Meadows School
Egerton House, Wardle Road, Wardle, Rochdale, OL12 9ENOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Meadows School is a special school in Rochdale for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 105 schools in Rochdale. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 October 2023, report published 21 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 October 2023
Most pupils have had a disjointed and fractured education before they join Meadows School. However, they said that, soon after they arrive, they quickly feel settled. Pupils strike up supportive friendships with their peers and they develop strong and trusting bonds with staff. Pupils said that they feel happy and safe at school. If they feel vulnerable or concerned, they know that they can talk to any member of staff, including the school's therapists. Staff expect pupils to engage fully with their learning and try their hardest. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour and achievement. These factors help to ensure pupils learn and achieve well. Pupils thrive because of the school's nurturing environment. Pupils are active citizens, with a keen sense of community spirit. For example, they recently organised a charity event in partnership with a neighbouring school. Pupils donated the proceeds to support elderly residents in local sheltered accommodation. Many pupils enjoy learning at a local community interest centre. They enjoy looking after the alpacas, goats, chickens and an array of small animals. Pupils become knowledgeable about ponies, which they groom and prepare for regional horse shows. Pupils pursue their interests, and develop their talents, in sports such as rugby and in different visual and performing arts.
What the school should improve
- Some staff do not have the knowledge that they need to help pupils in the earlier stages of learning to read to become fluent and confident readers. Consequently, a small number of pupils do not catch up in reading as quickly as they should. The school should ensure that staff are well equipped to help those pupils who are in the early stages of learning to read to overcome the gaps in their reading knowledge.
- In a few subjects, staff do not have the subject knowledge or expertise that they need to deliver the curriculum consistently well. This means that staff are less sure about how to design and deliver learning in these subjects to build pupils' knowledge over time. The school should make sure that staff receive the training that they need to deliver the curriculum effectively.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
10 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
10 pupils on roll, with places for 26
Schools near Meadows School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Howarth School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Springside | 0.4 miles | Report card: Strong standard | 0% met the expected standard |
| Whitehall Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard | Not published |
| Healey Learning Centre | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Brookland School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 7.1 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr James McDonald
- Phone
- 01706630022
- Address
- Egerton House, Wardle Road, Wardle, Rochdale, OL12 9EN
- Local authority
- Rochdale
- URN
- 136257
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.