As a new school year approaches, it's worth taking note of which Sheffield schools are still on an improvement journey and have the chance to use the new term as a fresh start.
There are currently 16 primary or secondary schools in the Steel City rated as 'requires improvement' by the education watchdog, according to its website.
In many cases, the inspection reports are not without compliments, such as how pupils at Birley Spa Primary Academy are "polite and respectful", how the children at Eckington Junior School were "happy, police and enthusiastic".
Some should be seen as good news as well. Clifford All Saints CofE was rated 'requires improvement' in all areas but was highly positive about the direction it was headed, particularly after the severely critical monitoring visit the previous year.
But, often, the overall grade was brought down by some crucial weakness or gaps in how children are taught, such as slip-ups in the 'quality of education' at Gleadless Primary School.
However, in several cases, some of these Sheffield schools have been waiting up to four years for Ofsted to come back to they can prove themselves. Birley Spa Primary has not had a routine monitoring visit since it was rated in November 2019, even when guidance is that inspectors should check in in less than two years.
Let's hope there are better days ahead for these schools heading into the 2023/2024 academic year.
9. Al-Mahad Al-Islami school
Al-Mahad Al-Islami, in Darnall Road, is a Islamic faith school and received an inspection on June 14. It was able to shake off its Inadequate rating from 2019 and is now rated 'Requires Improvement'. In fact, the report was highly complimentary, but scored them down due to 'leadership of some subjects'. - https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50193303 | Google MAps Photo: Alastair Ulke
10. Killamarsh Junior School
An Ofsted inspection of Killamarsh Junior School in October 2022 found out that the school requires improvement in all categories. Inspectors said that pupils enjoy participating in lunchtime activities. They like the different games the staff provide. They said that this has reduced poor behaviour and has made their social times calmer and more purposeful. - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/112578 Photo: Google Maps
11. Fir Vale School
Fir Vale School, on Owler Lane, was rated as 'requires improvement' by Ofsted at its most recent inspection in October 2022, the same grade it got in 2019. The report was complimentary, but inspectors felt the curriculum could be stronger. - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/138925 | National WOrld Photo: Marisa Cashill
12. Handsworth Grange Community Sports College
Handsworth Grange Community Sports College slipped from ‘outstanding’ to ‘requires improvement’ in an Ofsted inspection in January 2023. Inspectors wrote: "Pupils behave well in lessons and show positive attitudes to their education. However, some pupils’ behaviour at social times is not good enough." | Google MAps Photo: Google