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Admissions Procedure
About The Meadows School
The Meadows School is a community special school maintained by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC), providing education for students aged 11–19 with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, including:
- Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)
- Complex autism
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Learning difficulties associated with behaviours that challenge
Our students come predominantly from Sandwell, although we also welcome students from surrounding local authorities. All students admitted to The Meadows School have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that identifies their special educational needs and the provision required to support them.
The Meadows School has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 215 students, including sixth form. However, as of September 2026, the school has 309 students on roll.
Admission to the school can take place at any age within our 11–19 provision and at any point during the academic year, subject to referral and agreement through the local authority's admissions process.
Our Two School Sites
As of September 2026, The Meadows School operates across two sites to support the diverse needs of our students.
Dudley Road East, Oldbury
Our original school site in Oldbury provides education for students with more profound and complex needs.
Connor Road, West Bromwich
Our second site provides education for students whose needs are generally more moderate.
The placement of students across our two sites is determined through the local authority's admissions process, taking account of each student's individual needs and the provision required to support them
How to Apply for a Place
Admissions to The Meadows School are managed through a referral from the Local Authority (LA). Parents and carers cannot apply directly to the school for a place.
The admissions process is as follows:
- Referral: The Local Authority considers a student's needs and whether a placement at The Meadows School may be appropriate.
- Consultation: Following a referral, the school considers the information provided and responds to the Local Authority in accordance with the relevant procedures and agreed Service Level Agreement with SMBC.
- Contact with families: Where appropriate, the school will contact parents and carers to discuss the proposed placement and arrangements for admission.
- Assessment placements: Any assessment placement can only be arranged on an individual, case-by-case basis through the Local Authority.
All admissions are coordinated by our Assistant Headteacher, Ariane Parcell.
Sixth Form Admissions
Transition into our sixth form provision is considered as part of the student's transition planning and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) review process.
Arrangements are discussed between parents or carers, the school and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to ensure that the student's needs, aspirations and future pathways are appropriately considered. This process is supported by the school's Connexions adviser, Michelle Hammond.
Further Information
For further information about school admissions, including in-year admissions, application procedures and the appeals process, please refer to the Sandwell Schools Admissions Booklet, available through Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
The booklet provides information about:
- How to contact the Local Authority regarding admissions for all age groups, including in-year admissions.
- The process for making an admission appeal.
- The timetable and arrangements for organising and hearing admission appeals.
For advice about the admissions process, parents and carers should contact Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the first instance.
Please also see our Admissions Policy for further information