The New School
· SE19 1RT
The New School is a radical, non-fee-paying all-through independent charity (ages 4–16) committed to rewriting mainstream education through agency-centred, project-based learning. Located in SE19 (Norwood, South London), it balances National Curriculum rigour with student self-direction and holistic development across social, emotional, and academic domains. The school explicitly rejects fees as a barrier to access and emphasises student voice through active participation in school governance and decision-making.
- →Non-fee-paying model removes financial barriers and aligns with equity-focused values
- →Explicit focus on student agency, voice, and self-direction rather than compliance-driven learning
- →Holistic developmental approach measuring social and emotional progress alongside academics
- →Small community (94 pupils) enabling close relationships and genuine personalisation
Who thrives here
Families seeking progressive, values-driven education where children develop autonomy, critical thinking, and social responsibility; pupils who thrive with project-based and self-directed elements; those committed to participatory school culture and alternative assessment models.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
ST MARY'S LODGE, 149 CENTRAL HILL, LONDON
SE19 1RT
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
How do you get into The New School?
The New School admits pupils at 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
Is The New School a boarding school?
The New School is a day school in England and does not offer boarding.
What is The New School's latest inspection rating?
Ofsted rated The New School “Good” (2022).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Genuinely progressive, values-aligned approach to education avoiding performativity
✓Small, intimate community enabling strong relationships and personalisation
✓Authentic student voice and participation in school governance
✓Non-fee model reflecting equity commitment and widening access
✓Holistic focus on social–emotional–academic development
Common concerns
!School not yet Ofsted-inspected; limited independent validation of provision quality or outcomes
!Very small roll (94 pupils) raises questions about sustainability, staff retention, and breadth of curriculum offer
!Progressive pedagogies may not suit all learners; assessment practices and progress tracking not clearly explained
!Lack of detail on secondary transition, GCSE/A-level preparation, and post-16 destinations
!No published data on diversity, SEND access, or specialist support provision