Today is the day Sheffield parents and their little ones find out which 'big school' they are going to this September.
National Offer Day 2024 (March 1) is when children find out which secondary school they will start at in the new academic year.
Every parent wants their little one to go to the best school they can. So when they pick their top three preferences for the new academic year, it can make finding out on March 1 a momentous day.
However, not everyone gets into their first choice - the very best schools can turn away nearly as many students as they have places to offer, they are that in demand.
Below, we've listed which Sheffield secondary schools were the most 'oversubscribed' for September 2023, meaning they were the hardest to get into for a place in Y7.
1. Mercia School - 76 per cent oversubscribed
Mercia School was - once again - the most oversubscribed school in Sheffield for 2023. It turned away 137 students to fill its 180 places, meaning a staggering oversubscription rate over 76 per cent. This also means Mercia has the second smallest intake in the city. The parents that did get in will be pleased though - the school was recently ranked in the top three in the country for the all-important Progress 8 scores. Photo: Scott Merrylees
2. King Edward VII - 44 per cent oversubscribed
King Edward VII was the second most oversubscribed secondary school in Sheffield in 2023, refusing 107 pupils to fill its 240 spaces. The school this year fought off an academisation attempt by the DfE and Ofsted, but will now remain independent after being rated 'Good' again by Ofsted.
3. Tapton School - 41 per cent oversubscribed
Tapton School was the third most oversubscribed secondary school in Sheffield in 2022, refusing 109 pupils to fill its 268 spaces. It also recently placed as the third best performing school in the city for its Progress 8 scores.
4. Handsworth Grange Community Sports College - 37 per cent oversubscribed
Handsworth Grange Community Sports College was the fourth most oversubscribed secondary school in Sheffield in 2023, refusing 75 pupils to fill its 205 spaces. It has been a bumpy year, after it lost its 'Outstanding' rating in January 2023, and has now appointed its former deputy headteacher, Suzy Matlock, as its new headteacher. Photo: Google