iCollege Alternative Provision, Newbury

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades iCollege Alternative Provision on 6 areas: 6 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils' work demonstrates progress over time from their wide and varied starting points."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders prioritise attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a broad, balanced and highly ambitious curriculum that reflects both pupils' academic development and their individual needs."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders and staff have created a well-embedded, inclusive culture."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders are inspirational in their drive to reset pupils' life chances."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate excellent strategic leadership of the school's personal development and wellbeing offer."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and those responsible for governance should continue to support staff and leadership at all levels to understand their role in sustaining consistently high standards in all areas of the school's work, using the best available evidence to drive a transformational impact for all pupils".

In its own words: "We believe that everyone should be accepted, that we are all worthy of our place and that we should all be treated fairly and with respect. We embrace and celebrate our differences; we are 'same same, but different'!"

From the headteacher's welcome: "iCollege is West Berkshire's dedicated provision for learners needing an alternative to the mainstream school environment. It is a successful and supportive educational provision with high aspirations for all learners, where learners from Reception to Post 16 can thrive."

Of the 26 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 35% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 27% to a further education college and 8% into work.

63.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 4.2% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 17 pupils (23.9%) received SEN support and 49 (69%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Newbury Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hare and Hounds (opposite), 40 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood iCollege Alternative Provision stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 77 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in West Berkshire (26), as is usual near a town centre.