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.
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".
![Heritage Park School, on Norfolk Park Road, was rated as 'requires improvement' by Ofsted at its inspection in January 2019. They received a monitoring visit in July 2022 where inspectors felt effective action is being taken to get the school rated 'Good' again.
- https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/25/126705](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU3YjkxNTFmLTAyOTUtNDI4OS04MzVkLWYxOTk1NjA0NTcxMzpiNDA0ZWM0OS0yNWM4LTQ0NWEtODBkMC03MGUwYjk3OGRiMjE=.png?crop=3:2&width=731)
13. Heritage Park School
Heritage Park School, on Norfolk Park Road, was rated as 'requires improvement' by Ofsted at its inspection in January 2019. They received a monitoring visit in July 2022 where inspectors felt effective action is being taken to get the school rated 'Good' again. - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/25/126705 | Google Maps Photo: Google
![The Birley Academy was rated 'Requires Improvement' for the fourth time in a row in a report published in May 17 - meaning it has now been rated so for 10 years. Inspectors said that pupils' experiences were "mixed" - some enjoyed good relationships with their education but "too many do not enjoy learning". - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/143963](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUyMjI1YmIwLTA4ZjAtNDNjZi1hNmUzLTlkYzg5MWYzODQ5NTo5OTRkMGUzMC1lMjZjLTRjNGUtOGI0Zi0xOTczY2IyYTVmMDQ=.png?crop=3:2&width=671)
14. The Birley Academy
The Birley Academy was rated 'Requires Improvement' for the fourth time in a row in a report published in May 17 - meaning it has now been rated so for 10 years. Inspectors said that pupils' experiences were "mixed" - some enjoyed good relationships with their education but "too many do not enjoy learning". - https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/143963 | Google Maps Photo: Google
![Carfield Primary School was rated 'requires improvement' in all areas in a report on June 26 after coming through what Ofsted inspectors called "an unsettled time". Inspectors wrote: "Following the school’s last inspection, leaders have continued to work hard to improve the school."
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50221393](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdhZmM0ZWE3LTFmYzctNDBmZC04YmE4LTBjOTM1N2MwOGQ3Yjo5YmYyMjRlZi05MGM4LTRhNTUtOTQyOC04ZTYzMjQ4YTlkNjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
15. Carfield Primary School
Carfield Primary School was rated 'requires improvement' in all areas in a report on June 26 after coming through what Ofsted inspectors called "an unsettled time". Inspectors wrote: "Following the school’s last inspection, leaders have continued to work hard to improve the school." - https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50221393 | Google Maps Photo: Alastair Ulke
![Westfield School has not risen above a grade of 'Requires Improvement' since 2013. However, the latest inspection report in July 2023 was not without compliments, praising the student experience but finding pupils were too "boisterous" at times.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY0ZDgyMTNiLTVhMjUtNDBlZC05YzkzLTMxM2ZiMjBmMmY5MjphYmZlN2ZiOS01MjU5LTQ4MWQtYmE5Ni01ZjYwZDBjOTlkZjM=.png?crop=3:2&width=789)
16. Westfield School
Westfield School has not risen above a grade of 'Requires Improvement' since 2013. However, the latest inspection report in July 2023 was not without compliments, praising the student experience but finding pupils were too "boisterous" at times. | Google Maps Photo: Google