Latest Notices

FAQs for Parents

These are just some of the questions you may have if you are considering Sheffield High School for your daughter. If you have questions not shown below, please give us a ring on (0114) 266 0324 – we’ll be happy to help.

• Will my daughter be offered a place?
  We currently have a limited number of places available in most year groups. Please ask for our Admissions Secretary, Louise Froggatt, on (0114) 266 0324 to enquire about availability

• Will she have to take an entrance test?
  For entry into Reception, girls are asked to come into School with one of their parents and meet the Head of the Infant and Junior School. We then carry out a very informal assessment which checks that we feel that she is ready for school. Alternatively, one of our staff can visit your daughter at her Nursery and carry out the assessment there. For entry into other year groups in the Infant and Junior School, girls are assessed in Reading and Maths; the aim of this assessment is to find out what your daughter can do and takes place in an informal one-to-one situation. All girls from Year 6 upwards are asked to sit an entrance test before being offered a place. This is so that we can be sure that your daughter will be able to cope with our curriculum and that we will be able to help her to achieve her potential

• When can she take the test?
  The entrance test can be taken any day of the week at a time which is most convenient to you and your daughter. We can usually let you know how your daughter has done within a day or two

• What does the entrance test involve?
  For the Infant and Junior School, see above. For girls wanting to join Year 7, the test is similar to the KS2 SATs tests in Maths and English. It covers work your daughter is familiar with from her Junior School. For girls joining Year 8 and above, the test is a Cognitive Ability Test which is a multiple-choice test and which does not require any prior preparation. We also ask your daughter’s current Headteacher to provide a reference for us so that we can compare how she has done in the entrance test with how she has been working at school

• How big are the classes?
  In the Infants’ section, our class sizes are very small, with an average of 16 girls or fewer. In the Juniors’ section, class sizes average 22 girls and, in the Senior School, average teaching groups are approximately 22 in Years 7 to 9, 18 in Years 10 and 11 and 8 in the Sixth Form. In the Infant and Junior School we have two forms in each year group and in the Senior School we have four forms in Years 7 and 8, five in Years 9, 10 and 11 and six tutor groups in each of years 12 and 13

• When could my daughter start?
  If places are available in her year group, she could start immediately or, if you prefer, she could start at the beginning of a term

• How much are the fees?
  In the Infant and Junior School, fees are £2226 per term. Infant and Junior fees include most extra-curricular activities and all sport which is run by SHS staff. Lunches are extra and there is also an additional charge if your daughter wishes to stay until 5.45pm for Teatime Club. In the Senior School and Sixth Form, termly fees are £3070. The Senior School fees include examination fees, all sports, extra-curricular clubs and after school care. Senior girls may buy a school lunch or bring their own packed lunch. Girls in Year 7 are required to have a School lunch

• My daughter currently has a bursary/scholarship. Can this be transferred?
  Almost 20% of our senior girls receive some financial assistance, so you may be eligible for a bursary if you are considering the Senior School for your daughter. If you wish to apply for a bursary, we would need to conduct a bursary assessment and, if you are assessed as eligible, it’s likely that we would be able to offer you financial assistance

• How much homework is my daughter likely to get?
  In the Infant and Junior School, girls have a small amount of reading or maths homework on 2 or 3 nights per week. Between Years 3 and 6, girls have up to 40 minutes homework on 4 nights of the week. This includes, English, Maths, Science and Humanities. Regular reading at home is encouraged. In the Senior School, most girls get up to one and a half hours of homework per night. There is some flexibility and most homework is not required to be completed for the following day

• What extra-curricular activities could my daughter do?
  Almost anything you could imagine! As all our sports facilities are on site (Sports Hall, Astroturf, gym, dance studio, netball and tennis courts) she can take part in hockey, netball, dance, gymnastics, trampolining and badminton in the winter and tennis, rounders and athletics in the summer. If your daughter is a keen musician, she can join one of our 3 choirs, play in our orchestra, string groups or bands and can have individual music or singing lessons. If she enjoys drama, we have drama clubs for all ages and a Musical Theatre club. She can also enjoy Art Club, Science Club, Psychology, Philosophy, Debating, Chick-Knit and many other clubs and activities

• What time does School start and finish?
  The school day runs from 8.30am to 3.30pm but she can be on site any day from 7.45am till 5.30pm (or 5.45pm if she is in the Teatime Club in the Infant and Junior School). In the Infant and Junior School, she can join Breakfast Club before school and Teatime Club after school (for a small charge) and, in the Senior School, she can remain on site with after school care for no additional charge

• Is there school transport?
  Yes, from many areas in West and South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. For more information, please click here.

• How will I know if the School is right for my daughter?
  First of all, come and have a look round to get a feel of the School and to see the School in action. You’ll be able to meet some of our girls and teachers. It’s then a good idea for your daughter to come and spend a taster day or two with us, so that she can get to know the other girls and experience what Sheffield High School is really like

• When do I have to make up my mind?
  We will never put any pressure on you make up your mind. Choosing the right school for your daughter is a very important decision. Once the place has been offered, we will give you several weeks to make your decision

To find out more or if you have further questions, please e-mail the headmistress Mrs Dunsford, or phone either her or our Admissions Secretary Louise Froggatt on (0114) 266 0324.

Visits can be arranged any day of the week at a time convenient for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you.