Woodlands Primary School, Sheffield

Ofsted's report card from its 22 September 2026 inspection grades Woodlands Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard, 3 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "Children make a confident start to school in the nurturing, welcoming and well-organised environment."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is at the heart of Woodlands Primary School."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a comprehensive and well-sequenced curriculum."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders at all levels have a deep understanding of, and care for, the community they serve."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders' priority is to create a safe space in the community."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Achievement in school is variable."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders' work to improve attendance has not had sufficient impact."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should maintain a sharp focus on improving attendance and reducing persistent absence, especially for disadvantaged pupils"; "Leaders should ensure precision in curriculum planning and implementation to secure rapid progress in writing so that outcomes improve towards national averages"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils benefit from first-hand experiences of different cultures and lifestyles to gain a deeper understanding of the diversity of life in modern Britain".

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Woodlands Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 69% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 72% in Sheffield and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 58% in reading and 58% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 48 families put Woodlands Primary School as their first choice and 79 named it as one of their preferences, for 53 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Woodlands Primary School are Charnock Hall Primary Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 76% reading, 76% maths); Bankwood Primary School (0.9 miles, 59% reading, 59% maths); Norton Free Church of England Primary School (1 mile, Good, 91% reading, 97% maths); and Gleadless Primary School (1 mile, 62% reading, 60% maths).

Woodlands Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Woodlands Primary School is one of 8 schools run by Mercia Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 70% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

58.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 126 pupils (27.1%) received SEN support and 43 (9.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

Woodlands Primary School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs.

Woodlands Primary School had 29 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Herdings Park Platform, about 170 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Norton Avenue/Bowman Drive (adjacent), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Woodlands Primary School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Woodlands Primary School issued 39 suspensions, 8.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The secondary schools closest to Woodlands Primary School are Sheffield Springs Academy (1.1 miles), Newfield Secondary School (1.1 miles), The Birley Academy (1.4 miles) and Meadowhead School Academy Trust (1.8 miles).