Ofsted recognises New Close’s strengths

Back
September 10th 2026

We are delighted to share the final report from our recent Ofsted inspection, which reflects the hard work, care and commitment of our whole school community.

Inspectors found that New Close meets the Expected Standard in all areas, with Inclusion judged to be at the Strong Standard. Safeguarding standards were also fully met.

The report describes New Close as a “calm and vibrant place” where pupils enjoy coming to school, work hard and feel welcome. Inspectors recognised our high expectations for all pupils and highlighted the strength of our inclusive practice, noting that staff take swift action to identify needs and ensure that every child can succeed alongside their peers.

We were particularly proud that inspectors recognised the caring and nurturing culture of our school. They found that pupils arrive “brimming with enthusiasm for the day ahead” and highlighted the positive relationships between pupils and staff.

The report also praises the commitment of our staff and leaders, describing them as “deeply committed to the community that the school serves” and recognising the “unwavering support” that families receive.

We are incredibly proud of our children, staff and families. The report gives us much to celebrate while also providing clear next steps as we continue our journey of improvement together.

 

Click here to read the full report.