New Woodlands School

New Woodlands School has successfully maintained the standards established during its previous inspection, focusing on the social and emotional health of pupils. The staff are dedicated to ensuring that students receive support to regulate their behavior and thrive in a positive learning environment. While the approach to personal development and high expectations for further education are commendable, the school faces challenges with a small number of persistent absentees, which diminishes the benefits of the quality education provided to all students.

Strengths

• Strong focus on pupils' social and emotional health.
• Positive relationships between staff and pupils.
• Teachers adapt lessons to meet individual pupils' needs.
• Effective support from therapists and external professionals.
• Well-structured curriculum enhancing pupils' learning over time.
• Successful efforts to improve attendance for many pupils.
• Courses leading to recognized certificates and awards.

Areas for Improvement

• A small number of pupils are persistently absent, impacting overall attendance.

In 2024–25 pupils at New Woodlands School attended 84.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 50.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 35.0% of pupils at New Woodlands School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 New Woodlands School had 6.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 New Woodlands School had 101 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 New Woodlands School received £32,382 and spent £43,433 for each of its 101 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £1,394,000 (-£13,798 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is New Woodlands School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for New Woodlands School is Good, from an inspection in January 2025.

When was New Woodlands School last inspected by Ofsted?

New Woodlands School was last inspected in January 2025.

How many pupils does New Woodlands School have?

New Woodlands School has 101 pupils on roll.

What age range does New Woodlands School cover?

New Woodlands School for pupils aged 5 to 16.

What are New Woodlands School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is New Woodlands School?

New Woodlands School is at Shroffold Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 5PD.