Best secondary schools in South Yorkshire
School choices can be strong in South Yorkshire, but the decision gets much better when you compare them with postcode stability at the same time. 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 South Yorkshire secondary schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 secondary schools in South Yorkshire on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the South Yorkshire comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More secondary schools in South Yorkshire
Positions 11–30 in the South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire
Questions about secondary schools in South Yorkshire
What is the best secondary school in South Yorkshire?
Mercia School is the top-ranked secondary school in South Yorkshire (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 South Yorkshire secondary pool.
What is the best primary school in South Yorkshire?
Totley Primary School tops the South Yorkshire primary school ranking (LocaleIQ 99.9). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 92% · higher 33%. See the full primary school ranking for South Yorkshire for the complete list.
Which secondary schools in South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire: 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 South Yorkshire are rated Outstanding by Ofsted?
4 secondary schools in the South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire?
This ranking covers 74 secondary schools in the South Yorkshire comparison pool, across 4 local authority districts. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Which area of South Yorkshire 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 choices can be strong in South Yorkshire, but the decision gets much better when you compare them with postcode stability at the same time. Postcode averages mask individual variation — always review each school's full profile.
Ranking data last computed 29 March 2026.