New Bridge School

New Bridge School has effectively maintained its high standards since its last inspection, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment for its diverse pupil body. The school offers extensive opportunities for developing crucial life skills, employability, and personal growth, showcasing its ambition for all learners with complex needs. With a strong emphasis on personalized education and robust support mechanisms, pupils are well-prepared for their future endeavors, including work placements that facilitate their transition to adulthood. The school prides itself on a nurturing atmosphere where pupils feel secure and valued. Staff are well-trained to adapt learning experiences to meet individual needs and utilize a variety of resources to enhance student communication and engagement. Moreover, the effective partnership with families and the community plays a significant role in bolstering pupils' attendance and overall development, confirming the school’s reputation as a supportive educational institution within the New Bridge multi-academy trust.

Strengths

• Exceptionally skilled staff support pupils to regulate their emotions and engage with learning.
• Pupils are well-mannered, polite, and engage constructively in lessons.
• Strong emphasis on employability skills and independence through tailored opportunities.
• Personalized curriculums that integrate pupils' EHC plans effectively.
• Strong culture of reading supported by targeted interventions for those struggling.
• High-quality careers education and real-world work experiences provided for pupils.

In 2024–25 pupils at New Bridge School attended 87.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 36.6% 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, 4.5% of pupils at New Bridge 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 Bridge School had 10.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2023–24, 88.7% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 16.2%).

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 Bridge School had 728 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 2024–25 New Bridge School received £25,440 and spent £23,554 for each of its 717 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £227,000 (£317 per pupil).

Across all 7 schools of New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, income was £26,842 and spending £25,065 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Oldham · Oldham local authority: places and applications

New Bridge School is part of New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, which runs 8 schools. The nearest others:

• Hollinwood Academy Oldham
• Spring Brook Academy Oldham
• The Springboard Project Oldham
• Samuel Laycock School Ashton-Under-Lyne
• Thomas Ashton School Hyde
• Hawthorns School Hyde
• Heywood Academy Rochdale

What is New Bridge School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for New Bridge School is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was New Bridge School last inspected by Ofsted?

New Bridge School was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does New Bridge School have?

New Bridge School has 728 pupils on roll.

What age range does New Bridge School cover?

New Bridge School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

Where is New Bridge School?

New Bridge School is at Roman Road, Hollinwood, Oldham, Lancashire, OL8 3PH.