Madeley High School
About Madeley High School
Madeley High School is a popular choice among local families, with 428 first-preference applications for just 174 places in the 2025/26 admissions round. That works out at nearly five applicants for every spot, and the school made 171 offers to first-preference families, so the vast majority of successful applicants had it as their top choice. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with a ratio of 4.93 applicants per place, which suggests strong word-of-mouth from current parents. While there is no direct parent survey data available, the high demand is a practical signal that families in Newcastle-under-Lyme rate the school highly. The headteacher, Lee Nixon, leads a mixed, non-denominational secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with a sixth form attached. The school has capacity for 1,100 pupils but currently enrols 769, so there is room to grow. Just under 38% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and reflects the school's inclusive intake.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Sept 2022Source: Ofsted, 16 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:35 – 15:05
Source: madeleyschool.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Madeley High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices