Parents and families across Sheffield today learned which secondary school their children have been allocated.
The following outcomes are reported for the Sheffield Local Authority based on the position at the national allocation date of 3 March 2025:
- First preferences met – 89.02% (5,978 pupils)
- Second preferences met - 6.16% (413 pupils)
- Third preferences met - 1.71% (115 pupils)
- No preferences met - 3.11% (209 pupils)
This represents a slight decrease on the figures for 2024, where 6,077 pupils (90.43%) were allocated a place at their first preference secondary school.
While the number of preferences met is very high, it is unfortunately not always possible to accommodate all catchment area applicants because places are limited by the size of the school.
If a pupil has not been offered a place at one of its three preferred schools, a place will be offered at the nearest available school.
“We are delighted that, once again, so many children across Sheffield will be starting at their preferred secondary school this September.
“We know it will be frustrating for those that didn’t get their choice of school, but the numbers who don’t get any of their three preferred choices remains low. If that is the case, then the independent appeal panel will hear your case.”
Cllr Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Families Committee at Sheffield City Council
Appeals
Parents of pupils not eligible for a place to any of their preferred schools have the right to appeal against the refusal to an independent appeal panel. Further information will be sent to parents about the appeal procedure. Appeals will be heard from April onwards. Please note, the deadline for parents to submit their appeals is Friday 28 March.
The Local Authority holds waiting lists for pupils who didn’t get a place at a school that they ranked higher than that which was allocated. Parents should be aware there is no guarantee of obtaining a school place from the waiting list but to bear in mind that there is always movement between March and September.
The waiting list will come into operation from today (Monday 3 March) and will be maintained until December 2025.
Help and Advice
The Admissions Team is available to provide advice and guidance about how to appeal, waiting list positions and other schools with places available.
The Admissions Team can be contacted via email to find out which other schools have places available and make any request to change their preferences.
Alternatively, further information is available on the Sheffield City Council school places site.
