To go alongside our spacious classrooms, each of which has a fully interactive whiteboard or TV, we have three science laboratories which demonstrate our hands-on “do, not just study” approach to the teaching of science. This approach allows our pupils to experience science to its fullest extent, undertaking experiments and investigations often. Children from Year 3 onwards have their science lessons in one of the labs. Each laboratory is equipped with a collegiate-style area of tiered seating for demonstration and teaching purposes as well as modular benches for practical work.
In order to support our aim of instilling a love of language and literature in all Newton Prep pupils, we have two libraries, one each for the Upper and Lower Schools, and two dedicated librarians who regularly update the catalogue of over 20,000 books. Our libraries are wonderfully inviting spaces for our pupils to explore new worlds; children love to come into the libraries either during their timetabled lessons or at break or lunch times.
We have three ICT suites, each equipped with fully networked PCs for whole class computing lessons and for use in other subjects when required. In addition to this, we have multiple class sets of iPADs, ChromeBooks and laptops which are used as invaluable teaching and learning resources across the full range of the curriculum.
Creative facilities
Our pupils are lucky to be able to study Art in two fully-equipped and spacious Art Studios. We have two specialist art teachers and an Art Teaching Assistant. The children can work on large-scale projects and they use a variety of media. Children’s artwork is displayed around the school, as we are keen to celebrate and profile their creative work.
Our Auditorium, which seats over 300 people, provides a superb space for whole school assemblies, plays, concerts and visiting speakers. The Recital Hall is a more intimate venue, seating 120, and is used for choir, instrumental and poetry recitals, as well as smaller-scale concerts. Both spaces are used regularly by our pupils. They enhance the children’s educational experience of Drama and Music in particular. In addition, we have two large bespoke Music Rooms, a Music Technology Suite, equipped with a number of Macs, thirteen small Music Practice Rooms, which are used for individual music lessons, and a Drama Studio.
Sports facilities
At Newton Prep we have a large 70m x 40m, floodlit Astroturf pitch which can be split into a variety of different spaces, including two 7-a-side football or hockey pitches, four 5-a-side pitches and four full-size netball courts.
This means that we do not have to ‘bus’ the children to other sporting venues, which can eat into valuable lesson time. Inside, we have a Sports Hall, containing three cricket nets and a bespoke gymnastics hall (including wall bars and air track). There is an additional multi-activity hall, a Dance Studio and a Physical Health Zone (used by our oldest pupils), complete with rowing machines, treadmills and bikes.
