Meadows School, Tunbridge Wells
Meadows School is a special school for pupils aged 7 to 19 in Tunbridge Wells. It was rated Requires improvement at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in April 2022. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement (2022)
Data last updated 1 Nov 2026
Meadows School in detail
Meadows School in its own words
In its own words: "Placements at Meadows School include the students themselves expressing their wish to attend Meadows School. Students' interests and hobbies can often be a stepping stone to engage them with education and provide opportunities for success. Provision of an allocated pastoral link worker to work with every student and their parents/carers throughout their time at the school."
From the headteacher's welcome: "Choosing a school is a significant moment for any family. For many, it comes after months of worry, questions and difficult decisions. I want to begin by acknowledging the reality of these issues. Sending your child to a new school, particularly a specialist one, can feel like a leap of faith both emotionally and practically."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Meadows School are Nexus Foundation Special School (1.4 miles, Good); Broomhill Bank School (1.6 miles, Good); Oakley School (2.7 miles, Good); and YMCA West Kent (3.1 miles).
Nexus Foundation Special SchoolBroomhill Bank SchoolOakley SchoolYMCA West Kent
Where pupils go next
Of the 9 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 11% to a further education college.
Who goes there
50.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 0% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at Meadows School has an education, health and care plan (65 of 65 in 2026). The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Meadows School provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is High Brooms Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Birchwood Avenue (opposite), 110 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Meadows School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 37 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Meadows School issued 82 suspensions, 132.3 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Meadows School excels at helping pupils understand and manage their emotions in a warm, caring environment. The school combines strong academic teaching - particularly in reading - with an outstanding approach to personal development that builds pupils' confidence and prepares them well for adult life. Staff are experts at tailoring support to each pupil's individual needs, helping them thrive both in school and for their future.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional personal development programme with excellent enrichment opportunities, trips and visits
- Strong new approach to teaching reading using systematic phonics, helping pupils of all ages access the curriculum
- Excellent careers education, advice and guidance preparing pupils very well for future life
- Calm, friendly atmosphere where staff help pupils manage behaviour and build trust
- Outstanding sixth-form provision with bespoke activities and qualifications matched to pupils' needs
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent approaches to teaching and learning in some newly redesigned subjects need to be monitored and improved
- Need to ensure all academic subjects are consistently well-designed and delivered to a high standard
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders and staff working closely with therapists to create a safe culture where pupils' social, emotional and mental health needs are understood and supported.
Extracurricular Activities
Board games at lunchtime, kayaking, camping, Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions
Meadows School is a special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, aged 7-19. The school has improved significantly since its last inspection, with pupils feeling valued and supported in a kind, safe and respectful culture.
At a Glance
50.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
SEMH
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Meadows School
Pony Up for Success
28 Sep 2026
Meadows Students Gear Up for Success at MidKent College
28 Sep 2026
Staff Step into Students' Shoes During Phonics Training
28 Sep 2026
Making a Splash with Success
14 Sep 2026
Working Out a Bright Future
14 Sep 2026
In partnership with Hampson Beauty School
10 Sep 2026
From Meadows School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Meadows School
Before and after school care
Meadows School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Kent
Nurseries
The nearest nurseries and pre-schools to Meadows School, with their latest published grades:
- Bright Horizons Southborough Woodlands Preschool - Day nursery, 0.2 milesOfsted, 20 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Pennington Park Pre School - Day nursery, 0.2 milesOfsted, 23 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- The Little Learning Tree Preschool - Southborough - Pre-school, 0.5 milesOfsted, 24 April 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Bright Horizons Southborough Springfield Road Day Nursery - Day nursery, 0.5 milesOfsted, 15 February 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Holden Park Pre-School - Day nursery, 0.6 milesOfsted, 9 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Meadows School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Meadows School is in Kent; for families living there:
Apply to Kent for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 11 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot.
2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight are DfT estimates (severity adjustment). Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
65%
Available places
65 pupils
100 places
35 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across Kent council
Places available
19,539
Applications
18,644
Got 1st preference
78.9%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All secondary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
65
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Meadows School provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
65
Total Pupils
51
Boys
14
Girls
2026 academic year
Pupil Absence2024/25
21.0%
Overall absence
64.0%
Persistent absence
50
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Meadows School
Questions parents ask about Meadows School
What are GCSE results like at Meadows School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Meadows School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 3.8. 0% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Meadows School's Ofsted rating?
Meadows School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded. At its last graded inspection, in April 2022, it was rated Requires Improvement.
How many pupils go to Meadows School?
Meadows School has around 65 pupils on roll. 51% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Meadows School have specialist SEN provision?
Meadows School provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
What is attendance like at Meadows School?
21% of sessions were missed at Meadows School in 2024/25. 64% of pupils were persistently absent.
Does Meadows School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Meadows School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026).
How many road collisions happen near Meadows School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 11 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot. 2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Meadows School?
Meadows School is at London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0RJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)