Sheffield High School GDST
School summary
One of Sheffield's longest-established girls' schools, founded in 1878 and part of the Girls' Day School Trust, this independent day school educates around 714 pupils from age 4 through to the sixth form. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded its highest grade of 'excellent' for both education quality and personal development, with all compliance requirements met. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 15 sits comfortably within the bounds of an independent school, and a sixth form of 150 gives older girls a substantial cohort. Means-tested bursaries are available from Year 7 for the top 30 percent of applicants, alongside a broad range of scholarships.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
80%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
66%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
88%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 3 December 2024
Teaching & academics
At A-level, results are strong: two-thirds of grades reach A*-A and 88 percent reach A*-B, with maths and the sciences sitting among the most popular choices. At GCSE, 80 percent of grades fall in the 9-7 range, suggesting able pupils who perform well at the top end. Mathematics, biology, chemistry, English literature, history and economics dominate sixth-form choices, and the school offers the EPQ alongside GCSEs and A-levels. Notably, just over a fifth of pupils receive SEN support, indicating a school that identifies and works with individual learning needs.
Popular GCSE subjects
Head · Mrs Alexandra Wilson
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 150
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport centres on netball, hockey, rounders and athletics. Scholarships in music, sport, art, drama and subject-specific areas point to a school that recognises talent beyond the classroom, and creative subjects such as art and design and music feature prominently at GCSE.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1878
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 21.18%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Mobile phone policy
For years 7-9, phones must be switched off (not just to silent) at all times from entering the school building until 3.30pm and stored in a safe place. For years 10-11, phones must be switched off between 8.30am and 3.30pm, except during morning break and lunch hour. For years 12-13, phones can be used in the sixth form centre but should be set to silent/vibrate mode; not permitted in other areas of school site.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £13,983 - £18,501
Means-tested from year 7 for top 30%
Schools nearby
Birkdale Prep School
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Westbourne School
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Birkdale School
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Brantwood Garden School
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Bethany School
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
The University of Sheffield International College
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A historic GDST girls' school with excellent inspection grades and impressive sixth-form results. The bursary and scholarship programme makes it worth a look for academically ambitious families who might assume the fees place it out of reach.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Sheffield High School GDST 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.