Tag: schools

Posted on

Empowering Girls, Achieving Excellence:

Sheffield Girls’ GDST celebrates excellent ISI report.

Sheffield Girls’ GDST is celebrating an exceptional report following its Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection in December 2024. The report highlights the school’s exceptional academic standards, dynamic teaching, and strong pastoral care, reinforcing its reputation as one of the leading independent schools in the region.
The inspectors praised the school’s ability to empower its pupils, recognising the growth of self-esteem, self-reliance, self-knowledge, and leadership potential from Year 2 to Year 13 as a significant strength.
Among the many highlights, the report noted:
>Outstanding teaching: “Well-qualified and passionate teachers deliver vibrant, engaging, and challenging lessons.”
>A supportive environment: “Pupils are encouraged to take academic risks, learn from mistakes, and share ideas with confidence.”
> A culture of collaboration and respect: “Opportunities for debate and discussion allow pupils to value diverse viewpoints.”
>Inspirational leadership development: “The well-established Girls of Steel programme fosters confident and mature female role models.”
> Enriching co-curricular activities: “Pupils engage in a wide variety of opportunities that develop teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.”
>Exceptional pastoral care: “A nurturing, inclusive community where every pupil is supported to thrive.”
The report also commended the school’s highly effective teaching, engaging curriculum, and extensive co-curricular opportunities, which support pupils in developing independence, confidence, and resilience. Interim Head, Sarah White, expressed her pride in the school’s achievements:
“We are delighted that this report recognises the exceptional work of our staff and the enthusiasm of our pupils. The ISI team saw first-hand the confidence, kindness, and positivity that define Sheffield
Girls’ GDST and were particularly impressed by our Girls of Steel programme, which nurtures confident and mature female role models.”

She continued:
“This recognition reinforces our commitment to providing an outstanding all-through education, where every girl is encouraged to develop her potential from 4 to 18 years. I’d like to thank our staff, pupils, and parents for their ongoing support. This achievement belongs to our entire school community, and we look forward to celebrating it together.”
This outstanding inspection report reaffirms Sheffield Girls’ reputation as a centre of excellence, where girls thrive academically, socially, and personally in a supportive, inclusive and considerate environment.
To read the full ISI report, visit: https://www.sheffieldhighschool.org.uk/media/1nhplgjo/isi-final-

Posted on

Consultation on additional school places for Crosspool children

Sheffield City Council cabinet has agreed that residents should be consulted on providing additional school places at Hallam Primary school for children from Crosspool.

Crookes Councillor Geoff Smith explains: “For 2012 entry there were not enough places at Lydgate and some childen went to Hallam or Westways. There was not a problem this year but it is likely that there will be too many children for Lydgate in 2014 and in subsequent years. Expanding Lydgate is not a feasible option as it has a four-form (120) entry already and it is not physically possible or educationally desirable to increase the entry.

“Shortage of primary school places is a national and a Sheffield problem. In Sheffield we are building some new schools in the areas with the highest population growth. Crosspool is not one of the worst affected areas and, anyway, it would be very difficult to find a suitable site for an additional school in Crosspool.”

The consultation, which was agreed at the meeting last week, will run 26 September-7 November. We’ll post more details on it as soon as we know more. Consultation information will also be sent to schools and nurseries.

Posted on

Video: Nick Clegg answers questions at Crosspool Q&A

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg answered Crosspool residents’ concerns at a constituency question-and-answer session on Friday.

Over the course of an hour in Hallam FC’s Sandygate clubhouse, the Sheffield Hallam MP responded to queries regarding the economy, jobs, the High Speed 2 rail link, the Leveson inquiry and the PFI project to renew and maintain Sheffield’s roads.

Questions were also asked about specific Crosspool issues. After describing their experience of travelling on the 51 bus route, one resident asked: What are the government’s plans to encourage provincial commuters to move back to using public transport? Watch the video below to hear Nick Clegg’s response:

He also responded to queries regarding the government’s policy on catchment area placements being within walking distance of local schools. Listen to his answer below (audio only):

The subject of the lack of bus shelter at the Vernon Terrace bus stop was also raised. Although local councillors are continuing to look into this, the deputy prime minister promised to also take it up.

Local residents had been invited to the Q&A via a leaflet through their letter box.

You can email our MP with your query using nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk.

Posted on

Tapton academy plans postponed

Tapton school
Tapton school: academy bid has stalled

Controversial plans to change the status of Tapton secondary school in Crosspool to an academy have been put on hold due to legal issues raised by the school’s owner.

Private finance initiative company Interserve and its funders Lloyds Banking Group have concerns over how PFI schemes work with academy status, particularly over the way the council would make PFI payments on behalf of Tapton after it has become an academy.

The school is still committed to the conversion and barristers are working through the issue, although no new completion date has been announced.

The proposed move is unpopular with parents and teachers.

Controversial academy plan in chaos (The Star)