Fidelis College
Same Croydon area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
The New School is a private secondary-stage school in Croydon, Greater London, with a published age range of 4-18.
Private school Co-ed Ages 4-18 Sixth form No boarders
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 4-18
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- No boarders
The New School
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 4-18
- Boarding ?
- No boarders
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
Agency defines The New School's Croydon model. Young people have a voice in learning and shared life within a non-fee-paying alternative to mainstream education. Mixed-age classes make that emphasis visible in the daily rhythm.
Learning follows the National Curriculum through GCSE or equivalent, with specialist teaching, self-directed work and projects. Art, science, ICT and media, concept-based social studies and individual learning plans sit alongside academic, social and emotional assessment. Pupils, teachers and carers can set goals together, and a GCSE route may be combined with a portfolio or another qualification.
Class circles, restorative circles, sociocratic circles and a school council give pupils practical roles in decisions. Outdoor learning is part of the week, and there is no uniform unless young people decide otherwise. Reception places were available for September 2026 while other years through Year 11 were full or waiting-listed; the wider age range reaches 18, although the curriculum emphasis is through GCSE.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- Independent-school performance data is patchier in official releases, so GCSE and A-level comparisons should be checked against the school's published results.
- Sixth form
- Sixth form available.
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Age range
- 4-18
- Headteacher
- Ms LUCY STEPHENS
- Pupil roll
- 97 pupils
- Sixth form
- Yes
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- ST MARY'S LODGE, 149 CENTRAL HILL, LONDON, Greater London
- Postcode
- SE19 1RT
- Area
- Croydon
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Ms LUCY STEPHENS
School contact
- School phone
- 02045130505
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions email
- admissions@thenewschool.org.uk
- Admissions phone
- 0204 513 0505
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 4-18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding
- No boarders
- Day fees
- No tuition charge.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Check school site
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
Application
Application
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: 8 October 2024
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2024 records an inspection beginning 8 October 2024. The report says the relevant standards were met.
Similar schools and comparisons
Similar schools and comparisons
Nearby schools families also consider
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Dulwich College
Same Croydon area with a comparable local commute
Alleyn's School
Same Croydon area with a comparable local commute
St Dunstan's College
Same Croydon area with a comparable local commute
Nearby schools with similar results
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Trinity School
Nearby option with a similar Ofsted and sixth-form picture
Emanuel School
Nearby option with a similar Ofsted and sixth-form picture
Thames Christian School
Nearby option with a similar Ofsted and sixth-form picture
Shortlist comparisons
Related pages and guides
Related pages and guides
Area and ranking pages
Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does New School handle admissions?
New School handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to New School?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for New School?
Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.
What does the latest inspection picture look like for New School?
New School is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 8 October 2024.