The Birley Academy
Sheffield, S12 3BP · Sheffield · secondary school
Check the area around this school
16th of 29 secondary schools in Sheffield we can score, 30 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.9/10 against 624 of them, against 3.5/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 42.7 · 44 | 46% | 2.03 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.28 · 29 | 38% | 1.11 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.5 · 26 | 15% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Birley Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 27.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.28 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in football tours and skiing, with trips to Lisbon, Bulgaria, Germany, and Iceland.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,061 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,163. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about The Birley Academy
Overview
The Birley Academy has improved significantly since its previous inspection, with leaders raising expectations for behaviour and achievement. Most pupils are meeting these higher standards, resulting in a positive school culture where bullying has reduced and exam outcomes are improving year on year.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well designed to build their knowledge and understanding over time," with staff receiving professional development to deepen their subject expertise.
- Behaviour in lessons is described as "calm and purposeful," with pupils confident that bullying will be dealt with effectively.
- The school provides "high-quality provision" for pupils needing reading support, leading to quick improvements in their abilities.
- Leaders plan improvements systematically to ensure they are "long lasting, rather than merely ‘papering over the cracks’."
- Governors are "highly knowledgeable about the school" and hold leaders to account for delivering high-quality education.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must apply teaching strategies more flexibly, adapting lessons based on pupils’ demonstrated knowledge, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The school needs to ensure its work with families helps improve pupils’ attendance "consistently and effectively," as some pupils remain absent too often.
- The personal development programme must ensure pupils develop a secure understanding of democracy and different faiths and religions to be fully prepared for life.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.6 |
| 2024/25 | 37.2 |
| 2025/26 | 41.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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