These are the first eight schools in Sheffield to face inspectors under Ofsted’s “rigorous” new guidelines in 2026.
The new framework introduced this year no longer hands out one-word summaries to schools like ‘Inadequate’ or ‘Good’ - but is now widely considered much more demanding over what evidence schools must provide.
In particular, the different aspects of school life are graded individually. Schools up to scratch will score what is called the ‘expected standard,’ but early feedback suggests hitting this mark is harder than what it took to earn a ‘Good’ rating under the old system.
Other grades include ‘strong standard’ for schools doing very well, and ‘exceptional’ for settings that are carrying the flag as an example to others.
Below that is ‘needs attention’ for areas considered lacklustre, and ‘urgent improvement’ for inadequate work.
For example, one of the first schools rated in Sheffield under the new system was Carfield Primary School, which received a rating of ‘requires improvement’ in 2023 and came off strong in its latest report on March 23.
Carfield scored a 'strong standard' in six areas of school life and ‘strong standard’ in one.
The areas that inspectors look at are: achievement; curriculum & teaching, early years; inclusion; leadership & governance; personal development & wellbeing; and attendance & behaviour.
It has been a chance for Sheffield’s schools to show their stuff, and most have come off well despite the demand for evidence.
Winners include Dobcroft Junior School and Totley All Saints CofE Voluntary Aided Primary, which both earned a ‘strong standard’ in all areas.
One school that struggled, sadly, is Westfield School, which was the first secondary in Sheffield to receive a rating under the new rules. It has been fighting to recover from a lacklustre rating first dealt out in 2013, but unfortunately has now been graded ‘needs attention’ in all areas.
Here are the first eight schools in Sheffield to receive a rating under Ofsted’s new rules, and what inspectors had to say about them.
9. Southey Green Nursery & Primary School
Smooth sailing at Southey Green Nursery & Primary School, which was rated 'Good' in all areas in its last inspection in 2021 and was rated as holding an 'expected standard' in all areas in its latest report on March 19. The report reads: "Pupils benefit from learning in a calm, welcoming environment. From the early years onwards, staff establish routines and expectations that support pupils to settle quickly and feel happy and safe in school. Staff know pupils well and treat pupils as individuals." - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/139133 | Google Maps