1, all children are given opportunities for:

• practical activities;
• problem solving;
• mathematical investigations;
• individual and whole class discussions and activities;
• using ICT where appropriate;
• learning through mathematical games.

We recognise that within each class there will be pupils of widely differing mathematical aptitudes and aim to provide suitable learning opportunities for each of them by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child.  Classroom assistants will be used to support both the most and least able so that appropriate work can be employed to match the needs of each individual child. 

As a pupil moves through Key Stage 2 towards Year 6, our aim is to develop the following essential mathematical skills:

• the ability to perform mental arithmetic calculations;
• the ability to carry out calculations without the use of a calculator;
• the ability to use mathematical instruments accurately;
• the ability to use mathematical techniques and procedures;
• the ability to apply the mathematical procedures to practical situations;
• the ability to develop logical argument to reach a conclusion. 

Above all, we believe it is important that all children should enjoy Mathematics and study it with confidence and a sense of achievement and fun.  ‘Can you do addition?' the White Queen asked. ‘What's one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one?' ‘I don't know,' said Alice. ‘I lost count.'

Science

We see science as an essential discipline for young children, and we seek to teach them the essentials of biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy.  They need to understand the workings of a variety of modern day gadgets, as well as the key ideas in science which have been established over the last 300 years.  Our emphasis is on building a clear factual understanding of everyday phenomena, combined with experimental work to stimulate children's enjoyment of the natural world.  Our aim is to leave children with a sound basis for a subsequent study of separate sciences at GCSE.

History

Understanding the history of Britain, Europe and to a lesser extent the world is vital if children are to appreciate the nature of the free and open society they are living in. Understanding the modern world is very difficult if the past is a closed book, and we believe that the best way to teach children about history is to treat the subject as a chronological narrative. Beginning with the Ancient Egyptians in Year 3, we work through to World War II by the end of Year 6, teaching about each period in a manner appropriate to the child's age. As in English, we rely on parents to help us by reading to and with their children some of the books from the history reading list, which can be accessed here.

Modern languages

We introduce pupils to spoken French at an early stage, familiarising them with basic vocabulary and good pronunciation. We will build up their ability to form simple sentences through an informal approach that will include question and answer games, nursery rhymes, and songs.

Extra-Curricular Activities

From the early years, children at the New Model School will be introduced to a range of stimulating creative activities, such as painting, craft, music and drama. During each school day there will also be opportunities for the children to enjoy fresh air and exercise, as well as time for free play.

Do you teach the National Curriculum?

We are often asked how our curriculum relates to the National Curriculum. Whilst we subscribe to the underlying principles of the National Curriculum, and believe that it contains some good things, the NMS curriculum aims to be both broader and deeper. Furthermore, we believe strongly that teachers are professional people who should be trusted to do the best for the children in their care. Whilst the NMS curriculum specifies goals, we rely on the skills, creativity and idealism of our teachers to achieve those goals in whatever way is best suited to the needs of the children in front of them.

Can you guarantee my child entry to the school of my choice?

Parents who have definite ideas about the secondary schools they wish their children to attend sometimes ask if attendance at a New Model School at primary level will guarantee entry into a particular secondary school. As our entry policy is non-selective, and as some leading independent schools operate a rigorously selective policy, we cannot guarantee entry to any particular school. However, we do aim to ensure that by the time they leave us, children will be prepared for whatever the best secondary school would be for them.