Meridian reaches a high: Year 7 and 8 pupils celebrating winning a National Teaching Awards bronze for ‘Making a Difference’
Meridian High School in New Addington has won a bronze award for “Making a Difference – Secondary School of the Year” in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards recognise whole school communities that “radically transform the life chances of their pupils and enrich their wider local communities”.
The judges recognised the Fairchildes Avenue school’s curriculum as “knowledge-rich, carefully sequenced and ambitious for every child”.
From September 2026, Meridian High School will implement Foundations First, a new 12-week intensive Year 7 programme focused entirely on reading, writing, spelling, oracy and numeracy, with the intention to close attainment gaps for the school’s youngest pupils once they start at Meridian.
Meridian’s commitment to attendance, an issue that has affected every school nationally, especially following the pandemic, was also considered by the judges. The school has already received the National School Attendance Award 2023-2024, placing the school in the Top 25% of similar secondary schools in England.
“Attendance is treated as both an academic priority and a safeguarding responsibility,” the school says.
The Pearson judges also considered the Promise Project, which secures high-quality work experience placements for Year 10 pupils.
Prized teacher: Brooke Cross (right) receives her highly commended certificate for teaching assistant of the year from Meridian’s Head, Amy Anderson
And through the GLF Foundation Fund, Meridian supports pupils to pursue extracurricular interests beyond school, from sport to creative arts and activities that families might otherwise struggle to afford.
The school’s Hardship Fund provides immediate support to families in crisis, including supermarket vouchers, clothing and essential household furniture.
Amy Anderson, Meridian High’s Headteacher, said she, her staff and the pupils are “proud” of the recognition the school has received. “We have achieved so much thanks to relentless belief and uncompromising expectations.
“While our students do not lack potential, they are often not given opportunities once they leave school, but at Meridian, we ensure they receive both.”
Merdian High is one of eight secondary schools in the GLF multi-academy trust. There are 43 schools in the GLF trust, with more than 19,000 pupils aged two to 19 across south-east England.
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