Secondary schools expand as pupil numbers rise

Three secondary schools in Sheffield are expanding to cope with an expected influx of pupils over the coming years.

Sheffield City Council forecasts show a shortage of secondary school places - particularly for Year 7 pupils entering secondary education up to 2029.

Local authorities are legally bound to ensure there are sufficient school places available, with Forge Valley, Ecclesfield School and Meadowhead School set to grow.

"The council must act now to ensure sufficient school places are available before the forecast increases in pupil numbers materialises," council officers say.

"Failure to provide the necessary accommodation in advance would place the council at risk of being unable to meet its legal duties."

A new three-storey extension will be built at Forge Valley School in Stannington through more than £4.5m of Department for Education funding.

"Forge Valley has already taken pupils above its admission number for several years, so the works required are for 150 places over the next five years," a council spokesperson said.

"The project must be progressed in time for the new facilities to be available for pupils from September 2027."

The extension will provide a new school hall for exams and other activities, a dedicated ICT teaching room and three new science labs.

Ecclesfield School is set to accommodate another 75 pupils over the next five years and will receive £155,000 for a feasibility study looking at an outdoor area for dining and a new classroom block.

Meadowhead School will temporarily increase with 90 pupils over the next three years.

The school will use £1m to convert a caretaker house into a two-storey alternative provision building, with the work due to be completed by September 2027.

The project will help the school support alternative provision alongside the planned increase in pupil numbers.

The council adds: "Rising levels of school exclusions are placing unsustainable pressure on the Sheffield Inclusion Centre.

"As part of a wider strategic shift in our approach to alternative provision, the council is seeking to strengthen in-school arrangements to support exclusion prevention and early intervention."

Rowan School, which provides specialist provision for primary-age children with autism and complex communication needs, will receive £329,000 for refurbishment works.

The money will create a flexible library and immersive room, a small one-to-one room and larger food tech room. The work should be completed by autumn 2026.

The authority's finance committee will discuss the plans at a meeting on Monday.

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