Sheffield schools praised for making '˜positive improvements'

Fir Vale School and Sheffield Springs Academy in Gleadless, which had both previously failed to hit the national benchmark, have made big improvements, new performance tables reveal.

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In 2014, 39 per cent of Fir Vale School students taking GCSE exams achieved five A*-C grades including Maths and English. But 46 per cent of students have now made the grade after the school’s ‘best ever’ set of results.

Headteacher Breffni Martin said: “This has been a great year for Fir Vale School following a very good Ofsted Report – a real success story for our hard-working students.

“Governors, staff and students are delighted. Our English progress is one of the top in Sheffield.”

Sheffield Springs Academy has also turned a corner – with 41 per cent of pupils hitting the grade in 2015 compared with 30 per cent the year before. Principal Russell Heritage said: “We are pleased that these performance tables reflect improvements from 2014.

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“There is always more to do, however, and we are continually striving to improve and ensure that our students achieve their absolute best.”

Meadowhead School also had a huge rise of 18 per cent from the previous year – with 66 per cent of pupils achieving the GCSE benchmark.

Tapton School in Crosspool had the highest results from a city state school with 82 per cent of students achieving five A*-C grades including Maths and English.

Across Sheffield, 54 per cent of schools hit the target – compared with the national average of 53.8 per cent.

Coun Jackie Drayton, Sheffield Council cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “There have been some very positive improvements in a number of schools and young people are making good progress, with particular improvements in maths. This comes on top of this year’s increase in the number of secondary schools judged as good and outstanding by Ofsted – now 73 per cent compared to 61 per cent in 2012.”