Northstar New School

Northstar New School is an independent special school for pupils aged 7 to 16, all of whom have education, health and care plans. Most pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs, and many also have autism or associated learning difficulties. Following its July 2026 standard inspection, the school was judged to reach strong standard in every evaluated area: achievement; attendance and behaviour; curriculum and teaching; inclusion; leadership and governance; and personal development and wellbeing. Safeguarding standards are met. Inspectors describe a calm, nurturing and highly inclusive school where pupils who previously experienced disrupted education achieve very well academically, emotionally and socially. The school's notable strengths include high attendance and positive behaviour, a well-sequenced curriculum, strong reading and mathematics foundations, meticulous assessment of pupils' needs, and highly effective pastoral care. Pupils feel safe, take pride in their learning and develop strong friendships. Leaders and the proprietor provide determined, compassionate leadership and robust oversight, and staff feel well supported. The school has successfully developed key stage 4 provision: last summer all Year 11 pupils achieved a recognised qualification in English and mathematics, and many succeeded on vocational courses. The school has applied to extend its age range to 18, and inspectors found it likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if that change is approved. There are no graded areas of concern, and all independent school standards are met. The report's next steps are developmental: strengthening subject-specific professional learning as the curriculum expands, and further developing careers advice so pupils can make exceptionally well-informed choices. Context includes a new headteacher and newly appointed governors.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve very well academically, emotionally and socially despite significant barriers and disrupted prior education.
• Pupils produce consistently high-quality work, with tasks carefully selected to engage them while maintaining high expectations.
• Wider therapeutic support helps pupils regulate behaviour and approach new challenges successfully.
• The structured learning environment supports pupils with autism especially well.
• The school successfully developed a key stage 4 offer, with all Year 11 pupils gaining recognised English and mathematics qualifications.
• Attendance and punctuality are high because pupils want to attend and leaders are tenacious in addressing absence.
• Pupils' behaviour is very positive in lessons and around school, with calm classrooms and well-embedded routines.
• The well-sequenced curriculum secures foundations in mathematics, reading and writing and promotes strong oracy.
• Weaker readers, including those receiving home tuition, make rapid progress towards becoming confident and fluent readers.
• The school has a highly effective system for assessing pupils' needs on entry and providing individualised support from the start.
• Staff are very knowledgeable about pupils' targets and learning needs, and apply appropriate approaches consistently.
• Personal, social and emotional learning is given high priority, helping pupils develop resilience and self-regulation.
• Pastoral care is highly effective, and pupils make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
• Pupils have deep knowledge of British values, different cultures and religions, and reflect thoughtfully on social issues.
• Pupils help run enrichment activities, choose termly activities and enjoy trips and supervised gym sessions.
• A successful careers programme gives older pupils workplace visits and college talks.
• Leaders and the proprietor demonstrate a highly inclusive ethos and work with determination to get support in place quickly.
• Staff are proud to work at the school and feel very well supported through a highly effective professional development programme.
• The proprietor provides robust challenge and careful oversight of the independent school standards.
• Pupils feel safe, trust staff and know how to identify and report abuse.
• Pupils develop a strong sense of belonging, build supportive friendships and there is no culture of bullying.

Areas for Improvement

• Subject-specific pedagogy requires further development in a few areas so teaching staff continue to have the knowledge and confidence to deliver the wider curriculum consistently well as the school expands.
• The careers programme needs further development, including more tailored careers advice, so pupils can make exceptionally well-informed choices.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Northstar New School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

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What is Northstar New School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Northstar New School is Strong standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was Northstar New School last inspected by Ofsted?

Northstar New School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Northstar New School have?

Northstar New School has 21 pupils on roll.

What age range does Northstar New School cover?

Northstar New School for pupils aged 7 to 18.

Where is Northstar New School?

Northstar New School is at c/o Gascoigne Primary Annex, The Shaftesburys, Barking, IG11 7JA.