The Meadows School
Springfield Road, Leek, ST13 6EUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Meadows School is a special school in Leek for ages 11 to 19. It is one of the 451 schools in Staffordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 September 2019, report published 10 October 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 18 March 2025
Pupils flourish at The Meadows School. In the morning, smiling pupils are greeted by welcoming staff. The school has high expectations for all pupils. From the moment they arrive in Year 7, pupils are supported to achieve the best possible outcomes. Pupils thrive here. All pupils have complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff are highly skilled in developing strong and trusting relationships. They get to know the pupils individually and nurture their talents and interests. Pupils know that staff will help them with any worries or concerns they may have. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe. Pupils relish the variety of opportunities on offer. Pupils talked with excitement about their upcoming trip to France, where they will be putting their language skills into practice. Other pupils talked about how they have developed their confidence through climbing and caving on a recent residential trip. This well-considered personal development offer helps to teach the pupils important social skills that prepare them well for life after school. Pupils are kind, polite and care about each other. They are proud of the strong friendships that they make. Pupils are tolerant, empathetic and respect differences. For example, the school council has worked with leaders to design an inclusive playground with a wheelchair-accessible swing.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the school has not identified the essential knowledge that pupils should learn. This means that, in these subjects, pupils do not build their learning as cumulatively and securely as they could. The school should set out what it wants pupils to learn across these subjects so that pupils learn well across the curriculum.
- There is variation in the expertise of middle leaders. Therefore, they are not always clear about the strengths and areas to develop in their subject. The school should support leaders to develop their expertise so that they have the knowledge and skills to lead developments in their subjects.
Pupil numbers and mix
129 pupils on roll, with places for 120
Schools near The Meadows School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Hopedale School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| Horton Lodge Community Special School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Cicely Haughton School | 4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Parkgate Farm | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy special converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- MANOR HALL ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Dr Kathryn Taylor
- Phone
- 01538225060
- Address
- Springfield Road, Leek, ST13 6EU
- Local authority
- Staffordshire
- URN
- 143346
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.