
Junior School Curriculum (Years 3 - 6) 2026 - 2029
Where girls learn without limits



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Junior School Curriculum (Years 3 - 6) 2026 - 2029
Where girls learn without limits



I’m delighted to share with you a window into your daughter’s educational experience at NHSG in the coming years, and explain more about our irresistible education and how girls flourish within our all-girl environment.
At Newcastle High School for Girls Junior School, we equip girls for an ever changing world, where girls think confidently and creatively. We make learning fun and exciting, and we encourage the pursuit of academic excellence through intellectual curiosity, independence of thought and openness to new ideas, promoting an enthusiasm for learning which will last a lifetime and prepare the girls for their future.
At NHSG girls will acquire, develop and apply a broad range of knowledge, understanding and skills to equip them to be the trailblazers and world shapers of tomorrow. Our classrooms are thinking spaces where the girls can engage in discussion and challenge opinions. Importantly, they develop independent thinking skills which will enable them to make sound judgements and analyse the world around them. We make use of the most up-to-date IT equipment to enhance and broaden the curriculum. Girls maximise the learning opportunities available to all through our amazing outdoor learning spaces.
This brochure will take you through the learning journey that your daughter will make throughout Years 3 - 6 at NHSG. We will challenge and support her every step of the way to be the very best she can be.

Mrs E Barnett Head of Junior School
An exceptional education for every girl.
06 NHSG Pupil Learning Characteristics
08 Year 3 and Beyond
10 Year 3 Curriculum
14 Year 4 Curriculum
16 Year 5 Curriculum
18 Year 6 Curriculum




At Newcastle High School for Girls, we want every girl to grow into a confident and ambitious young woman. Central to this are our 8 Cs — qualities that are celebrated across the School and woven through everything we do.
The 8 Cs guide how girls approach their learning, friendships, and wider school life, helping them develop the skills and character to thrive both now and in the future.
These qualities are more than words — they are part of every girl’s experience at NHSG. From academic lessons to sport, performances to leadership roles, girls live and develop the 8 Cs every day, helping them to be their very best self.
At NHSG, your daughter is encouraged to be:
• Creative – innovative and able to ‘think outside the box’
• Caring – considerate of her own needs and the needs of others
• Composed – poised and self-controlled
• Communicative – expressive and able to covey her ideas in an articulate manner
• Courageous - willing to embrace new opportunities, with the strength of character to do the right thing. Able to learn from setbacks that are encountered. Possessing a strong sense of justice and is willing to stand up for others in the face of adversity.
• Confident – self-assured and believes in her abilities
• Curious – inquisitive, with a strong desire to further her learning
• Collaborative – works effectively with others and enjoys being part of a team
At NHSG, we believe that from Year 3 onwards, girls begin to discover their independence, grow in confidence, and embrace new challenges with enthusiasm. Our carefully designed programme for Key Stage 2 builds on the solid foundations established in the earlier years, offering exciting opportunities for learning, leadership, and personal development.
From inspiring classroom experiences to enriching co-curricular activities, residential trips, and leadership roles, every aspect of life at NHSG Junior School is crafted to nurture curiosity, creativity, and courage — empowering each girl to be her best self and to thrive as part of a supportive, joyful community.

