Meridian High School, Croydon

In its own words: "Meridian High School is a place where only exceptional is acceptable for our students. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do, where a robust universal offer is at the heart of our classroom practice. We give our students the tools they need to access learning."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Meridian High School, we believe that only exceptional is acceptable for our students, our parents and carers and our community. We are not like other schools. We have carefully constructed every facet of our school so that all students are able to present the best version of themselves. Education means more to us than academic outcomes."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, basketball, multi-sports, choir, gardening and debating.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 25 March 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Meridian High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 29.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.4 in Croydon and 47 across England.

17% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Croydon and 47% in England.

That is down from 34.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.7: pupils made well below 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 26.8, against 36.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 16 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Spanish and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 85 families put Meridian High School as their first choice and 150 named it as one of their preferences, for 113 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 Meridian High School are Charles Darwin School (2.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.1); The Quest Academy (2.4 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 40.5); Hayes School (2.9 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 56.2); and Ravens Wood School (3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.8).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Meridian High School.

Meridian High School is one of 43 schools run by GLF Schools, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49 in 2024/25.

Of the 108 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 65% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

64.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 10.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (60%), Black (11%) and Mixed (11%).

In 2026, 225 pupils (42.1%) received SEN support and 60 (11.2%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Meridian High School has a resourced provision (35 places, 34 pupils on roll) and a SEN unit (35 places, 34 pupils on roll) for autism.

The nearest tram or metro stop is New Addington Tram Stop, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Meridian High School (->n), 220 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 84 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Croydon (488).

In 2024/25, Meridian High School issued 170 suspensions, 31.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Meridian High School are Fairchildes Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Rowdown Primary School (0.7 miles), Tudor Academy (1.2 miles) and Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School (1.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.