Big changes are coming to the way schools in England are rated, and the rating of ‘outstanding’ is on the way out.
Beginning in 2026, schools no longer are no longer graded ‘inadequate, requires improvement, good, outstanding.’
Instead, schools will now be rated with a scorecard approach that rates various aspects of the school on whether they meet expected standards.
This was rolled out to replace the former system where schools’ ratings were summed up in a single word - a system that was revaluated and strongly criticised following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life soon after after her Berkshire school was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2023.
As of January 21, 2026, no Sheffield schools had received one of these new scorecards.
But 2025 was also the year a large number of primary schools received their first Ofsted visit in a decade.
Former guidelines once meant schools that earned an ‘outstanding’ rating would not be visited again, until this too was changed in 2020.
However, many of these schools in Sheffield had nothing to worry about, and typically kept their ‘outstanding’ rating upon reinspection.
These are the eight Sheffield schools that were rated ‘outstanding’ or partly outstanding in 2025.
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5. Nether Edge Primary School
Another Sheffield school that was last inspected in 2015 was Nether Edge Primary School, which scored Outstanding in all areas following a visit in March 2025. The report reads: "Pupils are happy and thrive at this school. The curriculum is very well designed and delivered. The school has high ambitions for pupils’ education. These high ambitions are realised and pupils achieve well. Those pupils who enter the school with low starting points achieve exceptionally well." | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps
6. Oasis Academy Watermead
Oasis Academy Watermead was rated Outstanding in its last Ofsted visit in 2017. It was revisited in July 2025, where it was instead rated Good overall and Outstanding in its early years provision. The report reads: "Pupils enjoy coming to this school. Pupils settle into the school’s routines quickly. Staff know pupils and their families well. They work with parents and carers to support them in their child’s education. Pupils trust staff to help them if they have a worry or concern." - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/140219 | Google Maps Photo: Google
7. Loxley Primary School
Loxley Primary School is another that was last visited and rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2015. It was rated Outstanding in all areas on reinspection in March 2025. The report reads: "This is an exceptional school. The school motto of ‘aiming high together’ encapsulates a vision shared by all staff, pupils and families. Pupils feel safe and valued. They are proud of the school and thrive during their time at Loxley." - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/146405 | Google
8. Hunter's Bar Junior School
Hunter's Bar Junior School was last visited in 2018 where it was rated Outstanding in all areas, and maintained the score in a report published January 2025. The report reads: "Pupils love coming to Hunter’s Bar Junior School. They live up to the high expectations set by staff. Pupils’ high levels of attendance and positive attitudes to learning are exemplary. The school’s mission of ‘learning for life’ begins when pupils join the school. Parents and carers, staff and pupils hold the school in high regard." - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/106994 | Google