Newman Catholic College, London

In its own words: "· A respite provision for pupils with emotional, behavioural and academic challenges. · We are located at Newman Catholic College in a separate space from the school. PRP combines the expertise of our staff with the skills and progressive approach of the Sport & Thought organisation. · Our focus is on cognitive therapy, reflection, reintegration and academic success."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are an inclusive Catholic school where every student is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their very best. Faith is at the heart of our school community and shapes the way we learn, grow and care for one another."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, tennis, basketball, chess and gardening.

In 2026, pupils at Newman Catholic College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 36, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 51.1 in Brent and 47 across England.

30% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 54% in Brent and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 35.9.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.21: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 31.4, against 38.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 26 families put Newman Catholic College as their first choice and 89 named it as one of their preferences, for 62 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Newman Catholic College are Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (0.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.3); Saint Claudine's Catholic School for Girls (0.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.6); Queens Park Community School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.4); and North Brent School (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 51.8).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Newman Catholic College.

62 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Newman Catholic College (as of April 2026): 92% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 80% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (92%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (77%).

Of the 90 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 80% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 31% to a further education college and 2% to an apprenticeship.

Of the 50 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 6% went on to university or other higher education and 12% into work. 6% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

38.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 77.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (27%), other ethnic groups (22%) and Black (21%).

In 2026, 35 pupils (6%) received SEN support and 25 (4.3%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Newman Catholic College has a resourced provision for autism: 12 places, 7 pupils on roll.

Newman Catholic College had 57 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Willesden Junction Station, about 540 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newman College / Wrottesley Road, 40 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Newman Catholic College stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Newman Catholic College issued 122 suspensions, 18 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Newman Catholic College are Furness Primary School (0.3 miles), John Keble CofE Primary School (0.3 miles), Newfield Primary School (0.4 miles) and Donnington Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.