At this larger-than-average school in a deprived area of East London, 47 different languages are spoken, a large number of families have social services involvement and SEND levels across the school are high.
Pupils enter the school Nursery aged three, but their developmental levels are generally far below this. Speech, language and communication skills on entry are generally poor. Despite this, the children make exceptional progress by the time they leave. They leave in Year 6 with SATs results above local and national standards. Having received a double ‘RI’ by Ofsted six years ago, New City recently gained ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.
There are 28 after-school clubs and a summer school funded by Nike, open for three weeks in summer to vulnerable and key worker families. The school made The Times Top 50 Primary Schools and introduces the idea of going to university and further education from Year 4 to Year 6 through the ‘In2 University programme’.
The school is the epicentre of this local community and is described by colleagues as electric when they cross the threshold!
