Meridian High School in Croydon has been shortlisted for a national award. The school's leadership team is a finalist in the Leadership Team of the Year category at the National Schools Awards 2026. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the House of Lords on December 4.
Headteacher highlights pupil-focused approach
Amy Anderson, headteacher at Meridian High School, said: "A lot of our pupils face real barriers, and we decided a long time ago that those barriers were not going to decide what they achieve. Everything we have built came from asking what each child needs to do well here."
Anderson added: "Whatever happens in December, this one belongs to our staff, our pupils, and our families."
Support programmes and attendance improvements
The school's award entry highlights two in-house support programmes for students with additional needs. Pinnacle supports learners with literacy and language challenges, neurodivergence, or social, emotional, and mental health needs. The Summit provision addresses behavioural issues by identifying unmet needs and helping reintegrate students into lessons, rather than relying on sanctions.
Meridian High School reports that students with Education, Health, and Care Plans attend at rates nearly 10 per cent above the national average, and anxiety-related absenteeism has dropped. The school has been recognised as a Thrive Centre of Excellence for a second time and is also a Voice 21 Centre of Excellence for Oracy.
Enrichment and career opportunities expanded
To improve access to enrichment, after-school clubs were moved into the school day after pupils said that family commitments prevented them from attending. Key Stage 3 students now have a weekly personal development lesson and take part in three different clubs each academic year, ranging from musical theatre and songwriting to chess and trampolining.
The school also funds an annual residential trip for Key Stage 3 students and has increased the number of school trips from 15 to more than 40 over three years. More than 80 per cent of students complete work experience placements through a careers programme delivered with the GLF Foundation and the Tasso Project.
Staff development and wellbeing gains
Forty-nine per cent of the school's staff have been promoted since Ms Anderson became headteacher, and a similar proportion have completed or are working towards a National Professional Qualification. Staff surveys show that the proportion of staff who feel their wellbeing is prioritised has risen from 60 per cent to 98 per cent over five years.
