Kingfisher Academy, Sheffield
Kingfisher Academy is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 18 in Sheffield, part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, ended in a report card: 7 strong standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in March 2022.
- Ofsted report card
- 7 of 7 areas strong or better
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Kingfisher Academy in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 16 June 2026 inspection grades Kingfisher Academy on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Strong standard. "Many pupils who attend this school have missed parts of their education."
Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have clear systems to promote attendance."
Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear oversight of the school's curriculum and how pupils are taught."
Inclusion - Strong standard. "Staff enjoy getting to know the pupils well."
Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, trustees, and governors share a common and ambitious vision for the school."
Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Kingfisher's personal development and wellbeing programme supports pupils effectively."
Post-16 provision - Strong standard. "The school provides an effective and highly inclusive post-16 offer."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure that the school's planned expansion is managed effectively. This will allow the existing high standards of provision, teaching and culture to be further developed and the strength of the school's learning and pastoral offer to continue. This will support pupils to continue to achieve well and develop their confidence, resilience and self-belief".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Kingfisher Academy are Landmarks (2.3 miles, Good); River Valley (2.9 miles); Archdale School (3.5 miles, Good); and Newman School (4.4 miles).
The trust
Kingfisher Academy is one of 23 schools run by Nexus Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.
Where pupils go next
Of the 6 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 33% to a further education college.
Who goes there
18.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 18.8% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 6 pupils (37.5%) received SEN support and 10 (62.5%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Beighton-Drake House Lane to Halfway, about 420 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lilac Road/Daisy Walk (near), 220 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
Kingfisher Academy recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- InclusionStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Post-16 provisionStrong standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Kingfisher Academy
Pupils receive high standards of learning and care whether it is from the hospital bed or in the classroom special school which effectively fosters a close-knit community of growth, progress, and learning. Care and compassion can be found around every corner of this school. Staff at different sites are deeply committed to helping pupils achieve in all aspects of their lives. Pupils needs are responded to quickly and effectively on each of the school's sites. At the children's hospital, staff provide third-day education while children are in hospital. Pupils feel safe, calm and secure as they are supported to return to learning after periods of absence from education. Pupils and staff work together in harmony. Pupils are able to access enjoyable lessons that meet their needs. Pupils appreciate the support and the enrichment opportunities available to them through school. Trips to London, the local farm, and the theatre support learning and widen pupil's experiences. Pupils are supported to feel confident to try out new hobbies and experiences. High expectations of behaviour and respect for all contribute to a calm atmosphere in school. Staff support is always readily available. Pupils feel they have a voice and know who to speak to if they have worries. If any poor behaviour or bullying, happens, adults quickly take action and manage this carefully. Pupil attendance at the school shows significant improvement over time. Staff focus on the barriers to attendance that some pupils face. Adults work closely with parents and/or carers and their children to successfully resolve these. Pupils are supported to access school and learning effectively despite their different needs. There are a number of students who are part of the post-16 hub at a local school. Staff ensure that these older students receive the same help as those on the main site. The school catches the pupils wherever they are. It provides the care they need, offering an effective safety net which is appreciated by pupils and their families.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure that the school's planned expansion is managed effectively. This will allow the existing high standards of provision, teaching and culture to be further developed and the strength of the school's learning and pastoral offer to continue. This will support pupils to continue to achieve well and develop their confidence, resilience and self-belief.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 16 June 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its March 2022 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Personal development.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Leadership & management.
At a Glance
18.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Kingfisher Academy
Accreditation achieved
17 Sep 2026
Ofsted Visit Outcome - Strong in all areas
2 Sep 2026
A Change of Name
23 Jul 2025
From Kingfisher Academy's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Kingfisher Academy
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Kingfisher Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Kingfisher Academy is in Sheffield; for families living there:
- Sheffield's school travel policy: Home to School Travel and Transport Policy September 2023
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 10 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Sheffield is 17 (the median across 193 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
23%
Available places
16 pupils
70 places
54 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Sheffield
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Sheffield
Across Sheffield council
Places available
6,421
Applications
6,416
Got 1st preference
88.7%
Got preferred school
96.6%
All secondary applications across Sheffield council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
6
SEN Support
10
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
16
Total Pupils
7
Boys
9
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
30
Teachers
0.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£54,549
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
47.5%
Overall absence
27.2%
Persistent absence
475
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Kingfisher Academy
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Kingfisher Academy
What is Kingfisher Academy's Ofsted rating?
Kingfisher Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2022, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Kingfisher Academy?
No fixed boundary. When Kingfisher Academy is oversubscribed, Sheffield allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Kingfisher Academy?
Kingfisher Academy has around 16 pupils on roll. 19% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Kingfisher Academy?
47.5% of sessions were missed at Kingfisher Academy in 2024/25. 27.2% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Kingfisher Academy?
Apply through Sheffield's coordinated admissions process, naming Kingfisher Academy on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Kingfisher Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 10 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Sheffield is 17 (the median across 193 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Kingfisher Academy?
Kingfisher Academy is at Sevenairs Road, Beighton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S20 1NZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)