Gavin Hosford – Executive Headteacher
Gavin Hosford is the Executive Headteacher at Meadowcroft, and is proud to lead a school that is deeply committed to improving the lives and futures of children and young people with additional needs.
With over 30 years of experience in education and school leadership, Gavin has dedicated his career to creating inclusive, ambitious and nurturing environments where every child feels valued, understood and able to succeed. He is passionate about relational practice and believes that positive relationships, high expectations and a strong sense of belonging are at the heart of transformative education.
At Meadowcroft, Gavin works closely with pupils, families and colleagues to ensure that the school provides a safe, therapeutic and aspirational learning environment. His vision is to create a culture where every young person is encouraged to develop confidence, resilience and independence, enabling them to achieve meaningful success both in school and throughout their lives.
Noreen Cheema – Head of School
Noreen has always placed great emphasis on academic success and believes that every pupil should be encouraged and supported to be the very best they can be. She is passionate about creating a positive and aspirational culture where high expectations, strong attitudes to learning and a belief in every young person’s potential lead to success.
Noreen believes it is important that young people within the Meadowcroft community are enthusiastic, happy and successful learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their lives. Her vision is to develop lifelong learners who are resilient, adaptable and able to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Noreen takes pride in the calm, warm and purposeful atmosphere that exists throughout the school and in the wide range of opportunities available to pupils beyond the classroom. These include enrichment activities, educational visits, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, sports clubs and college links, all of which help young people to develop confidence, independence and the skills they need for the future.
Sadie Appleyard – Head of Education
Sadie is the Head of Education at Meadowcroft School and brings over 12 years of teaching and leadership experience across a range of educational settings. Throughout her career, she has worked with children and young people with diverse needs and has extensive experience of working collaboratively with families and external agencies to secure positive outcomes.
Prior to joining Meadowcroft, Sadie served as a Specialist Leader in Education for Early Years and Phonics, supporting the development of high-quality teaching and learning across schools. She is passionate about educational excellence and ensuring that every pupil receives the support, challenge and opportunities they need to succeed.
Sadie is a firm believer in maintaining high expectations for all children and young people and is committed to helping every pupil realise their potential. She champions a curriculum that is engaging, inclusive and accessible, recognising that learners thrive when they feel motivated, valued and inspired. Through a personalised and ambitious approach to education, she works to ensure that pupils make meaningful progress, develop confidence and resilience, and are well prepared for their future aspirations.
Laura Young – Deputy Headteacher (Personal Development, Behaviour and Culture)
Laura joined Meadowcroft School in June 2026 as Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for Personal Development, Behaviour and Culture.
Laura is passionate about creating school cultures where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive. Her work focuses on promoting positive relationships, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and ensuring that pupils develop the confidence, resilience and life skills needed to succeed both in school and beyond. A highly experienced safeguarding leader, Laura is committed to ensuring that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do, working closely with families, staff and external professionals to promote the safety, wellbeing and best outcomes for every young person.
Through her relational and child-centred approach, Laura plays a key role in creating an environment where every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.
Sarah Fisher – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Sarah brings over 10 years of experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families. Throughout her time at Meadowcroft School, she has undertaken a range of roles, progressing from Teaching Assistant to Family Liaison Officer and now Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. This breadth of experience gives her a deep understanding of the challenges many young people face and the support they need to succeed.
Sarah is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where every pupil feels valued, understood and able to thrive. She is committed to promoting the health, wellbeing and welfare of all members of the school community, working closely with pupils, families and professionals to ensure that children receive the right support at the right time.
Through her caring and relational approach, Sarah plays a key role in helping Meadowcroft remain a place where young people feel safe, develop confidence and are empowered to achieve their full potential.