Read here about some of the exciting opportnities your daughter can look forward to in Year 3 and beyond.
At NHSG, the continuation of specialist teachers in Spanish, Sciences, PE, Performing Arts, and Music brings remarkable benefits to girls’ learning and personal development throughout Key Stage 2. Our specialist teachers possess expert knowledge and a deep passion for their subjects, which they translate into engaging and inspiring lessons.
We know that when your daughter feels happy, safe, and valued, she will thrive in everything she does. At NHSG, every pupil is supported by a caring network of staff, including her Class Teacher, Phase Leader, Deputy Head, and Head of Junior School. Together, they ensure that each girl is recognised, supported, and celebrated.
A variety of events, assemblies, and workshops throughout the year focus on wellbeing and personal development, including Phase Assemblies and sessions with visiting speakers.
We also value the important partnership between home and school. Parents are warmly invited to a range of events across the year — from Lego League competitions and Forest Activities to Carol Services, concerts, and Musical Theatre productions — providing opportunities to share in your daughter’s experiences and celebrate her achievements.
Girls at NHSG enjoy a wide range of co-curricular clubs designed to be accessible and inclusive for all. Every girl is encouraged to take part, exploring creative interests, sport, and problem-solving activities that develop skills, confidence, and teamwork.
From Year 3, your daughter will begin taking part in regular friendly and competitive sports fixtures with local schools. These occasions help her to grow as a team player, build resilience, and nurture a lifelong love of sport.
As she progresses through Key Stage 2, she will also have the opportunity to represent NHSG at GDST sporting events and rallies — exciting occasions that connect her with pupils from across the Trust.
As part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) family, NHSG Junior School girls have access to a wide range of exciting academic and co-curricular experiences that enrich life at school. From Maths challenges to Shakespeare performances at the Globe in London, our pupils can explore new interests, stretch their talents, and gain unforgettable experiences. Alongside these, there are numerous sporting opportunities and GDST-wide events that allow girls to connect, compete, and collaborate with peers from schools across the country.

From Year 3, your daughter will enjoy her first residential school trip, spending two nights away from home with her friends and teachers. These experiences will help her to develop life skills such as resilience, independence, and confidence, while creating happy memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
Current destinations include Robinwood for Years 3 and 4, Edinburgh for Year 5, and London for Year 6 pupils.
In addition to residential trips, each Year Group takes part in regular day visits to museums and places of local and regional interest, including York — enriching the curriculum and extending learning beyond the classroom.
Leadership begins early at NHSG. Throughout Junior School, girls are encouraged to take on positions of responsibility and join various leadership groups to represent their peers and influence school life.
These opportunities allow your daughter to develop communication and collaboration skills, build confidence, and take initiative. Whether she is helping to organise charity events, running assemblies, or planning competitions, she’ll learn what it means to lead with purpose and compassion — qualities that will serve her well throughout her education and beyond.
At NHSG, we ensure that the move from Junior to Senior School is a seamless and positive experience, both academically and pastorally. From Year 3 onwards, girls begin to develop a natural familiarity with our Senior School environment.
• In Years 3 and 4, girls start Wednesday mornings at Senior School for a PE lesson, giving them opportunity to explore new environments.
• In Year 5 girls spend a full morning at Senior School on a Thursday with lessons in PE, Science and Spanish to help build their confidence and independence as they adapt to new routines and experiences.
• By Year 6, the girls stay at Senior School for a full day each Friday with lessons from Junior School and Senior School staff all designed to ensure a smooth transition into Senior School life. Their lessons include PE, Science and Spanish with specialist teaching staff. The girls also meet their House Family each Friday morning, getting to know girls across Senior School.
Through this thoughtful, progressive approach, our girls move confidently into Year 7 already feeling at home and more than ready to step into their next stage of their educational journey at NHSG.

