Academic

An imaginatively taught and well-balanced curriculum is appropriately tailored to the needs of the individual. The staff endeavour to bring out the best in everyone, so that academic potential is realised.

The New Hall curriculum is distinctive in its breadth and academic rigour. All students learn French from age 3, Latin from age 7 and Spanish from age 11, with one or more of these languages normally being taken at GCSE. Language-learning at New Hall is reinforced by French and Spanish exchanges and cultural trips to France and Spain.

There is a strong emphasis on separate sciences, taught by specialist teachers throughout the school. Those with particular aptitude and interest may take all three sciences at GCSE. In the Sixth Form, the curriculum is extended to include options such as government & politics, philosophy & ethics, economics, further mathematics and critical thinking. There is also the opportunity for students to undertake the 'Extended Project' - worth half a full A Level; enabling them to undertake detailed research in a topic or particular interest to them. An Oxbridge programme (OMEGA) is in operation from Year 10. Every effort is made to teach according to students’ abilities and to stretch those who are gifted and talented well beyond the demands of the public examination courses. GCSE and A Levels may be taken early.

There is an excellent track record of students achieving top grades in public examinations and successfully securing a place at their first choice university.