New Directions
Pupil referral unit school in London (Newham).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
I am incredibly proud to have worked at Newham PRUs for over 20 years, initially as a teacher and senior leader before taking on the role of Headteacher in 2016.
Throughout this time I have had the privilege of witnessing so many of our students develop and grow, accessing opportunities and the support they need to be successful as they progress onto future education provision and adult life.
Across Newham PRUs we place great importance on nurture, and I am incredibly proud of our rich and diverse school community which we have grown over the years with so many of our students feeling proud to belong to.
Newham PRUs provide a safe and supportive learning environment which enables students to access a broad, relevant curriculum which leads to many of our KS4 students achieving outstanding results in GCSE and other vocational qualifications.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
4 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Dance
- Drama
- Times Tables Rock Stars
- Trauma Informed Schools
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Nurturing Schools AwardRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 134919
- Type
- Pupil referral unit
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 14 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Local authority
- Newham
- Constituency
- West Ham and Beckton
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
- Opened
- 2004
Governing body (9 current, 3 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Lando David Du Plooy | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Scott Brooks | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Jim King | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Carel Eale Efoma | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Ms Sheila Patricia Roberts | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
| Mrs Upasana Malhotra | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2021 · until 2029 |
| Ms Kathryn Leila Randall Curtis | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2019 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Elizabeth Ann Shirley | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2017 · until 2029 |
| Ms Kirsten MacLeod | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2016 |
| Ms Felicia Lucina Lord-Attivor Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · term ended 2025 |
| Ms Eavan Louise McKay Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
| Councillor James Beckles Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record