These were the Sheffield secondary schools that had to turn away the most children this year because they were so oversubscribed.
All parents want the best education for the children, but some schools are just that much harder to get into.
The most exclusive schools can turn away more pupils than they even have places to offer - such is the case at Sheffield’s Mercia School, which once again had two Y7 children vying for every seat in class this year.
Below, we've listed which Sheffield secondary schools were the most 'oversubscribed' for the 2026/27 academic year, meaning they were the hardest to get into in time for September 2026.
1. #11 - Meadowhead School Academy Trust, S8
The 11th most in demand secondary school in Sheffield is Meadowhead School Academy Trust, which turned down 43 pupils to fill its 340 places, an oversubscription rate of 13 per cent. Meadowhead has one of the highest intakes in Sheffield, beaten only by Ecclesfield which accepted 265 pupils this year. | Google
2. #10 - Oasis Academy Don Valley, S8, Oasis Community Learning
The 10th most oversubscribed secondary school in Sheffield for 2026/27 was Oasis Academy Don Valley, which turned down 19 pupils to fill its 150 available places, an oversubscription rate of 13 per cent. Oasis Academy took a tumble in May 2026 when several areas were rated 'requires improvement by Ofsted, noting: "the school is improving after a period of turbulence since its previous inspection."
3. #9 - Handsworth Grange Community Sports College, S13, Minerva Learning Trust
The 9th most in demand school in Sheffield for September 2026 was Handsworth Grange Community Sports College, which turned away 32 pupils to fill its 205 spaces, an oversubscription rate of 16 per cent. The school is working to get back in Ofsted's good books after tumbling from a rating of Outstanding down to Requires Improvement in 2017, a grade it maintained in July 2025.
4. #8 - Hinde House 2-16 Academy, S5, Brigantia Learning Trust
The 8th most oversubscribed secondary school in Sheffield for 2026/27 was Hinde House 2-16 Academy, which turned down 37 pupils to fill its 210 available places, an oversubscription rate of 18 per cent. Hinde House celebrated after being one of the first schools in Sheffield to receive an inspection under new Ofsted guidance, where it was praised for its inclusion of vulnerable and SEND pupils. | Google