Year 3 provides a rich, creative curriculum designed to develop confidence, curiosity and independence, preparing your daughter for the challenges ahead.
English
In Year 3, your daughter will continue to build her skills in reading, writing and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG).
• Reading
In Lower Key Stage 2, your daughter will read aloud, visit the library, and develop skills like skimming, scanning, deduction, and inference. She’ll discuss texts, express preferences, and explore varied reading materials. Key skills include decoding complex words, expressive reading, questioning, summarising, inferring, identifying language effects, and recognising poetry forms.
• Writing
In Year 3, your daughter will write fiction and non-fiction, inspired by quality literature. She’ll learn to structure stories, develop pace, and create suspense through discussion and modelling. Drama and role play enhance imagination. Non-fiction focuses on paragraphs and impersonal language. Planning, reviewing, and editing are key writing skills that are developed across the year.
• Spelling Punctuation and Grammar
In Year 3, your daughter will consolidate Key Stage 1 skills while extending grammar and spelling knowledge. She’ll use multi-clause sentences, punctuate speech with inverted commas, and analyse writing. New concepts include conjunctions, prepositions, and clauses. Spelling patterns become more complex, supported by weekly lists on Showbie and Spelling Shed.
Mathematics
In Lower Key Stage 2, mathematics focuses on mastering the four operations –(addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) using both mental strategies and written methods. In Year 3, your daughter will learn standard column methods for addition and subtraction, written methods for multiplication and division, and develop fluency in 3×, 4×, and 8× tables, including related division facts, through weekly timed tests. She will consolidate place value up to 1,000, compare and order numbers, and count in multiples. Other areas include fractions (equivalent fractions, tenths, simple addition/ subtraction), measurement (length, weight, money, time), geometry (2D/3D shapes, angles, lines), and data handling (bar charts, tables, pictograms).
Your daughter will explore science through investigation and experimentation, developing curiosity and understanding of everyday phenomena. She will ask questions, plan and conduct fair tests, make observations, take measurements, record and present data, and draw conclusions. Year 3 topics include plants, the human body, rocks and soils, light, forces, and magnets, with lessons focused on practical, hands-on scientific enquiry to build skills and enthusiasm for future learning.
In Year 3, computing develops your daughter’s problemsolving and programming skills. She will debug programs, decompose problems, use logical reasoning to understand algorithms, and explore computer networks for communication. She will learn to use technology safely and creatively, selecting and combining software to design, create, and present data and content.
Your daughter will develop e-safety skills, learning acceptable online behaviour and how to report concerns. She will use search technologies effectively, use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly, and identify multiple ways to report inappropriate content or contact to someone she trusts.
Your daughter will develop a passion for Spanish and its culture, speaking confidently with good pronunciation. She will listen, respond, ask and answer questions, and read and write short phrases. Learning is enhanced through songs, games, role play, poems, and stories, while exploring Spanish/Hispanic culture and using bilingual dictionaries.
In PSHE and RSHE, your daughter will receive ageappropriate lessons to build confidence, develop healthy lifestyles, understand relationships, and respect differences. She will explore problem-solving, effective communication, trust, bullying, digital safety, and road safety. Lessons cover British values, children’s rights, local democracy, budgeting, and career awareness. Topics include Health and Wellbeing, Family and Relationships, Safety and the Changing Body, Citizenship, and Economic Wellbeing. Through practical activities, discussions, and reflection, she will learn to make safe, responsible choices, contribute positively to her community, and understand the impact of her actions on herself and others.

In Year 3 Geography, your daughter will develop a deeper understanding of the world and key geographical skills. She will investigate places, using maps, atlases, globes, and fieldwork to study physical and human features locally, in the UK, and across Europe. She will explore patterns, including hemispheres, the Equator, Tropics, time zones, and changes over time. She will communicate geographically, describing physical features like rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the water cycle, as well as human features such as settlements and land use, using compass points, grid references, symbols, and keys to present her knowledge effectively.
History
In Year 3 History, your daughter will develop skills to become an investigative, discerning historian. She will use evidence to ask and answer questions, evaluate sources, and describe differing historical accounts. She will understand chronology, compare Ancient Egypt with Britain, and study the Anglo-Saxons, Scots, and Vikings, using key historical vocabulary to communicate knowledge creatively.
Art
In Art, your daughter will develop skills, knowledge, and creativity to express ideas and experiences visually and tactilely. She will experiment with pencil techniques, shading, light and shadow, shapes, colour theory, patterns, printing, and clay modelling. Lessons encourage imagination, critical reflection, cultural appreciation, and enjoyment of the visual arts, fostering both personal expression and technical confidence.
In Design Technology, your daughter will develop practical, creative, and problem-solving skills through designing and making within themed projects. She will work individually and in groups, focusing on designing, making, evaluating, and understanding technical knowledge. Skills include researching user needs, generating ideas, using prototypes, selecting tools and materials, assembling products, applying finishing techniques, evaluating outcomes, and exploring mechanical systems. Emphasis is placed on creativity, sustainability, and real-world problem solving, with reflection and critique throughout, enabling her to develop functional, aesthetically appealing products while building technical confidence and collaborative skills.
In Lower Key Stage 2 Music, your daughter will perform solo and in groups, using voice and instruments with accuracy, control, and expression. She will improvise and compose music, create patterns and accompaniments, and use digital tools. She will read basic notation, recognise notes and rhythms, describe music using musical vocabulary, and appreciate a wide range of live and recorded music, developing aural memory, historical understanding, and the ability to evaluate and express preferences in music. Skills include singing in tune, playing with control, composing melodies, creating sound effects, and analysing music’s mood, texture, and structure.
In Lower Key Stage 2 Religious Studies, your daughter will deepen her knowledge of Christianity, including beliefs, practices, and festivals such as Christmas and Easter, and study at least two other major religions. She will explore religious teachings, artefacts, buildings, symbolism, and values, reflecting on personal experiences, moral dilemmas, and the influence of beliefs on behaviour, while asking thoughtful, open-ended questions.
Your daughter will develop a broad range of physical skills, linking movements and sequences while enjoying collaboration and competition. She will practise running, jumping, throwing, and catching, play modified competitive games, improve strength, flexibility, balance, and technique, and take part in outdoor challenges. She will evaluate her progress to achieve personal bests. In swimming, she will learn to swim confidently over 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue, building water safety awareness alongside physical competence.
In Lower Key Stage 2 Dance and Drama, your daughter will develop movement, posture, coordination, and expressive performance skills. She will learn, retain, and compose sequences individually and in groups, often linked to curriculum topics, and perform at school events. She will also evaluate performances constructively using appropriate language.
In Year 3, your daughter will have the opportunity to take part in so many exciting events with her peers outside of the classroom, including:
• Weekly swimming lessons
• The Junior School Musical
• Year 3 Movie Night
• A residential trip to Robinwood
• A trip to York
• The Carol Service
• The Christmas Family Forest event
• Non-selective clubs that are open to all
• Sporting festivals and fixtures

