On behalf of the pupils, staff and governors it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to Netherhall Mead Academy. We are a special school for 135 children aged 4-19 years who have severe, profound and multiple learning disabilities. In addition to their learning difficulties, many pupils have other needs associated with physical disabilities, autism and medical conditions.

In 2025 we joined the Mead Educational Trust, which gives our staff even more support, resources and opportunities to progress their careers. We work closely with the secondary and primary schools in the Trust, and we subscribe to the Trust’s vision that ‘together we make a positive difference’.

Our entire school community is wholly committed to creating an environment where everyone can shine. 

If you are unable to find what you are looking for here or require any more information, do please contact us.

“Teachers are well supported by leaders to support pupils with their behaviour… Teachers appreciate that leaders will listen to them. They say that leaders make sure that their workload is fair and reasonable.”

Ofsted June 2022 

Sarah Naylor

Head Teacher

Our Aims:

The aim of Netherhall Mead is to deliver education of the highest quality possible to children and young people by offering a wide range of motivating and relevant learning opportunities. Sixth formers participate in work experience preparing them for adult life as fulfilled and active citizens. An effective total communication environment is provided which ensures all pupils learn to communicate with others in a variety of ways. Learning opportunities are enhanced through physical activities and exploratory play in a colourful, safe and stimulating environment. The schools' collaboration with families, health service professionals and other partners increases its effectiveness in meeting a wide range of pupil needs.   

Netherhall Mead moved to an excellent new building in October 2014 situated next to Orchard Mead Academy, a mainstream secondary also in our family of schools. It provides spacious, calm learning spaces combined with specific facilities which meet the learning needs of our pupils.

The school facilities consist of;

• a multi-purpose hall for assemblies, music and drama productions and events, and physical education
• hydrotherapy pool with change facilities
• dedicated rooms for rebound therapy, regulation and intensive interaction
• an ICT suite
• medical, therapy and educational support staff areas
• easy access to the secondary school
• an extensive soft play area
• specialist room for food preparation
• safe outdoor play areas
• separate dining room and school kitchen
• staff room and staff workroom/resources area
• SMART boards in all classrooms
• ceiling mounted hoists where necessary in classrooms
• classrooms dedicated to Primary Department (Foundation and Key stages 1&2), Secondary (Key Stages 3&4) and Sixth Form (Post 16)
• conference and meeting rooms

Extensive use is made of local facilities, for example further education colleges, swimming pools and sports halls in leisure facilities and museums, theatres and other venues in the city.

While each school in the Mead family is special and unique, we are united in our mission: together we make a positive difference for our learners in everything we do. At the heart of our six-year strategy, #Mead2030, is a belief that every young person from every background deserves an equal chance to be successful in whatever they choose to do.

We want to share our love of learning with our young people in order to inspire their futures and prepare them with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in a competitive world. ‘Together we make a positive difference’ signifies our determination to leverage the strength and depth that we have across our family of schools.

We are fiercely ambitious for all the children and young people in our schools and therefore expect the best from our staff. In turn we believe that every TMET employee should be empowered to reach their full potential.

To find out more about TMET, and view all vacancies across our schools, please click here.