REVEALED: The most oversubscribed secondary schools in Sheffield

There were 15 schools that refused year seven pupils a place in September, an increase from 13 the previous year - which included three that turned away pupils despite them living in the schools catchment area.

These were High Storrs, King Ecgbert and the new Mercia School, which opens in doors in September and was built to cope with growing pressure on school places.A further 12 were also oversubscribed as Sheffield Council continues to feel the pressure on providing secondary school places following an increase in birth rates.

Other children have been turned away from schools where their brothers and sisters have places or who attend one of the feeder schools.

The most oversubscribed schools was Tapton School, in Crosspool, where 140 pupils were refused one of the 264 places - 16 of which attend one of its feeder schools.

High Storrs, in Bents Green, refused places for 109 children - including 46 in its catchment area.

At King Ecgbert School, in Dore, 76 pupils were refused a place for September - including 14 living in its catchment area, while at Mercia School 66 pupils were turned away - including 46 in its catchment.

At the new Mercia School, 66 pupils were refused a place for September - including 46 who lived in the catchment area and 12 who are in one of its feeder schools.

Of the 6,187 students set to start secondary school in September, 97 per cent have been given a place at one of their three choices of school.

In addition, 89 per cent have been given their first choice of school, which is up from 87 per cent last year.

A rise in birth rates has put growing pressure on school places in some parts of the city.

In addition to Mercia School, on the Bannerdale site in south-west Sheffield, another school, Astrea Academy Sheffield, is being built in Burngreave.

Additional places will also be available at Oasis Academy Don Valley from September.

Councillor Jackie Drayton, Sheffield Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “This year we have provided more local school places to help us meet the needs of our growing population.

“The opening of the two new secondary schools, Mercia and Astrea, in the south west and north east of the city, as well additional secondary places at Don Valley, mean that this year, we have been able to provide an extra 400 year secondary school places to meet the demands across the city.

“The extra places have been crucial in making sure that Sheffield families are more likely to get into a school of their choosing than those elsewhere.

WI know this can be a difficult time for the small number of families who have not been offered one of their choices, but would encourage those parents and carers to get in touch to discuss their options.

“We really want the best for our children and young people and a huge priority for us is to keep on raising attainment and achievement rates across the city and great local schools across the city is key to this ambition.”

Other schools oversubscribed were Bradfield School, Bradfield; Ecclesfield School, Ecclesfield; Fir Vale School, Fir Vale; Forge Valley School, Stannington; Hinde House School, Wincobank; King Edward VII School, Broomhill; Meadowhead Academy, Meadowhead; Newfield School, Norton Lees; Sheffield Park Academy, Manor; Silverdale School, Bents Green and The Birley Academy, Birley.