All but three primary and infant schools in Sheffield were oversubscribed this year, according to figures published by Sheffield CouncilAll but three primary and infant schools in Sheffield were oversubscribed this year, according to figures published by Sheffield Council
All but three primary and infant schools in Sheffield were oversubscribed this year, according to figures published by Sheffield Council

These are the hardest primary schools in Sheffield to get your children into in 2021

New figures reveal the primary schools in Sheffield which are most oversubscribed, with some turning away nearly as many children as they accepted.

Parents learned last Friday, April 16, whether their children had been awarded a place at the primary school of their choice.

Sheffield Council has now published details of how many pupils were accepted to start at each school in September 2021 and how many were turned away because that school was oversubscribed.

Of the 34 primary and infant schools across the city for which figures are provided, there were just three which didn’t have to refuse a place to a single child, which were Prince Edward, Walkley and Watercliffe Meadow.

More than half were oversubscribed by at least 10 places.

Other schools operate different over-subscription criteria so no figures were provided for them.

But the council said that in addition to the schools in its table, the following Catholic schools were also oversubscribed: Sacred Heart, St Catherine’s, St Joseph’s, St Theresa’s, St Thomas More, St Thomas of Canterbury.

It added that the Church of England schools Parson Cross, Porter Croft and Totley All Saints were oversubscribed too, as was Broomhill Infant Foundation School.

A range of factors are taken into account when deciding which children are awarded places at oversubscribed schools, including whether they are or have been in care, if they have special educational needs, the distance they live from the school and whether they have any older siblings at their preferred school.

Parents unhappy with the decision have until May 14 to lodge an appeal and the council says that every effort will be made to hear appeals ‘as soon as reasonably practicable’.

Below are the 18 primary and infant schools listed by Sheffield Council which were oversubscribed for the 2021/22 academic year by at least 10 places.

Of the 34 primary and infant schools across the city for which figures are provided, there were just three which didn’t have to refuse a place to a single child, which were Prince Edward, Walkley and Watercliffe Meadow.