Newlands Junior School, Mansfield

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Newlands Junior School on 6 areas: 2 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), develop the strong learning foundations needed in reading, writing and mathematics to confidently access the wider curriculum and achieve extremely well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Many pupils are disadvantaged, face barriers to their learning and wellbeing or are known to social care."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "The school sits at the heart of its community."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate, strategic view of the curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are experienced and knowledgeable."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure continued improvement to their curriculum implementation, particularly in the foundations of writing, to achieve and sustain strong standards of teaching which have a transformational impact on the achievement of all pupils, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities"; "Leaders should continue the work to analyse more closely the attendance of different groups of pupils, to identify priorities more accurately and to continue to improve their attendance so that it returns to levels consistently above the national average for all pupils"; "Leaders, including governors, should continue the meaningful opportunities to collaborate with local partners. They should develop further their knowledge, insight and expertise so that they conduct their role consistently effectively and so rapidly ensure at least high standards across any of the areas of school where this is not yet the case".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Newlands has been serving the community since 1966, setting high expectations for all pupils. Our aim is to see motivated, well-cared for children and adults working together to achieve their personal best in all areas of school life through a stimulating, broad curriculum. We strive to offer the best possible teaching and support both to our children and their families."

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Newlands Junior School reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Nottinghamshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 87% in reading and 87% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

Across Nottinghamshire, 99% of families were offered their first-choice primary school for 2026 entry, and 100% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Nottinghamshire lodged 239 appeals against primary school offers; 149 reached a hearing and 13 succeeded (8.7% of those heard).

The nearest other state primary schools to Newlands Junior School are John T Rice Infant and Nursery School (0.2 miles, Good); Samuel Barlow Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 41% reading, 38% maths); Holly Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 85% reading, 88% maths); and Forest Town Primary School (1.4 miles).

Newlands Junior School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.

46.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 8.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 39 pupils (17%) received SEN support and 2 (0.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Mansfield Woodhouse Rail Station, about 2.8 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Braemar Road (adjacent), 340 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Newlands Junior School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 44 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Nottinghamshire (101).

Newlands Junior School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.