Newfield School likened to North Korea as corridors become silent and single file in ‘draconian’ new measures

Newfield School in Sheffield has told parents it plans to require pupils to walk in single file and silence between lessons. In its 23 October announcement, the school said pupil feedback had raised concerns about intimidation, supervision and safety in some corridors. Two parents told The Star they considered the approach too strict. One likened the school to North Korea and said the rules could limit pupils’ chances to talk with one another; both also raised concerns about detentions and consultation over school policies. Their accounts of individual sanctions have not been independently verified.

The school said silent, single-file movement had already been used at the start of the day and after breaks for more than a year, including during its latest Ofsted inspection. It said applying the routine throughout the day would help pupils move safely and allow lessons to start sooner. Ofsted inspected Newfield in June 2026 and described behaviour as calm, orderly and respectful. The disagreement centres on whether extending an established routine is a proportionate response to pupils’ concerns about busy corridors.