Ecclesfield School Review 2026: A Large, Community-Focused Secondary in North Sheffield

Ecclesfield School is a substantial 11 to 16 secondary academy situated in the north of Sheffield, serving a broad catchment area that includes Ecclesfield, Chapeltown, and High Green. With a capacity for 1,750 students, it is one of the larger schools in the region, operating as part of the Minerva Learning Trust. The school has maintained a consistent profile in the local educational landscape, holding a Good rating from Ofsted since its last full inspection in July 2022.

The school is led by Executive Headteacher Mr Richard Walkden, with Mr Robert Goucher serving as the Head of School. The scale of the institution allows for a wide range of facilities and a broad curriculum, while the trust partnership provides a framework for shared expertise and resources. In the 2024 academic year, the school recorded a performance that places it within the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting its role as a steady, reliable community provider.

The atmosphere at Ecclesfield is busy and purposeful, typical of a large-scale secondary school. Its physical site on Chapeltown Road features a mix of traditional and more modern blocks, providing the space necessary to accommodate nearly 350 students per year group. The school functions as a genuine community hub, with a diverse student population that reflects its wide geographic intake.

The school's core values, work hard, be kind, aim high, and show grit, are a central pillar of its identity. These principles are woven into daily life, particularly within the behaviour and rewards systems. Under the Minerva Learning Trust, which the school joined in 2017, there has been a clear focus on aligning the school culture with high expectations for both academic effort and personal conduct.

Student leadership is a visible part of the character here. The school operates a Year 11 Prefect system and a Student Council, encouraging older students to take responsibility and act as role models for their younger peers. The house system, featuring houses named after Turing, Nightingale, Franklin, Rowling, and Churchill, further breaks down the large school population into smaller communities, fostering a sense of belonging through internal competitions and events.

The school ranks 1,910th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 18th among secondaries in Sheffield. This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), indicating a solid academic standard for a large comprehensive school.

In the 2024 results, students achieved an Attainment 8 score of 43.1. This is a measure of achievement across eight key subjects, including English and mathematics. The Progress 8 score of -0.22 indicates that, on average, students make progress that is slightly below the England average from their primary school starting points.

In 2024, 23.5% of students achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. This includes English, mathematics, sciences, a language, and a humanities subject. This focus on a traditional academic core remains a priority for the leadership team as they prepare students for post-16 transitions.

The curriculum at Ecclesfield is designed to be broad and balanced, meeting the needs of a large, mixed-ability intake. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9), students study a wide range of subjects including the creative arts, technology, and physical education alongside the core disciplines. The school has worked to ensure that the transition from primary school is handled effectively, with a dedicated transition team managing the move for the large Year 7 cohort.

As students move into Key Stage 4, they have access to a variety of GCSE and vocational options. The school offers specialist facilities for science and technology, and the large staffing body allows for a diverse range of subject specialists. Teaching is focused on clear structures and regular assessment to ensure students understand their current level of performance and how to improve.

The Minerva Learning Trust provides additional curriculum support, allowing teachers at Ecclesfield to collaborate with colleagues across other Sheffield schools. This partnership has been particularly focused on refining the delivery of the Ebacc subjects and ensuring that the most able students are sufficiently challenged to reach the top grades.

Given the size of the school, pastoral care is structured through a tiered system of support. Each student belongs to a tutor group, which serves as the first point of contact for daily concerns. These are grouped into year teams, led by a Year Leader and supported by a non-teaching Pastoral Manager. This ensures that even in a school of 1,750 students, there is a specific adult who understands each student’s individual circumstances.

The school places a high priority on attendance and positive behaviour. The school ethos is supported by a clear sanctions and rewards ladder. According to recent external observations, the school maintains a calm and orderly environment, with clear expectations for how students should conduct themselves in corridors and social spaces.

For students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the school’s learning support department provides tailored interventions. This include literacy support, social skills groups, and assistance within the classroom. The school works closely with local authority services in Sheffield to ensure that students with EHCPs are well-supported within the mainstream setting.

Extracurricular life at Ecclesfield is extensive, benefiting from the school's large scale and diverse staff interests. Sport is a significant pillar, with teams representing the school in Sheffield and South Yorkshire competitions in football, netball, rugby, and athletics. The school’s facilities, including a large sports hall and outdoor pitches, are used extensively for after-school fixtures.

The creative arts are also well-represented. The school typically stages a major annual musical production, involving students not only as performers but also in technical roles such as lighting, sound, and stage management. Recent productions have included well-known titles like High School Musical, drawing large audiences from the local community.

STEM: Innovation and Practical Learning

The school’s STEM provision is a clear area of focus, particularly through its well-equipped technology and science departments. Students participate in various national competitions, including the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior and Intermediate Challenges. The school also runs a Science Club where younger students can engage in practical experiments beyond the standard curriculum, fostering an early interest in the field.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm, offering a 32.5 hour week. Students are expected to arrive on site promptly to begin their first session.

Ecclesfield School is well-served by local transport links. It is situated near several major bus routes connecting Chapeltown and Sheffield city centre. While there is no dedicated school bus for the majority of students, the proximity to public transport makes it accessible for those living further afield in the north of the city.

• Large School Environment: With 1,750 students, Ecclesfield is a very large institution. While this brings diverse opportunities and facilities, it may feel overwhelming for some children who prefer a smaller setting. Families should consider whether their child will thrive in a high-population environment.
• Oversubscribed Status: In the most recent admissions cycle, the school was significantly oversubscribed, receiving 592 applications for its 350 places. This means that many families who place the school as a preference may not secure a place.
• Progress 8 Score: The 2024 Progress 8 score of -0.22 indicates that students make slightly less progress than the England average. While attainment remains solid, families seeking a school that significantly adds value to primary starting points should look closely at the school's specific subject-level data.
• No Sixth Form: Ecclesfield is an 11 to 16 school, meaning all students must transition to a new provider at the end of Year 11. Most students move on to local sixth form colleges or other secondary schools with post-16 provision in Sheffield.

Ecclesfield School is a robust, well-established secondary that serves as a cornerstone of the North Sheffield community. It offers a traditional, well-structured educational experience within a large and diverse environment. Best suited to students who are comfortable in a big school setting and who will take advantage of the broad range of sports and arts on offer. The school provides a solid foundation, though the main challenge for many will be securing a place given its current popularity.