Sheffield Girls’ crowned Independent ‘Secondary School of the Year in the North’

Sheffield Girls’ GDST, named Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North by The Sunday Times, Parent Power 2023

After celebrating prodigious GCSE and A Level results this summer, despite an incredibly challenging couple of years, we are in high spirits again after being named as the top independent school in the North of England by the Sunday Times.

In their annual ‘Parent Power’ School Guide, which combines and reviews the results of both private and state schools across the UK, Sheffield Girls’ has come out on top after consideration of not only our GCSE and A Level grades but also the School’s holistic approach to extra-curricular provision, pastoral support and character education.

This summer we announced record breaking results with 80% A Level grades awarded at A* or A and 81% GCSE results at 7-9.

Head Nina Gunson has been reflecting on yesterday’s outstanding ranking: “We are just thrilled to be recognised as the Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North. The girls’ exam results this summer were such a wonderful reward for the positivity, hard work and innovation demonstrated by students and staff alike over the last couple of extremely challenging years, and to receive this accolade is simply the icing on the cake. Every single day I am impressed by the achievements of our students and proud of the values they demonstrate. I hope that every member of our School community can share my pride in this award which belongs to us all.”

Cheryl Giovannoni, Chief Executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust, said: “What a stunning achievement for all our students and teachers at Sheffield High School for Girls. It’s a fantastic accolade and testament to the commitment and hard work of the whole school staff. Students at Sheffield Girls’ continue to demonstrate exceptional courage, resilience and dedication which goes above and beyond academic achievement and places this school at the very top of its class.

“This award for ‘Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North 2023’ underlines the real difference Sheffield Girls’, as one of our family of GDST schools, makes to girls' education across the country. By providing learning environments specifically designed for and dedicated to girls’ learning needs and preferences, our schools seek to challenge all traditional stereotypes and give girls space to develop a strong sense of themselves and their value.”