Best secondary schools in Sheffield
School-led moves in Sheffield tend to reward the same western arc, although there are still pockets where school quality and area score diverge. This ranking covers 74 secondary schools across 4 local authority districts. Postcode area S11 has the highest average school score (78.2 across 2 schools), while S13 sits at the lower end (8.1). 84% of ranked Sheffield secondary schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 secondary schools in Sheffield on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the Sheffield comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More secondary schools in Sheffield
Positions 11–30 in the Sheffield ranking.
| # | School | LocaleIQ | Ofsted | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | St Bernard's Catholic High School | 74.6 | Good | Secondary |
| 12 | Penistone Grammar School | 71.7 | Good | Secondary |
| 13 | Darton Academy | 70.4 | Good | Secondary |
| 14 | Notre Dame High School | 69.6 | Good | Secondary |
| 15 | King Edward VII School | 68.1 | Good | Secondary |
| 16 | Ridgewood School | 66 | Good | Secondary |
| 17 | Astrea Academy Sheffield | 65 | Good | All-through |
| 18 | All Saints' Catholic High School | 64.4 | Good | Secondary |
| 19 | Wickersley School and Sports College | 63.4 | Good | Secondary |
| 20 | The Hayfield School | 63.2 | Good | Secondary |
| 21 | Doncaster UTC | 61.3 | Good | Secondary |
| 22 | The Laurel Academy | 60.9 | Good | Secondary |
| 23 | Hall Cross Academy | 58.2 | Good | Secondary |
| 24 | Forge Valley School & Sixth Form | 57.5 | Good | Secondary |
| 25 | Sir Thomas Wharton Academy | 57.3 | Good | Secondary |
| 26 | Horizon Community College | 53 | Good | Secondary |
| 27 | De Warenne Academy | 52.8 | Good | Secondary |
| 28 | Meadowhead School Academy Trust | 52.4 | Good | Secondary |
| 29 | Wales High School | 52.3 | Good | Secondary |
| 30 | UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park | 50.6 | Good | Secondary |
Keep exploring Sheffield
Questions about secondary schools in Sheffield
What is the best secondary school in Sheffield?
Mercia School is the top-ranked secondary school in Sheffield (LocaleIQ score 97.1 out of 100). Ofsted: Outstanding. Attainment 8 68.1. The score combines Ofsted outcome, Progress 8 and Attainment 8, and cohort-weighted percentile ranks within the Sheffield secondary pool.
What is the best primary school in Sheffield?
Totley Primary School tops the Sheffield primary school ranking (LocaleIQ 99.9). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 92% · higher 33%. See the full primary school ranking for Sheffield for the complete list.
Which secondary schools in Sheffield have the best GCSE results?
Attainment 8 measures average GCSE grades across eight subjects; Progress 8 compares actual grades against predictions based on KS2 — a positive figure means pupils outperformed expectations. Top performers in Sheffield: Mercia School (Attainment 8 68.1); King Ecgbert School (Attainment 8 56.1); Tapton School & Sixth Form (Attainment 8 58.0). Both metrics feed into the LocaleIQ secondary school score.
Which secondary schools in Sheffield are rated Outstanding by Ofsted?
4 secondary schools in the Sheffield ranking hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating: Mercia School, King Ecgbert School, Tapton School & Sixth Form, Hungerhill School. Outstanding means Ofsted judged the school exceptional in all inspection areas. LocaleIQ weighs DfE performance data alongside Ofsted, so a Good-rated school can still rank highly.
How many secondary schools are ranked in Sheffield?
This ranking covers 74 secondary schools in the Sheffield comparison pool, across 4 local authority districts. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Which area of Sheffield has the best secondary schools?
By average LocaleIQ score across postcode areas, S11 has the strongest cluster — 78.2 average across 2 ranked secondary schools. S13 sits at the lower end (8.1 average). School-led moves in Sheffield tend to reward the same western arc, although there are still pockets where school quality and area score diverge. Postcode averages mask individual variation — always review each school's full profile.
Ranking data last computed 29 March 2026.