Year 4 provides a rich and varied curriculum designed to develop your daughter’s confidence, independence, and enthusiasm for learning, preparing her for the next stage of her education.
English
In Year 4, your daughter will continue to develop her skills in reading, writing, and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG).
• Reading
Girls take part in Accelerated Reader, reading daily for 30 minutes, and choose books from the library with guidance from their teacher. Emphasis is on independent reading, reading for pleasure, and discussing texts to enhance comprehension.
• Writing
Fiction writing focuses on clear narrative structures and character development. Drama and role-play help girls empathise with characters. Non-fiction writing emphasises formal structures and impersonal writing. Planning, reviewing, and editing are encouraged.
• Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
Girls extend sentence structures using fronted adverbials and commas, punctuate direct speech, and use apostrophes for possession. New word classes (pronouns, possessive pronouns, determiners) are introduced, alongside spelling patterns and rules.
Mathematics
By the end of Year 4, pupils are expected to know all times tables up to 12x12 and related division facts. They develop skills in number and place value, calculations, fractions, measurements, shape and position, and graph/ data handling. Roman numerals, decimals, and two-step problems are also taught.
In Year 4 your daughter will investigate scientific questions, make predictions, and test ideas. Girls learn to use practical methods, record and analyse data, and draw conclusions. Year 4 topics include classifying living things, the human body (teeth), states of matter, sound, the digestive system, and electricity.
Girls continue to build programming and problem-solving skills, using sequence, selection, repetition, and variables. They learn to debug, use software creatively, and stay safe online, recognising acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
Your daughter continues her study of Spanish, developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through songs, games, role-play, poems, and stories, while learning more about Hispanic cultures.
PSHE and RSHE
Lessons focus on confidence, citizenship, healthy lifestyles, and relationships. Topics include Health and Wellbeing, Family and Relationships, Safety and the Changing Body, Citizenship, and Economic Wellbeing.
Girls explore physical and human features of the UK and Europe, use maps, atlases, and fieldwork, and study geographical patterns, including the Equator, Tropics, and time zones. They learn about physical geography, human geography, and environmental issues, including Italy as a case study.

