Kingfisher Academy

Kingfisher Academy is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 18 with a wide range of acute and chronic medical and emotional needs. It operates across four sites, including Sheffield Children's Hospital and a post-16 hub, and is part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust. At its June 2026 full inspection, the school reached a strong standard in every evaluated area, and safeguarding standards were met. Leaders, trustees and governors share an ambitious vision and have created a calm, inclusive and highly supportive culture. Many pupils arrive having missed significant periods of education, but staff identify and close gaps in learning effectively. Achievement is strong across the curriculum, including for disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, pupils known to children's social care, and others facing barriers. Attendance and behaviour are also strong: pupils are highly respectful, bullying and poor behaviour are rare, and attendance has improved markedly over time despite historically high absence rates. Teaching is consistently well adapted, reading and phonics are central, and inclusion, personal development, pastoral support, careers education and post-16 provision are all notable strengths. The main next step is for leaders and governors to manage the school's planned expansion effectively so that existing high standards of provision, teaching and culture continue. No significant weaknesses or areas of underperformance were identified. Overall, this is a highly effective school that supports vulnerable pupils exceptionally well and prepares them successfully for their next steps.

Strengths

• Closes gaps in pupils' learning effectively.
• Pupils achieve highly across the curriculum.
• Disadvantaged pupils' achievement is a strength.
• Strong progress for pupils with SEND and other barriers.
• Clear systems promote strong attendance and improve habits.
• Pupils are highly respectful and self-disciplined.
• Bullying and poor behaviour are rare.
• Curriculum is carefully considered and prepares pupils well.
• Teachers adapt lessons to pupils' starting points.
• Reading and phonics are taught effectively.
• Inclusion work removes barriers to learning.
• Strong pastoral support and wellbeing provision.
• Wide-ranging enrichment and careers education.
• Effective leadership, governance and trust oversight.
• Positive staff morale and professional development.
• Highly inclusive post-16 provision with strong outcomes.
• Students are well prepared for university, apprenticeships or employment.
• Safeguarding standards are met.

Areas for Improvement

• Planned expansion needs effective management to sustain high standards.

In 2024–25 pupils at Kingfisher Academy attended 52.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2021–22, 0.0% of pupils at Kingfisher Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 4.4%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2021–22 Kingfisher Academy had 3.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.3). Of its teachers in 2021–22, 10.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 17.3%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2024–25 Kingfisher Academy received £29,336 and spent £27,765 for each of its 132 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £542,000 (£4,110 per pupil).

Across all 18 schools of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, income was £26,093 and spending £25,319 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Sheffield · Sheffield local authority: places and applications

Kingfisher Academy is part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, which runs 22 schools. The nearest others:

• Discovery Academy Sheffield
• Willow Park School Sheffield
• Seven Hills School Sheffield
• The Willows School Rotherham
• Kelford School Rotherham
• Kenwood Academy Sheffield
• Abbey School Rotherham
• Lotus Academy Sheffield
• Bents Green School Sheffield
• Hilltop School Rotherham

What is Kingfisher Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Kingfisher Academy is Strong standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was Kingfisher Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Kingfisher Academy was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Kingfisher Academy have?

Kingfisher Academy has 16 pupils on roll.

What age range does Kingfisher Academy cover?

Kingfisher Academy for pupils aged 5 to 18.

Where is Kingfisher Academy?

Kingfisher Academy is at Sevenairs Road, Beighton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S20 1NZ.