History and Culture of Newstead Wood School
Newstead Wood School is a girls secondary school with a coeducational Sixth Form located in Orpington, Kent. The school first opened in September 1954 as Orpington Grammar School for Girls, and has since grown into a nationally leading school, expanding the site to include a purpose-built Sixth Form block, dedicated blocks for Music and also Technology, an Engineering suite, Sports Hall and Tennis Centre. These facilities help support the school’s aim to strive for excellent academic success whilst creating a nurturing environment with extensive co-curricular opportunities. As a result, students are regularly encouraged to balance their academic studies with sport, music and culture – something emphasised by the “exciting learning environment” the school provides.
Why attend Newstead Wood School?
Exam Results
These results are the typical results you can expect, based on evidence from the last few years.
GCSEs
| Percentage of grades | |
| Grades 9 | Around 40% |
| Grades 8-9 | Around 70% |
| Grades 7-9 | Around 85% |
A Levels
| Percentage of Grades | |
| Grades A* | Around 20% |
| Grades A*-A | Around 60% |
| Grades A*-B | Around 85% |
Opportunities
Newstead Wood School promotes and encourages students to go beyond the curriculum, both in academic subjects and more creative interests. The school has designed a program called “Learning to Fly”, targeted at helping students go above and beyond in their subjects. Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in their studies and engage fully with their subjects with the help of the resources provided in this program.
In terms of music related opportunities, Newstead Wood School has a lot to offer, and consider music as being at “the heart of school life”. This is reflected in the variety of musical ensembles available for students to join, including Junior and Senior Orchestra, Musical Theatre Group, Gospel Choir and Rock band – just to name a few. All pupils are encouraged to be involved in at least one musical activity during their time in school, and seize the opportunity to collaborate with musicians in other year groups. Students can then perform throughout the year in various events such as the Interhouse Music Recitals, Winter Concert, assemblies and even open days.
There are also a huge number of other clubs available, especially for those interested in sports. Newstead Wood offer lunchtime clubs every day, with friendly clubs open for all to join, as well as targeted year group practice. This includes sports like Badminton, Table Tennis, Netball and Football.
The school also adopts an Elective Options Cycle, where students can elect to choose specific options from a wide variety of activities for two hours every week. These activities range from the Sport Elective Options to more academic options like learning about Ancient Civilisations. There is also an option for students to do outreach work at local primary schools during Years 10 and 11, which can also help contribute to the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Alumni
Students from Newstead Wood School often go onto a wide range of careers and notable alumni include:
- Dina Asher-Smith, athletics sprinter, multi Olympic and World Championship medallist
- Gemma Chan, actress known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, and Humans
- Emma Johnson, clarinettist, winner of the 1984 BBC Young Musician of the Year, and Bronze in the Eurovision Young Musicians 1984
- Emma Raducanu, British tennis player, and 2021 US Open Champion
- Barbara Harriss-White, Professor of Development Studies at the University of Oxford
Newstead Wood School – Essential Information
Address: Avebury Rd, Orpington BR6 9SA
School phone number: 01689853626
Students admitted at 11+: 168 Students
School email: office@newsteadwood.co.uk
Link to website:https://www.newsteadwood.co.uk/
How to achieve entry in Newstead Wood School
Newstead Wood School has a competitive application process for the main pathway being at 11+ entry.
Application
The school has 168 places available for 11+ entry, with students sitting the 11+ selection test. Students that are deemed as being “selective” will then be offered a place at the school. Girls can apply even if outside of the catchment, but historically, no places have been offered to those living beyond 9 miles of the school.
Entrance Exam
The school requires an 11+ entrance examination. The paper will assess two things:
- Verbal ability – assesses vocabulary, comprehension and verbal reasoning skills
- Non-verbal reasoning – ability to recognise patterns, understand relationships between objects and make logical deductions
Where necessary, the Non-verbal reasoning test will be used to differentiate applicants with the same overall score.
How Redbridge Tuition can help your child Achieve Entry at Newstead Wood School
Redbridge Tuition provides tailored support for students taking 11+ Selection Tests, covering both Verbal and Non-verbal elements of the selection test.
If your child requires support in a class, Redbridge Tuition offers classes at both of our sites. You can check them out here.
Alternatively, you can find our recommended resources below:
Recommended Books for 11 Plus exam preparation
If you have any further questions, feel free to Contact Us