History
Pupils develop investigative skills, understanding chronology, diversity, and cause and effect. Year 4 topics include the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain, castles (local history), and the Mayan civilisation.
Art
Art encourages observation, creativity, and personal expression. Girls develop shading techniques, composition, colour mixing, patterns, printing, felt-making, and sewing skills using a variety of materials and textures.
Design and Technology
Girls design, make, and evaluate products, working individually and in groups. They consider aesthetics, functionality, mechanical systems, and sustainability, using annotated sketches and prototypes.
Music
Your daughter will perform and compose music using voice, instruments, and digital tools. She will learn notation, understand musical elements, and evaluate music using appropriate vocabulary.
Religious Studies
Girls study major world religions, exploring beliefs, practices, festivals, and moral questions. They reflect on personal experiences and values, and discuss how beliefs influence behaviour.
Physical Education
PE develops running, jumping, throwing, catching, flexibility, strength, and coordination. Girls participate in team sports, outdoor challenges, and swimming, focusing on personal improvement and safety.
Performing Arts
Specialist teaching develops dance and drama skills. Girls perform, compose sequences, respond creatively to stimuli, and provide constructive feedback.

Year 5 is a year of expanding independence, creativity, and critical thinking, where your daughter will deepen her skills across all subjects, explore more complex ideas, and begin to apply her knowledge with greater confidence and sophistication.
In Year 5, your daughter will continue to develop her English skills across reading, writing, and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG).
• Reading
Your daughter will encounter a wider range of texts and learn to read like a writer, noticing how authors create effects. She will have a weekly library session to select books based on her own preferences and will continue to use Accelerated Reader to track her independent reading.
• Writing
Your daughter will analyse authors’ writing styles, develop her own ‘voice’, and focus on reader engagement. Non-fiction writing will emphasise clear structure and paragraph cohesion. She will plan, review, and edit her work, responding to feedback.
• Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
Focus areas include:
• Using brackets, dashes, and commas to indicate parenthesis.
• Varying sentence structure for clarity and impact.
• Securing and extending spelling patterns; exploring word origins and evolving meanings.
Mathematics
In Upper Key Stage 2, your daughter will build on number facts and multiplication tables to tackle larger and more complex problems, including fractions, decimals, and larger numbers. Practice at home will support her confidence.
Year 5 introduces more abstract scientific concepts, helping your daughter predict and explain phenomena. She will learn how scientific understanding develops over time and conduct fair tests to draw conclusions.
Building on prior skills, Year 5 focuses on programming, problem-solving, and understanding networks. She will design, write, and debug programs, and use software to collect, analyse, and present information. E-safety is integrated throughout, teaching her to navigate online environments safely and responsibly.
Year 5 encourages confident, creative use of language and cultural awareness. Your daughter will speak, read, and write with increasing independence, participate in role-play and discussions, and explore songs, games, and texts to develop vocabulary, grammar, and cultural understanding.
Your daughter will explore health, relationships, and citizenship, developing confidence, resilience, and understanding of the wider world. Topics include wellbeing, family and friendships, online safety, puberty, first aid, financial awareness, and community responsibility.
In Year 5, your daughter will investigate places, patterns, and geographical communication. She will learn about physical and human geography, map skills, fieldwork, and global interconnections, gaining a deeper understanding of how the world works and how regions and communities interact.
In Year 5, History teaching encourages investigative and critical thinking. Your daughter will study Ancient Greece, Victorian children and education, and Mary Queen of Scots, analysing sources, understanding chronology, and communicating historical knowledge effectively.
Year 5 art focuses on creativity, critical thinking, and technical skill. Your daughter will explore drawing, painting, print, and 3D work, experimenting with perspective, texture, colour, and materials while developing independent creative expression.
Year 5 DT develops practical problem-solving and innovation. Your daughter will design and make products, considering user needs, sustainability, and aesthetic qualities, and evaluate her work, learning about materials, mechanical systems, and real-world applications.
Year 5 music combines performing, composing, transcribing, and listening. Your daughter will sing and play instruments with accuracy and expression, create and refine compositions, read musical notation, and develop an appreciation of music from different traditions and historical contexts.
Your daughter will explore beliefs, practices, and values across religions, reflecting on her own identity and moral understanding. She will learn to respect differing views and develop skills to express her ideas thoughtfully.
Year 5 PE focuses on refining fundamental movement skills, competitive games, gymnastics, athletics, and outdoor challenges. Swimming development includes competency, stroke technique, and self-rescue skills, while overall focus is on fitness, coordination, and personal achievement.
Year 5 performing arts develops dance and drama skills, creativity, and performance confidence. Your daughter will compose and perform sequences, respond to music and stimuli, and evaluate her own and others’ performances.
In Year 6, your daughter will consolidate and extend her knowledge and skills across all areas of the curriculum, preparing her for the transition to Senior School. She will engage with more complex concepts, take greater responsibility for her learning, and develop independence, creativity, and critical thinking in every subject.
Your daughter will explore high-quality literature, including complex texts, and learn to analyse narrative structure, language, and authorial techniques. Writing will focus on developing her own voice, manipulating structure to create effect, and using cohesive devices and technical vocabulary. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar lessons will reinforce grammar and punctuation knowledge, including semi-colons, colons, hyphens, word classes, and active/passive voice, while exploring the history of English. Opportunities for non-written communication, such as presentations, debates, drama, and filmmaking, will also enhance her expressive skills.
Year 6 Mathematics builds on previous knowledge, tackling larger numbers, complex fractions and decimals, percentages, algebra, and ratio and proportion. Skills include using place value, mental and written calculation methods, factors and multiples, prime numbers, shape and measurement, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Regular practice of multiplication tables and mental maths targets supports fluency.
Your daughter will explore abstract scientific concepts and develop investigative skills. Topics include light and sound, the human body, micro-organisms, evolution, properties of materials, and electricity. She will plan and carry out experiments, record and analyse data, draw conclusions, and evaluate evidence.
Year 6 computing develops practical programming and problem-solving skills. Your daughter will design, write, and debug programs, use variables, sequence, selection, and repetition, and work with input/output. She will understand networks, collaborate using technology, and develop digital literacy and online safety, evaluating content critically and behaving responsibly online.
Your daughter will continue to develop spoken and written communication skills, build vocabulary, and gain confidence in expressing opinions and preferences. Lessons explore culture, customs, grammar, and language skills through songs, games, role play, and discussions.
The curriculum supports personal development, healthy lifestyles, relationships, safety, financial awareness, identity, and citizenship. Your daughter will explore topics including puberty, online safety, first aid, human rights, diversity, money management, career awareness, and wellbeing.
Year 6 geography develops understanding of places, patterns, and geographical communication. Your daughter will investigate physical and human features, understand global interconnections, use maps, grid references, and compass points, and study North and South America alongside other global locations.

