The Newton Prep Diploma is a cross-curricular programme which is followed by our Year 7 and 8 pupils that combines the humanities subjects (Geography, History and Religious Studies) with Art and Drama so that they are taught in a thematic way.
This allows our pupils to form a deeper understanding of the complex issues, introduced through carefully chosen topics, and enables our teachers to tailor their teaching to material that is both relevant and of interest to the children. The Diploma carefully combines the very best of both worlds: it enables the children to enjoy the clear benefits of cross-curricular learning whilst still being taught by subject specialists, all of whom are hugely passionate in their respective fields.
From the very first day in Year 7, as we launch the Newton Diploma with an exciting trip into London, the children begin an exciting, academic learning journey which includes a variety of visits, workshops, residential trips and charity events. Highlights have included our Year 8 field trip to Cumbria, a ‘School Election’ and a Climate Change Conference where children and their mentors tried to come to terms with an extremely complex real-world problem.
Supplementing the academic aspect of the Diploma is citizenship and our aim for our pupils to make links with our local community. We work closely with different charities and community groups to support a range of initiatives, whilst providing our pupils with invaluable experience along the way. These ventures enable the children to become increasingly resilient, tolerant and respectful global citizens. Indeed, over the past two years we have raised over £30,000 for two homeless charities through our Year 7 sponsored sleep-out, whilst also running several initiatives with some of our local primary schools.
