The New School, 149 CENTRAL HILL
The New School is an independent school for pupils aged 4 to 18 in 149 Central Hill. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in October 2024.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
The New School in detail
The New School in its own words
In its own words: "At The New School, we largely follow the National Curriculum, adapting our journey through it from Early Years to GCSE or equivalent. We balance this learning journey alongside self-directed learning opportunities (SDL) and collaborative learning opportunities such as workshops. Workshops are mixed age, and sometimes our young people like to offer them for each other."
Coming up: an open evening on Saturday 7 November 2026 at 6pm, an open evening on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 5.15pm, an open evening on Tuesday 17 November 2026 and an open evening on Monday 11 January 2027 at 4pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Croydon
Vision and values (school website)Open days on the school's site (school website)
Source: The school's own website
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 The New 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 The New School are Fidelis College (under 0.1 miles); Dulwich Prep & Senior (1 mile, selective); Rosemead Preparatory School (1.2 miles); and Alleyn's Oakfield (1.3 miles, selective).
Fidelis CollegeDulwich Prep & SeniorRosemead Preparatory SchoolAlleyn's Oakfield
Who goes there
In 2026, 17 pupils (17.5%) received SEN support and 7 (7.2%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Gipsy Hill Station, about 790 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Crystal Terrace, 120 metres away.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted. Ofsted last inspected this school in 30 November 2021, before the latest ISI inspection.
Routine Inspection
8 October 2024
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
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 The New School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby all-through schools
Latest from The New School
GCSE Results 2026: Celebrating Our First Ever GCSE Results with Our Fabulous Year 11s
25 Sep 2026
What is self-directed learning (SDL)?
25 Jun 2025
A community of equals: the school with no fees, set up by a south London teacher
28 Nov 2024
The Fair Education Manifesto - Fair Education Alliance
26 Sep 2023
Back to school!
4 Sep 2023
Let year three commence
12 Sep 2022
From The New School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with The New School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near The New School.
- Camp Olympia FidelisAt the school · Not yet graded
- Stagecoach Upper Norwood370m away · Not yet graded
- Rockmount School Holiday Club Premier F4F Group400m away · Not yet graded
- Junior Adventures Group @ Kingswood Primary School SE27670m away · Not yet graded
- St Luke's School Extended Club Premier F4F Group780m away · Not yet graded
- Holiplay Kids Club Downsview940m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 40
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 13
- Children hurt
- 7
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 40 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 13 serious and 27 slight.
7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 3 in a vehicle or otherwise.
12 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 Croydon is 54.5 (the median across 156 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
81%
Available places
97 pupils
120 places
23 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across Croydon council
Places available
4,025
Applications
4,184
Got 1st preference
71.2%
Got preferred school
95.3%
All secondary applications across Croydon council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
17
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
24.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
97
Total Pupils
52
Boys
45
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The New School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about The New School
What are GCSE results like at The New 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 The New School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was The New School last inspected?
The New School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in October 2024.
How many pupils go to The New School?
The New School has around 97 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to The New School?
The New 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.
Does The New School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Camp Olympia Fidelis (registered, not yet graded). There are 5 more within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near The New School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 40 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 13 serious and 27 slight. 7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 3 in a vehicle or otherwise. 12 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 Croydon is 54.5 (the median across 156 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The New School?
The New School is at ST MARY'S LODGE, 149 CENTRAL HILL, 149 CENTRAL HILL, SE19 1RT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)