Newtown School was founded in 1798 by the Religious Society of Friends and welcomes students of all religious persuasions and none.
What makes Newtown School different from other schools is the fact that Quaker education is not only concerned with examination results, but with experiences that are not measurable, the discovery of true self, nurturing confidence, independence and respect.
Quakers believe that there is that of God in every person and this belief impacts on the way we approach the education of our students in Newtown School.
Based on Quaker ethos our core beliefs include:
At Newtown School we teach a set of values that reflects a balance between the spiritual and material aspects of life. In such an environment encouragement is more desirable than negative criticism. All members of our school community are of value and worthy of respect and the school tries to convey this, hoping that all both realise this and behave accordingly.
Every student is empowered to achieve his or her academic potential and is encouraged to uphold a sense of caring for others extending to the wider community. Within this caring community the school provides a sound liberal education for life, preparing our students for the environment they will meet in their future lives and careers.
At Newtown School we are committed to a mixed ability intake and to fostering adaptability, self-motivation, confidence and a sense of responsibility among all our students and staff.
Attitudes to discipline, work, games and general school life all arise from the central aims of caring for one another. School rules need to be seen to be relevant to the harmonious development of everyone and yet allow some flexibility. Encouragement to act responsibly is of the greatest importance and it is valuable for all children to be given responsibility appropriate to their maturity.
The intention is that staff find their work rewarding and despite the growing pressures of modern school life there should always be time for staff and students to talk together and work together, inside and outside the classroom. The individual attention that is required if we are to care for all our students implies the personal interest of the staff and recognition must be made for the demands that this makes on them.
In a rapidly changing world, education must concern itself more and more with the type of student it is producing rather than the actual content to be studied. Adaptability, confidence, the courage to make changes where they are necessary and above all the ability to get on with other people are amongst the qualities that Newtown School fosters in its students.
We must move increasingly towards an education that is based upon practical experience. While good examination results are always desirable and offer students paths into the future, they are of little use unless the students have gained the qualities necessary to explore those paths with independence and courage.
Therefore we should prepare our leavers for all aspects of life and not concentrate exclusively upon their academic requirements.