St Michael's School
Harts Lane, Burghclere, Newbury, RG20 9JWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Michael's School is an all-through school in Newbury for ages 5 to 18. It is one of the 600 schools in Hampshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 26 September 2023, report published 15 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 26 September 2023
St Michael's religious ethos is central to the school's work and guides everything it does. Morning prayers in the school's chapel provide pupils with regular opportunities for quiet reflection, contemplation and worship. Pupils learn about the importance of values such as charity, tolerance and respect. The school fosters a love of learning which is reflected in lessons across the school. Pupils develop an impressive commitment to hard work and a determination to do well as they move up through the school. They behave exceptionally well and work diligently in lessons, which are quiet, calm and purposeful. Adults lead by example. They combine very high expectations with warmth, understanding and good humour so that pupils feel comfortable and secure. Pupils are impeccably polite, greeting visitors cheerfully and with interest. They enjoy school. The youngest arrive happily at the start of the school day, hanging their coats up, putting their things away quickly and settling into their classrooms ready to learn. Pupils speak enthusiastically about subjects such as cookery, computing and art, while the older pupils appreciate activities such as rugby and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
What the school should improve
- There are variations in the quality of support for pupils with SEND. Some staff lack the subject knowledge and expertise needed to support pupils' needs effectively. Sometimes pupils with SEND do not learn as well as they could because the curriculum, and the associated tasks set in lessons, are not adapted well enough.
- School development plans do not identify the key priorities for improvement sharply enough. This means that leaders and staff are not always as clear as they could be about where they should focus improvement work. Leaders should ensure greater clarity about which specific aspects of the school's work have been prioritised for improvement.
Pupil numbers and mix
72 pupils on roll, with places for 130
Schools near St Michael's School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Clere School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Inadequate to requires improvement | Attainment 8: 41.3 |
| St Gabriel's School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 59.7 |
| Park House School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Attainment 8: 55.9 |
| St Bartholomew's School | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 56.2 |
| Trinity School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 42.9 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 5 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Nursery classes
- No
- Boarding places
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Father Dominic O'Hart
- Phone
- 01635278137
- Address
- Harts Lane, Burghclere, Newbury, RG20 9JW
- Local authority
- Hampshire
- URN
- 116594
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.