Newland School for Girls Review 2026: Academic Focus and Inclusive Character in Hull

Set within the academic corridor of Cottingham Road, Newland School for Girls provides a stable and ambitious environment for students in North Hull. With a history stretching back over a century, the school remains the only all-girls state secondary in the city, offering a distinctive educational setting that prioritises female leadership and confidence.

The school currently serves approximately 750 students, operating at its full capacity. Led by Headteacher Ms Vicky Callaghan, who has been in post since September 2016, the institution has maintained a consistent trajectory of improvement. The latest official assessments confirm that Newland provides a safe, well-ordered, and inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to thrive.

The atmosphere at Newland School for Girls is one of purposeful calm. The school occupies a site that blends traditional architectural elements with modern additions, including specialized technology suites. The single-sex environment is central to its identity, with the school actively promoting the idea that there are no barriers to what girls can achieve in any field, particularly in traditionally male-dominated subjects.

Diversity is a significant strength here. The student body represents a wide range of cultures and languages, and the school operates as a cohesive community where mutual respect is the baseline. The latest inspection findings highlight that students feel safe and well-supported, describing the school as a place where they can be themselves without fear of judgement.

The school motto, Ad Lucem (To the Light), serves as a guiding principle for both academic aspiration and personal growth. This ethos is visible in the way students carry themselves; there is a visible pride in the school uniform and a clear understanding of the high expectations set by leadership.

The school ranks 1897th in England for GCSE outcomes according to FindMySchool rankings, which places it in a solid position in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Within the local context of Hull, Newland ranks 5th among secondary providers, reflecting a performance that is competitive with local alternatives.

In the most recent measurement period, the school achieved an Average Attainment 8 score of 44.3. While the Progress 8 score of -0.13 suggests that students make progress slightly below the England average from their starting points, the school remains a strong performer within the Hull City local authority.

Academic rigour is particularly evident in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entry rates. Approximately 20.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in the EBacc, supported by an Average Point Score (APS) of 4.02. Parents comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.

Teaching at Newland is characterized by clear structures and a focus on subject mastery. The curriculum is broad, ensuring students have access to a full range of academic and creative subjects from Year 7 through to Year 11.

In the classroom, teachers use their subject expertise to challenge students and correct misconceptions early. There is a strong emphasis on literacy and communication, ensuring that students for whom English is an additional language receive the targeted support necessary to access the full curriculum.

The school operates a three-year Key Stage 3, allowing students to explore a wide variety of subjects before specializing for their GCSEs. This approach ensures that the arts, technology, and humanities remain a core part of every girl's education for as long as possible.

Fees & Financial Aid

As Newland School for Girls is a state-funded academy, there are no tuition fees for attendance. The school is part of the Thrive Co-operative Learning Trust. Parents should note that while there are no fees, there may be associated costs for school uniforms, elective field trips, and certain extracurricular materials. Financial assistance is often available for families eligible for Pupil Premium to ensure all students can participate in school activities.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the Newland experience. The school uses a system of pastoral mentors and year-group based teams to ensure that every student has a consistent point of contact. This system allows staff to build deep knowledge of each girl's individual needs and family context.

Support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is well-integrated. The SENCO leads a team of teaching assistants who provide both in-class support and targeted interventions. Behaviour is managed through a clear system of rewards and sanctions, which students describe as fair. The latest Ofsted report confirms that behaviour is good, with low levels of disruption in lessons.

The extracurricular life at Newland is designed to build confidence and new skills. The school offers a variety of clubs that cater to diverse interests, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary.

STEM Excellence

STEM is a major pillar of the extracurricular programme. Students participate in the Greenpower Inspiring Engineers project, where they design and build electric cars to race at professional circuits. There is also a strong Coding Club and regular participation in regional Mathematics Challenges. These initiatives are designed to bridge the gender gap in science and engineering.

Creative and Sporting Life

The arts are equally celebrated, with an active choir and regular drama productions that take advantage of the school's performance spaces. Sports provision includes netball, football, and athletics, with the school often punch above its weight in local Hull school leagues.

Newland School for Girls is a popular choice and is currently classified as oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 209 applications for 94 offers, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.22. This means there are more than two applications for every available place, making entry competitive.

Admissions are coordinated by Hull City Council. Applications for September 2026 entry opened on 1 September 2025 and will close on 15 January 2026. Priority is given to looked-after children and those with siblings already at the school, followed by distance from the school gates. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical intake patterns.

The school day typically begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:10 pm. A range of after-school clubs usually runs until 4:15 pm on most days.

Located on Cottingham Road, the school is well-served by local bus routes connecting it to the city centre and surrounding villages like Cottingham and Beverley. There is limited on-site parking for visitors, so families are encouraged to use public transport or the designated drop-off points nearby.

• Oversubscribed status: With more than two applications for every place, securing a spot at Newland requires careful planning and adherence to the local authority's application deadlines.
• Single-sex environment: While the all-girls setting provides a unique space for building confidence, families should consider if this environment suits their child's social needs compared to a co-educational secondary.
• Progress 8 figures: While attainment is solid for the region, the Progress 8 score of -0.13 indicates that the school is working hard to ensure every student reaches their full potential relative to their primary school starting points.

Newland School for Girls remains a steadfast pillar of female education in Hull, combining a rich history with a modern, STEM-focused curriculum. It offers a safe and ambitious haven for girls to develop their academic and personal identities. Best suited to families seeking a disciplined, single-sex environment where diversity is celebrated and academic effort is the norm. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.