Meden School, Mansfield

In its own words: "Meden School has a very clear and distinctive ethos. Our work revolves around our core aims of high aspirations, excellence and achievement. To create a caring school with high levels of aspiration for all our pupils. Ultimately they will fulfil their potential and go on to lead successful adult lives."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, tennis, athletics, cross-country, drama and Duke of Edinburgh.

The school runs after-school care.

On phones, the school says: "The system utilises a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone."

In 2026, pupils at Meden School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.6 in Nottinghamshire and 47 across England.

37% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 47% in Nottinghamshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 44 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.06: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 32.3, against 48.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.1 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 182 families put Meden School as their first choice and 300 named it as one of their preferences, for 194 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Meden School are The Manor Academy (3.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.8); Shirebrook Academy (3.3 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 38.4); The Garibaldi School (3.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.1); and The Brunts Academy (4.2 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 45.4).

Meden School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Meden School is one of 17 schools run by Nova Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47 in 2024/25.

Of the 195 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 79% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 60% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 48 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 54% went on to university or other higher education, 10% to apprenticeships and 27% into work. 11% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

39% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 162 pupils (15.4%) received SEN support and 22 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Shirebrook Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Meden School (outside), 50 metres away.

In 2024/25, Meden School issued 339 suspensions, 31.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Meden School are Hetts Lane Infant and Nursery School (0.1 miles), Birklands Primary School (0.2 miles), Sherwood Junior School (0.5 miles) and Church Vale Primary School and Foundation Unit (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.