First steps towards love of learning.

Byline: Margaret Coates

IN the early years of a child's education the foundations are laid which lead to a lifelong love of learning. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a school which really understands young children.

NPS is definitely that school! First Steps at NPS is a wonderful, wellresourced nursery where children experience learning at its best.

A carefully-planned early years' curriculum offers activities that are exciting, helping children to learn and develop. The nursery environment is very safe and secure allowing children to feel very much 'at home' and an enclosed playground allows opportunity for great play and discovery.

From an excellent start in First Steps, the children proceed through school with each stage bringing new learning opportunities so that children grow into confident, eager learners.

The well-resourced library is in the centre of school so a love of books is nurtured. Music and Art departments are vibrant and all children benefit from the expertise of specialist teachers. ICT is a vital part of learning at NPS so all children have access to computers. French is taught throughout school along with Spanish and German and from the age of nine children enjoy Classics and an introduction to Latin.

A very recent development at NPS is the new science centre. It is very exciting to have a laboratory which is resourced and furnished especially for children of primary age. From as young as six, the laboratory is available and specialist science teachers encourage scientific enquiry using appropriate experiments and research.

It is important for children to develop in every way and so sport is also a vital component of the curriculum. A purpose-built sports hall is extremely well-resourced so that all children can take part in a range of indoor activities including gymnastics, trampolining, badminton, short tennis, basketball, uni-hoc.

The adjacent playing field is used for football, rugby, rounders and athletics. In the summer term cricket and tennis are enjoyed at local clubs so that the junior children are able to use first-class facilities.

Beyond the classroom or extending the school day there are many activities. The children at NPS enjoy day visits, residential outdoor activity weeks, ski-ing in Norway, drama productions, chess, cookery, patchwork/quilting, needle craft, art/design/technology, choir, swing band and a range of sports activities.

Underpinning all that happens at NPS is effective pastoral care. A 'buddy system' ensures that no one ever feels alone and an active School Council means that children's needs are taken seriously.

In such a warm, caring school which encourages learning in many different ways, it is not surprising that NPS children experience great success in entrance exams for senior schools and take Key Stage 2 SATs in their stride, achieving outstanding results.

However, no words can adequately describe this unique and forward-looking school so please come for a visit to see if NPS could be the right place for your child to enter the world of education. A warm welcome awaits!

Margaret Coates is head of Newcastle Prep School

CAPTION(S):

CREATIVITY Youngsters at NPS take part in a science and engineering project. PLAY TO LEARN There are numerous activities and opportunities for NPS children.