New name and new chapter for Sheffield's 'worst performing' secondary school after Mercia rebrand
“This is about much more than a new name”
One of Sheffield’s worst performing schools has hailed a “new era” after joining the trust behind one of the best schools in the country.
After a turbulent few years for Chaucer School, including an ‘inadequate’ rating by Ofsted in 2022 and consistently scoring among the lowest grades in the city, the Parson Cross secondary has welcomed pupils back under a new name - Mercia Northridge.
The school left former operators INOVA over the summer and is now part of Mercia Learning Trust, with a new “ambitious vision” to offer children in deprived Sheffield postcodes “the same opportunities to succeed as young people anywhere in the country”.
The school welcomed its first Year 7 pupils last Wednesday, with pupils in other year groups joining them today (Monday, September 7).
Headteacher Joanna Crewe said: “Opening our doors this week marks the beginning of an incredibly exciting new era for our school and our community.
“We firmly believe that every child should be able to access the very best education and have the opportunity to succeed. A child’s postcode or background should never put a ceiling on what they can achieve, and our responsibility is to make sure our pupils have the knowledge, opportunities and support they need to aim high.
“We are building a school where high standards and high care go hand in hand. We want our pupils to work hard, to be kind, to persevere when things are difficult and to take responsibility for themselves and the community around them.
“We are incredibly excited about what we can achieve together with our pupils, families and staff. I would encourage everyone in our community to come and see the school for themselves at our open day on 17 September. It will be a great opportunity to discover more about the school and hear about our ambitions for Mercia Northridge.”
Neil Miley, Chief Executive Officer of Mercia Learning Trust, said: “We know what is possible when high expectations, excellent teaching, strong routines and a culture of care come together. We have seen that across our schools, including the significant progress made by disadvantaged pupils at Newfield this year, and we are determined to bring that same ambition to the children and community of Parson Cross.
“Mercia Northridge is a tremendous opportunity. This is about much more than a new name. It is about making sure that children in north Sheffield have the knowledge, qualifications and opportunities they need to succeed and that their postcode never puts a ceiling on what they can achieve.”
The former Chaucer School was branded ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in all areas in 2022.
It shook off the rating and was graded ‘requires improvement’ in a far more complimentary report from inspectors in April 2025, but continued to place as either the worst or second-worst performing school in the city for GCSE exam results for several years.
Meanwhile, Mercia Learning Trust is in charge of the top performing secondary in Sheffield, Mercia School, which is also rated as one of the best in the country.
Mercia Northridge will hold an open day on September 17 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.