New Directions
The Storey Centre, Woodman Street, North Woolwich, London, E16 2LSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
New Directions is an alternative provision school in Newham for ages 14 to 16. It is one of the 109 schools in Newham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2012.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 25 September 2012, report published 18 October 2012
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 October 2022
Some pupils join this pupil referral unit for a short time, until they return to a mainstream school. The majority, however, arrive in Year 11. They usually remain at the school to complete their GCSEs and other qualifications. Leaders have a clear vision to ensure that pupils settle into life at the school very quickly and re-engage in learning. Leaders strive to make sure that pupils are well prepared for their next steps in education, employment or training. Leaders work closely with the local authority and local secondary schools to help pupils reintegrate successfully into another maintained secondary school where possible. Pupils are happy at the school. They prefer the smaller class sizes and they value the help they get to learn how to manage their emotions and engage with lessons. Pupils make friends during their time at the school. They often feel more settled than at their previous schools. The school has a calm, orderly and safe environment. If pupils get distracted from their learning, teachers and other adults help them to focus again and complete their work. Pupils are safe. Pupils trust staff to deal with their concerns quickly. Should bullying occur, leaders deal with it effectively.
What the school should improve
- Leaders have not identified clearly what pupils should be taught and when in PSHE lessons. This means that pupils are not consistently taught the same content as their peers. Leaders should ensure that teachers have sufficient guidance on the exact content and the order in which to teach the PSHE programme.
- Some pupils who join the school are not fluent in their reading. However, some teachers lack the necessary expertise to teach phonics effectively. As a result, the support for pupils is inconsistent. Leaders should make sure that all staff gain expertise so that the programme can be implemented effectively across the school, supporting all pupils to read with confidence and fluency.
Pupil numbers and mix
21 pupils on roll, with places for 60
Schools near New Directions
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Tunmarsh School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Horizons Academy Bexley | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard |
| Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding |
| Abbey Manor College | 4 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional |
| Mayesbrook Park School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good |
School details
- School type
- Pupil referral unit
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 14 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Ms Kirsten MacLeod
- Phone
- 02075040530
- Address
- The Storey Centre, Woodman Street, North Woolwich, London, E16 2LS
- Local authority
- Newham
- URN
- 134919
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.