Newbridge School, Romford
Newbridge School is a special school for pupils aged 2 to 19 in Romford, part of Astrum Multi Academy Trust. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in February 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2013)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Newbridge School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Newbridge School are Little Heath School (0.6 miles, Good); Hatchside School (0.9 miles, Good); Endeavour House School (1.2 miles, Good); and SENARP Vibe Independent School (1.3 miles).
Little Heath SchoolHatchside SchoolEndeavour House SchoolSENARP Vibe Independent School
The trust
Newbridge School is one of 2 schools run by Astrum Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.
What parents say
46 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Newbridge School (as of September 2025): 94% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (98%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 10 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.
Who goes there
50% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 61.6% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (54%), Black (11%) and White British (9%).
Almost every pupil at Newbridge School has an education, health and care plan (194 of 198 in 2026). The most common need among them is a severe learning difficulty.
Newbridge School provides for pupils with visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Chadwell Heath Rail Station, about 1090 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Grove Road Little Heath (->n), 230 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 517 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Redbridge (338), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
Newbridge School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from July 2013, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's February 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Newbridge School excels at preparing children for adult life through personalized learning that combines academic skills with practical independence. Staff are well-trained and genuinely understand each child, creating a caring environment where pupils feel safe and supported. The school celebrates every child's achievements and provides enriching experiences that build confidence and real-world skills.
Key Strengths
- Staff are highly trained and build strong relationships with pupils, making them feel safe and happy
- The school is ambitious about teaching both academic skills and personal development, with personalized learning pathways for each pupil
- Communication is prioritized across all activities, helping pupils express themselves and regulate their behavior
- Reading is enthusiastically promoted from early years through sixth form, with strong phonics teaching
- Sixth form curriculum focuses on real-world skills through activities like running the school shop and supported work internships
Areas for Improvement
- Limited accreditation pathways for older students in sixth form, which reduces their progress toward employment or further education
- Need to develop more accreditation opportunities for students who are able to access them
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with robust procedures and a positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Museum visits, adventure playgrounds, musical events, pantomimes, team building scavenger hunts, sporting competitions, school shop, supported work internships at local hospital, visits to care homes, hydrotherapy swimming pool
Newbridge School is a special school serving pupils aged 2-19 with education, health and care plans. The school has maintained its outstanding standards with a strong focus on preparing pupils for independent adult life.
At a Glance
50.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Vision, Hearing, Speech and language +3
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
46 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Newbridge School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Newbridge School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Newbridge School is in Redbridge; for families living there:
Apply to Redbridge for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 34
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 34 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 30 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
14 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 Redbridge is 56 (the median across 94 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
113%
Over capacity
198 pupils
175 places
23 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Romford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Romford
Across Redbridge council
Places available
3,708
Applications
3,422
Got 1st preference
68.4%
Got preferred school
93.3%
All secondary applications across Redbridge council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
4
SEN Support
194
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Newbridge School provides for pupils with visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
198
Total Pupils
122
Boys
76
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
28
Teachers
7.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£53,915
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
20.2%
Overall absence
56.1%
Persistent absence
132
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Newbridge School
Showing 10 of 14 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Newbridge School
What are SATs results like at Newbridge School?
Of the pupils at Newbridge School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is Newbridge School's Ofsted rating?
Newbridge School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in July 2013, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Newbridge School?
No fixed boundary. When Newbridge School is oversubscribed, Redbridge allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Newbridge School?
Newbridge School has around 198 pupils on roll. 50% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Newbridge School have specialist SEN provision?
Newbridge School provides for pupils with visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at Newbridge School?
20.2% of sessions were missed at Newbridge School in 2024/25. 56.1% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Newbridge School?
Apply through Redbridge's coordinated admissions process, naming Newbridge School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Newbridge School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 34 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 30 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 14 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 Redbridge is 56 (the median across 94 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Newbridge School?
Newbridge School is at 161 Gresham Drive, Romford, Essex, RM6 4TR.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)