At Newtown School, we believe that all children deserve a high-quality early years education that will prepare them for success in life. Our intent is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can develop their skills and knowledge across all areas of learning, including those specified in the new skills curriculum designed for Newtown School pupils. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment based on our school values of caring curiosity and courage, where all children can thrive. 

Our new skills curriculum focuses on eight skills which our children will achieve when they finish reception. These are: 

• To become a curious learner 

• To take care of themselves 

• To follow a recipe to make a pizza 

• To tell a story  

• To draw a self portrait 

• To sew a hand puppet 

• To draw a map 

• To plan a celebration  

We believe that these skills are essential for children to succeed in early years and to prepare them for a successful start in Key Stage One. We have created a aspirational curriculum which aims to challenge all pupils in terms of skills, vocabulary and wonder.   

When planning for knowledge and skills on a termly basis, we have use the non-statutory guidance Development Matters, to ensure our curriculum has a breadth and depth of coverage. This guidance sets out the pathways of children's development in broad ages and stages. It also provides guidance on how to create a rich and stimulating learning environment for children. 

We believe that high-quality interactions are essential for children's learning and development. Our staff are trained to interact with children in a way that is responsive, supportive, and challenging. We also provide children with opportunities to interact with each other, as this helps them to develop their social and communication skills. 

The new curriculum focus on skills includes the following: 

• Communication and language:  We will help children to develop their communication and language skills by providing them with opportunities to talk, listen, read, and write in a variety of contexts. 

• Critical thinking and problem-solving:  We will help children to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging them to ask questions, explore ideas, and find solutions to challenges. 

• Collaboration:  We will help children to develop their collaboration skills by providing them with opportunities to work together on tasks and projects. 

• Creativity and imagination: We will help children to develop their creativity and imagination by providing them with opportunities to engage in creative activities, such as art, music, and dance. 

• Digital literacy:  We will help children to develop their digital literacy skills by introducing them to technology and teaching them how to use it safely and effectively. 

• Resilience and perseverance: We help children to develop their resilience and perseverance skills by teaching them how to cope with setbacks and challenges. 

• Self-awareness and self-management:  We help children to develop their self-awareness and self-management skills by teaching them about their emotions, how to regulate them, and how to make choices. 

• Curiosity and exploration:  We help children to develop their curiosity and exploration skills by providing them with opportunities to learn about the world around them and to ask questions. 

To find out more about our curriculum please look at the links below.