Newbury College, Newbury
Newbury College is a post-16 school for pupils aged 14 to 99 in Newbury. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, ended in a report card: 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Before that it was rated Requires improvement at its last graded inspection, in March 2023.
- Ofsted report card
- 2 areas need attention
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Newbury College in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Newbury College 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.
Contribution to meeting skills needs - Expected standard. "Leaders understand clearly the skills needs, employment priorities and education landscape in the region from their work with employers and stakeholders."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "Learners and apprentices feel very welcomed and cared for because of the inclusive culture leaders and staff have created."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have a very clear vision to provide high-quality education and training that prepares learners and apprentices well for their next steps and careers."
Achievement - Expected standard. "Learners, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make appropriate progress and most achieve their qualifications."
Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of their curriculums."
Participation and development - Needs attention. "Leaders set high expectations for learners' behaviours."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should improve the quality of teaching and assessment in GCSE English and mathematics, so that young learners close the gaps in their knowledge and make the progress of which they are capable"; "Leaders should further improve the attendance of young learners"; "Leaders should make sure that staff set, review and adjust the targets of learners particularly those with high needs on vocational courses at levels 2 and 3, so that they make the progress of which they are capable"; "Leaders should change the timing of the careers information, advice and guidance young learners receive so they have plenty of time to make well considered decisions about their next steps".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Newbury College in its own words
Coming up: an open day on Monday 2 November 2026 at 10am and an open day on Tuesday 9 March 2027 at 4pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in West Berkshire
Open days on the school's site (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Where pupils go next
Of the 390 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 14% went on to university or other higher education, 9% to apprenticeships and 41% into work.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Newbury Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newbury College campus (on), 100 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 90 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in West Berkshire (26), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE destination measures; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 7 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- Contribution to meeting skills needsExpected standard
- InclusionExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- Participation and developmentNeeds attention
Safeguarding standards: met
By type of provision
| Provision | Curriculum, teaching and training | Achievement | Participation and development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education programmes for young people | Needs attention | Expected standard | Needs attention |
| Adult learning programmes | Expected standard | Expected standard | Expected standard |
| Apprenticeships | Expected standard | Expected standard | Expected standard |
| Provision for learners and apprentices with high needs | Needs attention | Expected standard | Expected standard |
Contribution to meeting skills needs: Expected standard
Source: Ofsted, further education and skills inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should improve the quality of teaching and assessment in GCSE English and mathematics, so that young learners close the gaps in their knowledge and make the progress of which they are capable.
- Leaders should further improve the attendance of young learners.
- Leaders should make sure that staff set, review and adjust the targets of learners particularly those with high needs on vocational courses at levels 2 and 3, so that they make the progress of which they are capable.
- Leaders should change the timing of the careers information, advice and guidance young learners receive so they have plenty of time to make well considered decisions about their next steps.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 24 March 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Newbury College creates a genuinely inclusive environment where all learners feel valued and supported to overcome barriers to learning. The college works closely with local employers to provide relevant, practical training that prepares young people and adults for real careers - from heat pump maintenance to sports industry leadership. Teaching is particularly strong in vocational subjects like engineering, sports and beauty therapy, where learners develop impressive hands-on skills.
Key Strengths
- Strong inclusive culture where learners feel welcomed and well cared for with prompt identification of support needs
- Excellent employer engagement and curriculum design that meets local skills priorities, including heat pump installation and specialist engineering training
- Expert teaching in most subjects, particularly engineering, sports and beauty therapy, with learners developing high-level practical skills
- Leaders and governors have clear vision and are committed to continuous improvement with well-considered strategies
- Strong progression outcomes with most learners moving to further education, employment or training
Areas for Improvement
- GCSE English and mathematics teaching not helping learners close knowledge gaps sufficiently to improve on previous attainment
- Careers information and guidance scheduled too late in the academic year, leaving learners unprepared for next steps decisions
- Attendance in GCSE English and mathematics below expected levels due to mental health challenges and transport issues
- Teachers not using targets set for learners consistently to help them achieve full potential
- Need to improve how online adult learners' needs are identified
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed, making learners safer and helping them feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Crochet and knitting clubs, cooking groups, fundraising activities, European sports tours, work experience placements, employer visits
Newbury College is a further education provider offering courses for young people, apprentices and adults across engineering, sports, healthcare, and other vocational areas. The college has established an inclusive culture and responds well to regional skills needs through employer partnerships.
About
Newbury College is a college of further education in the southern outskirts of Newbury, Berkshire, England, for anyone aged 16 or over.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Special Measures
Sixth Form Performance (A-Level)
A-Level Results
E+
Average grade
12.5
Points per entry
U
Best 3 A-Levels
0%
Achieving AAB+
Well below average
Value added
8
A-Level students
2024/25 academic year
A-Level Subjects Offered
2024/25 academic year - entries by number of students
After A-Levels - Leaver Destinations
After A-Levels (Year 13) - 390 students
2023/24 data
University & Higher Education Destinations
0%
Top-third university
20%
Degree course
31%
Any L4+ destination
1%
Apprenticeships
Based on 158 students completing 16-18 study
2022/23 cohort - "Top-third" = most selective third of UK universities by student intake
Keep up with Newbury College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 0
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, 4 serious and 7 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
3 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 West Berkshire is 3 (the median across 99 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
Area Demand Pressure - Newbury
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Newbury
Across West Berkshire council
Places available
2,143
Applications
1,680
Got 1st preference
94.9%
Got preferred school
99.0%
All secondary applications across West Berkshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(12)
Further education and skills inspection (renewed framework)
Further education and skills inspection
Questions parents ask about Newbury College
What is Newbury College's Ofsted rating?
Newbury College's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 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 Requires Improvement.
What is the catchment area for Newbury College?
No fixed boundary. When Newbury College is oversubscribed, West Berkshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How do I apply to Newbury College?
Apply through West Berkshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Newbury College 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 Newbury College?
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, 4 serious and 7 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 3 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 West Berkshire is 3 (the median across 99 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Newbury College?
Newbury College is at Monks Lane, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 7TD.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)