New Ways School, Kings Norton
New Ways School is an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Kings Norton. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2026, ended in a report card: 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Before that it was rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in March 2023.
- Ofsted report card
- 2 areas need attention
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
New Ways School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades New Ways School on 6 areas: 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Expected standard. "Many pupils achieve remarkably well, considering their previous challenges in engaging in education."
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Many pupils join the school with previous low attendance."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "All pupils take part in a comprehensive programme of personal development."
Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the curriculum and teaching across the school."
Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders and the proprietorial body have not ensured that the school meets all the independent school standards."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure there is an effectively implemented assessment system in all subjects so that pupils' work is regularly and thoroughly assessed, providing teachers with the information they need to plan effective teaching"; "Leaders should ensure staff, including support staff, have the skills and information that they need to provide precise and effective support so pupils learn consistently well".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for New Ways School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to New Ways School are King Edward VI High School for Girls (4.2 miles, selective); King Edward's School (4.2 miles, selective); Elmhurst Ballet School (4.6 miles); and The Blue Coat School Birmingham (4.7 miles).
King Edward VI High School for GirlsKing Edward's SchoolElmhurst Ballet SchoolThe Blue Coat School Birmingham
What parents say
12 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about New Ways School (as of April 2026): 75% would recommend the school, 67% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (67%).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at New Ways School has an education, health and care plan (44 of 44 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Northfield Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wast Hill Playing Fields (adjacent), 120 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood New Ways School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 253 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Birmingham (435).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since January 2026 for independent schools)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- InclusionExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
Safeguarding standards: met
Independent school standards
Did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
- Part 1: quality of educationNot met
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementNot met
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at New Ways School
Pupils arrive at New Ways School with barriers that have previously affected how well they engage with education. Staff, families and pupils work together to overcome these barriers. The school changes pupils' attitudes and provides the right environment and support, so pupils feel safe, re-engage with learning and are happy at school. Pupils behave well. They know that staff would deal with any bullying quickly if it were to happen. They get on with each other at social times and are calm and focused on learning in classrooms. Pupils are proud when their positive behaviour enables them to collect behaviour points and rewards, such as games and off-site visits. Pupils understand that there are times when they or their peers might find it difficult to manage their emotions. They trust staff to deal with these incidents effectively. Pupils know that every day is a new start at this school. The school provides pupils with a broad range of experiences. They visit museums and other local attractions to enhance their learning. Pupils regularly visit outdoor activity centres, where they experience canoeing and rock climbing. These activities build confidence and resilience. Pupils develop responsibility in a range of ways. For example, they may care for the school animals or prepare their own lunches. Pupils' opinions matter to the leaders, and pupils' voices are listened to through the school council. As a result, pupils' ideas have been instrumental in organising school celebrations, changing furniture and replacing outdoor surfaces for safer breaktimes. Pupils develop friendships and a sense of belonging through working together and caring for each other. The school organises wellbeing events, where ‘random acts of kindness' encourage pupils to think of others and develop empathy.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should ensure there is an effectively implemented assessment system in all subjects so that pupils' work is regularly and thoroughly assessed, providing teachers with the information they need to plan effective teaching.
- Leaders should ensure staff, including support staff, have the skills and information that they need to provide precise and effective support so pupils learn consistently well.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 24 February 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's February 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
New Ways School excels at helping pupils who have struggled with education find confidence and success. The staff create a caring, inclusive environment where behaviour is excellent and pupils genuinely want to learn. The school goes beyond academics, offering rich experiences like outdoor activities, community involvement and strong pastoral support that builds resilience and prepares pupils well for life after school.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional behaviour support with individualised behaviour plans and consistent, predictable responses from staff
- Strong attendance improvement through relentless staff support and quick response to absences
- Comprehensive personal development programme including trips, sports, arts, music and community involvement
- Highly effective pastoral support for pupils and families with positive impact on wellbeing and progress
- Inclusive culture where every pupil feels they belong and receives bespoke, ambitious support
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment systems in some subjects are at early stages and not yet providing teachers with clear information about what pupils know or need to learn
- Staff do not always have precise information needed to provide targeted support and feedback to pupils
- School has not fully met all independent school standards regarding pupil assessment frameworks
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Football team, arts, music, sports, outdoor activity centres (canoeing, rock climbing), museum visits, local attractions, school council, animal care, wellbeing events
New Ways School is an inclusive special school that successfully helps pupils with previous barriers to education re-engage with learning and achieve well. The school provides personalised support and creates an environment where pupils feel safe and belong.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
12 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with New Ways School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 9 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Birmingham is 41 (the median across 517 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
68%
Available places
44 pupils
65 places
21 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across Birmingham council
Places available
14,956
Applications
14,483
Got 1st preference
75.7%
Got preferred school
97.4%
All secondary applications across Birmingham council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
Independent School standard inspection
Did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
Independent School standard inspection
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
44
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
44
Total Pupils
30
Boys
14
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
New Ways School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about New Ways School
What are GCSE results like at New Ways School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for New Ways School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is New Ways School's Ofsted rating?
New Ways School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2023, it was rated Outstanding.
Does New Ways School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in February 2026, New Ways School did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
How many pupils go to New Ways School?
New Ways School has around 44 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to New Ways School?
New Ways School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near New Ways School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 9 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Birmingham is 41 (the median across 517 schools, same distance and years).
Where is New Ways School?
New Ways School is at 300 Redhill road, Kings Norton, Kings Norton, West Midlands, B38 9EL.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)