Newstead Wood School

Newstead Wood is a highly selective girls’ state secondary school, with a co-educational Sixth Form, close to Orpington Station, with direct links to London. Our catchment radius covers a wide, rich range of socio-economic and ethnic areas: over 40% of students are from ethnic minorities and many of our students will be the first of their families to enter Higher Education. The school is heavily over-subscribed.

Newstead prides itself on providing an exciting learning environment, both in terms of resources and expectations, so that each individual can flourish. We recognise the range of students’ abilities, both in terms of specific subjects and personal and social education, and try to respond, often through links with the wider community.  Newstead is nationally and internationally renowned for offering the best ways to provide for the needs of very able students through the formal curriculum and beyond – through extra-curricular and enrichment activities in particular. We have high expectations and encourage students to be self-motivated so that learning arises naturally through enquiry and research, across different subjects. We know that lively minds come to us well stocked and able to think divergently.  Our staff understands very able and gifted students and encourage the appreciation and acceptance of different abilities.

Our expert and dedicated staff inspire our students; and our students' energy, creativity and enthusiasm inspire staff. We are proud of our students' achievements - whatever field they excel in. However, neither staff nor students are complacent - constantly looking for new challenges to meet and fresh problems to solve. Newstead students have freedom and security to be themselves, and many opportunities to follow their interests and aspirations. We know them as individuals and support them to grow as thinking young people and active citizens, ready to take positions of responsibility and leadership on leaving school. If you feel you are able to support us to bring out the best in our pupils, we welcome your application today.