History lessons focus on developing investigative skills, critical thinking, and understanding continuity, change, and diversity in the past. Year 6 topics include Stone Age to Iron Age Britain, crime and punishment, and London through the ages. Your daughter will analyse sources, understand context and propaganda, and communicate historical knowledge effectively.
Art
Art encourages creativity, independence, and critical thinking. Year 6 focuses on drawing, proportion, perspective, colour, texture, digital techniques, printmaking, 3D forms, and collaborative projects.
Design Technology develops problem-solving, research, planning, making, evaluating, and understanding functional and aesthetic qualities of materials and products. Girls design, make, and evaluate products, working individually and in groups. They consider aesthetics, functionality, mechanical systems, and sustainability, using annotated sketches and prototypes.
Your daughter will perform and compose music, developing accuracy, control, expression, and aural memory. She will learn notation, harmony, rhythm, and digital composition, and develop skills to appraise and describe music across cultures and contexts.
Year 6 RS extends knowledge of Christianity and other major religions, focusing on beliefs, practices, lifestyles, values, and personal reflection. Your daughter will compare faiths, explore ethical questions, and consider the impact of religion on individuals and communities.
Physical education develops coordination, strength, balance, and teamwork. Your daughter will participate in competitive games, athletics, gymnastics, outdoor challenges, swimming, and water safety.
Performing Arts enhances dance and drama skills, expressive movement, performance confidence, and evaluation of one’s own and others’ work.

For all enquiries please contact our Admissions Manager on 0191 201 6511 or via email admissions@ncl.gdst.net
Junior School
Chapman House
Sandyford Park
Sandyford
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1TA
0191 285 1956
newcastlehigh.gdst.net