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Reviewed

Birkdale School

Independent school · Sheffield, S10 3DH
  • Secondary
  • Boys
  • Ages 11-18
  • From £19,362 pa
  • 589 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

A lively school, strongly linked to the community and the world beyond with its impressive charitable activities. Pupils are cheerful and enthusiastic, obviously stimulated. Their USP is the ability to focus on individual development within a dynamic and caring community.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
589 ·
Sixth form numbers
196 ·
Religion
Christian
Fees
£19,362 - £19,914 pa
Local authority
Sheffield City Council
Linked schools

Headteacher

Head

Mr Peter Harris

Since January 2019, Peter Harris MSc BSc PGCE NPQH, previously principal of Ewell Castle School in Surrey. He used to be head of geography here before moving on to become vice principal at Bournemouth Collegiate School. Three children; he enjoys o


Entrance

Year group of 72 with around 60 per cent from the prep and remainder from a range of other primaries. Entrance is by exam at 11 for all, with school reference also required. Top 12-16 are invited back for a second day, after which scholarships are

Open days
November

Exit

Around 15 per cent leave after GCSEs. Five to Oxbridge in 2024 and many to other Russell Group universities. Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Newcastle all popular. Broad range of subjects covered eg economics, engineering, law, mu


Latest results

In 2024, 59 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 47 per cent at A*/A at A level (73 per cent A*-B).

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
32%
LA avg.
20%
Eng. avg.
20%
Data highlight

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.


Teaching & learning

Results are consistently creditable. Maths and sciences popular and successful, however only a small take up for languages at A level. Greek and Mandarin offered as extracurricular clubs. Design technology, comprising graphics, electronics and res

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE

Learning support & SEN

SEN available for mild cases only and costs extra, however SENCo has an open door and welcomes any struggling pupil to informal drop-in sessions.

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
17 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Impressive art much in evidence throughout the school with a huge and colourful variety of media and styles. Lots of emphasis on fine art and drawing skills, impressive copies of old masters – Vermeer, Rembrandt, even Botticelli. A visiting tutor


Sport

Constraints of being an inner-city school on a Victorian site have forced the playing fields to Castle Dyke, a 10-minute drive away. However, extensive pitches, complete with 10 lane cricket nets and modern pavilion, more than compensate. There is


Ethos & heritage

An ambitious school in every way. Founded as a boys' prep in 1904, it created a senior department in 1978, adding a sixth form in 1988. The only all boys independent school in Sheffield, parents say they understand boys extremely well. Girls joine


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Pastoral care is high on the agenda emanating from the school’s strong Christian ethos. It is not heavy-handed but focuses on nurture and mutual respect with the advantage that the school is small enough for everyone to know everyone. First port o


Pupils & parents

Parents represent a healthy cultural mix. Lots of medics and many who make big sacrifices to send their boys. Most fairly local but some travel significant distances, coming from as far as Bakewell and Rotherham. Plenty of social events and parent

589
Number of pupils

Money matters

Variety of scholarships awarded at 11+ and 16+, both academic and music, with a combined ceiling of 25 per cent apart from cases of financial need which can be topped up with a bursary. Sixth form have sports scholarships and the Arkwright for DT

Fee information
£19,362 - £19,914 pa

The last word

A lively school, strongly linked to the community and the world beyond with its impressive charitable activities. Pupils are cheerful and enthusiastic, obviously stimulated. Their USP is the ability to focus on individual development within a dyna

What the school says

Birkdale is the only school in Sheffield which combines an exclusive focus on boys aged 4 to 16 years with a thriving co-educational sixth form. Our care for each individuals needs is at the heart of what we do. Birkdale is a school where all pupils can reach their full potential. A place where hard work, individual attention, discipline and good manners are underpinned by Christian values. Standards of teaching and learning are outstanding. with our pupils gaining some of the best exam results in the region.

Contact the school

Address

Oakholme Road
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S10 3DH
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Birkdale School Oakholme Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 3DH
589 Pupil numbers
196 Sixth form numbers
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Birkdale School and is updated annually. See the review

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 7
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 11 8
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 61 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 12 7
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 8
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 69 7
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 33 8
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 17 6
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 28 7
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 30 7
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 69 7
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 69 7
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 9 7
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 42 8
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 14 7
Classical Civilisation GCSE (9-1) Full Course 20 6
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 61 7
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 61 8
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 8

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
32%
LA avg.
20%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
42.57
LA avg.
33.87
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCE A level 7 A
Psychology GCE A level 35 B
Physics GCE A level 23 A
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 7 A
Mathematics GCE A level 36 A
History GCE A level 6 A
Geography GCE A level 21 A
English Literature GCE A level 12 A
English Language GCE A level 12 B
Economics GCE A level 23 A
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 6 A
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 13 B
Chemistry GCE A level 35 B
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 24 B
Biology GCE A level 35 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 12 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

SEN overview

Birkdale School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Meeting the learning needs of pupils with SEN is the responsibility of all teachers at Birkdale School and is achieved in the first instance through Quality First teaching. Some of our pupils may require additional support. The learning support department offers a range of small group and 1:1 interventions. The programme offered reflects the needs of our pupils and currently includes support in spelling, reading, handwriting, processing speed, working memory, study skills and revision. Coaching is also offered. Interventions typically run for no longer than a term, when progress is reviewed and next steps identified. Provision for our pupils is based on the 'graduated approach', as advocated in the SEN Code of Practice. It is important that pupils and their parents have a say in the support we give. To facilitate this, there are regular opportunities to meet and the department has an open door policy.

Updated Sep 2017
0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2%
17 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired Yes
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