At least according to the education watchdog Ofsted, an ‘Outstanding’ school is one that comes up gleaming in most, if not all, of their inspection criteria, and should provide the highest quality education and care for its children.
These are the 16 best rated primary, junior and infant schools in Sheffield.
The Steel City has had some amazing outcomes recently, such as Broomhill Infant School and St Catherine’s Catholic Primary which both maintained their ‘Outstanding’ rating in their most recent inspections this year.
However, take some of these ratings with a pinch of salt – as The Star has previously reported, some of Sheffield’s ‘Outstanding’ schools have now been waiting up to 10 years or more for a reinspection from Ofsted.
All being well, these schools will be just as good at their next visit – for now, their ‘Outstanding’ rating stands.
The Steel City has had some amazing outcomes recently, such as Broomhill Infant School and St Catherine’s Catholic Primary which both maintained their ‘Outstanding’ rating in their most recent inspections this year.
![Coit Primary School was rated outstanding at in inspection in December 2019 - then maintained it in its latest report in November 2022. The report said: "There is a strong sense of community at Coit Primary School. Pupils feel safe and enjoy learning."
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50200544](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVkYjNjODdmLWQ5OGItNGRjMi1hZGZiLWU0ZmQ5ZDY5MGM3ZDo5MjkzMjk1MC01YzY4LTRhNTQtOTQ5Ny0zNWI5NjA4NzI1ZWU=.png?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Coit Primary School
Coit Primary School was rated outstanding at in inspection in December 2019 - then maintained it in its latest report in November 2022. The report said: "There is a strong sense of community at Coit Primary School. Pupils feel safe and enjoy learning." - https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50200544 Photo: Google
![Dore Primary School, in Furniss Avenue, was rated outstanding in its latest inspection in March 2015. The report said pupils make "outstanding progress from their starting points".](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFlMzM5NGJhLTMxNWMtNGU4ZC1iOWIzLWI4MzNjNWQ4ZTVmZjphM2E2NTk4ZS03NWY0LTRlN2ItYmE0ZS01Mjk1NjRmNzA4YTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Dore Primary School
Dore Primary School, in Furniss Avenue, was rated outstanding in its latest inspection in March 2015. The report said pupils make "outstanding progress from their starting points". Photo: JPI
![Hunter's Bar Junior School, Sharrow Vale Road, was rated outstanding at its inspection in October 2018. The report said the school had "exceptional leadership at all levels".
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50039859](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmY4NjQxMWJkLWM5NDAtNDNkNC05MThlLWI1YjU5NmE3YWEwYzpiZTlhN2FlZC01MmM0LTQyOTUtODk5MC1jOTdhODQ3N2VjODk=.png?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Hunter's Bar Junior School
Hunter's Bar Junior School, Sharrow Vale Road, was rated outstanding at its inspection in October 2018. The report said the school had "exceptional leadership at all levels". - https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50039859 Photo: Google
![Oasis Academy Watermead, in Barrie Crescent, was rated outstanding in its latest inspection in 2017. The report said pupils' behaviour is "excellent".
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2726459](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI0ZTM3MzIyLTc1ZmYtNDUxZC04NTRhLTgzNzI1Y2ZkMTFkYzpiN2Q5NWY2MS1iMDk4LTQxY2YtOWY4Ny03ODA5YTZhMGViZDc=.png?crop=3:2&width=747)
8. Oasis Academy Watermead
Oasis Academy Watermead, in Barrie Crescent, was rated outstanding in its latest inspection in 2017. The report said pupils' behaviour is "excellent". - https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2726459 Photo: Google