Newbury Independent School

Overview

Newbury Independent School is described as a place where pupils receive a “fresh start” and rebuild resilience within a “supportive and aspirational environment.” While leadership has driven improvements in behaviour and personal development, the report states that “further steps are needed to ensure every pupil fully benefits from their education,” particularly regarding consistent knowledge acquisition across all subjects.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “respectful behaviour” and engage positively in a culture built on trust between staff, pupils, and families.
• Staff provide “caring and attentive” support for pupils with special educational needs, with one parent noting this was the “first time they felt settled at a school.”
• Core subjects like English, mathematics, and science follow a “clear and structured approach,” helping pupils build knowledge step by step.
• Personal development is strengthened through outdoor pursuits, careers guidance, and “particularly strong” work on gender issues and relationships.
• Attendance and engagement are “improving rapidly,” with pupils attending more than ever before.

Areas to improve

• The school must establish a “structured approach for teaching phonics and reading” to help pupils develop strong literacy skills.
• Curriculum implementation in humanities and foundation subjects is “poorly implemented,” preventing pupils from building knowledge progressively.
• The school must ensure all pupils “catch up on missed learning” when they return from absence or re-engage, addressing current gaps in knowledge.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”