Meridian High School celebrates 'good' Ofsted rating

Meridian High School’s rating was upgraded after it was visited by Ofsted in January 2023. 

A report published earlier this month describes the school as a place where pupils feel safe.

The report said: “Pupils typically express the view that behaviour has ‘drastically changed’ for the better.

"They believe that the school has improved and ‘gone through a monumental transition’.

"Staff are proud to work at the school and consider the school to be well led.”

Children at the school take part in weekly debates on current affairs. Inspectors said through this they discuss moral issues and learn about “fundamental British values”.

The previous inspection in 2019 found that pupils were not challenged enough and had lower grades than national averages.

However, inspectors in 2023 found the school had introduced a “new, ambitious curriculum” with more subjects expected to be rolled out in September.

Amy Anderson, who became headteacher in May 2020, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure leading our school the past few years through the Covid-19 pandemic and through our journey of rapid school improvement.

“In terms of next steps, it is very much onwards and upwards for Meridian High School as we continue to embed our strategies and focus on our priorities moving forward.”

Ofsted found that while attendance at the school was improving some pupils were still failing to turn up to school regularly.

It also found that while in years 10 and 11 teachers took “decisive action” to close knowledge gaps this was not consistently identified in earlier years.

The school, a member of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, has 541 students aged between 11 and 16.

The school also includes The Pinnacle Centre, for pupils with autism, or speech, language and communication needs.

The school was awarded Good in all four areas inspected: education quality, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.