Here are the latest Ofsted reports for Sheffield’s schools and nurseries published during the summer holidays of 2026.
Ever since the arrival of new, tougher guidelines this year, school inspections are now more than ever a mix of praise and stern criticisms.
These nine schools and nurseries have had their latest inspection report published over July and August of 2026 - or, for added tension, some have come out during the very first week of the new term in September 2026.
Winners among Sheffield’s latest inspection reports include Swallownest Primary School, with three areas graded at a high-flying ‘strong standard’ and praise for its children who “arrive happily and settle quickly”.
Another was Bankwood Community, which has recovered from an ‘Inadequate’ report in 2022 and is now hitting the ‘expected standard’ in all areas.
Inspectors wrote: “Pupils enjoy being part of this school.”
Others were harshly criticised.
Stocksbridge High School was scolded for “unacceptable” attendance records and a high number of disadvantaged pupils leaving “without basic qualifications”.
Another was Sunflower Children’s Centre nursery, where inspectors were so unimpressed by practices they wrote: “Children's welfare and wellbeing are not sufficiently prioritised within this setting."
1. Stocksbridge High School - "The vast majority of disadvantaged pupils [leave] without basic qualifications..."
Ofsted scolded Stocksbridge High School in its latest report published on July 12, 2026. Inspectors ruled pupils had ”unacceptable” attendance records, while disadvantaged students often leave without “basic qualifications” to succeed in life. Two areas were graded as needing 'urgent improvement' and four as 'needs attention,' which sadly makes it one of the lowest rated secondary schools in Sheffield under the new system. Ofsted recognised actions taken already, saying that “small steps are being taken towards better outcomes in future,” and that poor behaviour, focus, and the “climate for learning” is improving. - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/145274 | National World
2. St Patrick's Catholic Voluntary Academy - "Leaders are taking effective action"
After a turbulent few years, including being rated 'inadequate' in 2024, St Patrick's Catholic Voluntary Academy is on the up, with Ofsted claiming work to get school life back up to scratch is paying dividends. An ungraded monitoring report published on July 16 reads: "Leaders and governors are taking effective action to improve the school but continued work is needed to remove the special measures designation." - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/139347
![The community of Sheffield's All Saints Catholic High School is still reeling from the on-site murder of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose in 2025. His death's impact can be felt in its latest Ofsted report, published on July 16, where inspectors praised safeguarding reforms. It reads: “Leaders have navigated the school through difficult times, responding appropriately and with urgency to external guidance. [Pupils] feel safe and form trusting bonds with adults. This is, in part, a result of the steps leaders have taken to improve how the school safeguards pupils." All areas were rated at 'expected standard'.
- https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/138337](https://www.connachttribune.ie/jpim-static/image/2025/02/04/9/38/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-04-at-08-49-58.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&crop=&width=800)
3. All Saints' Catholic High School - “Leaders have navigated the school through difficult times”
The community of Sheffield's All Saints Catholic High School is still reeling from the on-site murder of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose in 2025. His death's impact can be felt in its latest Ofsted report, published on July 16, where inspectors praised safeguarding reforms. It reads: “Leaders have navigated the school through difficult times, responding appropriately and with urgency to external guidance. [Pupils] feel safe and form trusting bonds with adults. This is, in part, a result of the steps leaders have taken to improve how the school safeguards pupils." All areas were rated at 'expected standard'. - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/138337 | National World
4. Kenwood Nature Nursery - "Children do not always make the best progress they could"
File photo. Kenwood Nature Nursery's, in Cemetery Road, is one of several nature schools in Sheffield that have been looked down on by Ofsted in recent years. In its latest report on July 23, inspectors graded three areas at 'expected standard' and three as 'needs attention.' It reads: "...inconsistencies in leaders' and staff's curriculum planning and the quality of teaching means children do not always make the best progress they could in all aspects of their learning." - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY543517 | Middlewood Nature Nursery