Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Short inspection of Sir Isaac Newton

Sixth Form Free School Inspection dates: 1 and 2 November 2023 Outcome Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School continues to be an outstanding provider. Information about this provider Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School (Sir Isaac Newton) is in the centre of Norwich. It is part of the Inspiration Trust, which is a multi-academy trust for schools in Norfolk and north Suffolk.

Sir Isaac Newton opened in September 2013 as a specialist sixth form, offering science and mathematics A level programmes. Leaders in partnership with the Jane Austen College to offer students arts and humanities A level subjects. Jane Austen College is also part of the Inspiration Trust.

There ...are currently 548 students studying at Sir Isaac Newton. A level mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are the most popular programmes to study. Sir Isaac Newton also offers A level further mathematics, computer science, psychology and core mathematics.

The school has more recently introduced an A level environmental science programme. The school has no students with high-needs funding. What is it like to be a learner with this provider? Students have high aspirations to achieve their goalsThey enjoy studying alongside like-minded peers.

Students understand that making mistakes is an integral aspect of learning. As a result, students work hard, develop their resilience and grow in confidence. They become adept at learning independently to support their transition to higher education.

Students thrive in the highly supportive, ambitious and respectful environment at Sir Isaac Newton. They value the wide range of advantageous academic and pastoral support they receive. Students benefit from drop-in clinics and catch-up lessons.

They receive individual mentoring support and have easy access to their teachers to ask questions. As a result, students stay on track with their studies. Students enjoy many exciting opportunities to learn beyond the academic content of their programmesThey take part in competitions and challenges such as the Cambridge chemistry race and the chemistry Olympiad.

Students visit local universities where they learn in high-tech laboratories. Students gain an invaluable sense of the steps they can take when they complete their studies. Students with targets to develop their social skills benefit from the 'talk about' programmeThe programme aims to develop students' understanding of social behaviours such as empathy.

Another programme 'mood masters' teaches students strategies to manage their anxiety. As a result, students make very good progress. Students feel very safe in a positive culture of acceptance.

They enjoy learning in a calm environment that values creativity and respects the individual ways in which they learn. Students feel listened to, and they are comfortable to talk to staff if they should have any concerns. Students are confident that staff would respond appropriately to their concerns.