The school's name came from Kings Meadow Island in the Tyne, which was dredged away in the nineteenth century to allow large ships up the river.

The school serves the communities of Dunston, Winlaton, Bensham, Lobley Hill, Team Valley and Swalwell.

Kingsmeadow won the DFES School Achievement Award in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and contains the Life Long Learning Centre (LLLC).

The Duke of Kent visited on 20 March 2009 to officially open the new school building.

In March 2010 the school was inspected by Ofsted and deemed "good with outstanding features".