Grace Owen Nursery School
N/A
Capacity
87
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Grace Owen Nursery School
Grace Owen Nursery School is one of only two state nursery schools in Sheffield, and it sits in a local authority where just one nursery — Broomhall Nursery School, two kilometres away — holds an Outstanding rating. Grace Owen itself was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a grade it has maintained consistently across both its 2014 and 2023 inspections. Headteacher Nancy Farrow leads a small, mixed-gender setting for children aged two to five, with 87 pupils on roll. The school serves a community where 21.2% of children are eligible for free school meals, a figure that gives a sense of the local demographic. For parents exploring early years options in Sheffield, Grace Owen represents one of the two state nursery choices available, with Broomhall as the only Outstanding-rated alternative nearby.
Academically, Ofsted’s 2023 graded inspection awarded Grace Owen Good across every category: quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all scored a 2. The previous inspection in 2014 had also rated overall effectiveness as Good, with early years provision and leadership both at 2. There are no Key Stage 2 SATs or Progress 8 scores to report, as the school only covers nursery-age children. The inspection report noted that the school’s early years provision was not separately graded in 2023, but the overall Good rating reflects solid foundations for children’s learning and development. Without local authority averages for nursery-level outcomes, parents will need to rely on the Ofsted judgement and the school’s consistent track record of Good ratings over nearly a decade.
The school offers a range of facilities including art studios, a gymnasium, music rooms, a dining hall, a forest school, and a chapel. Sports provision is limited to gymnastics, but clubs include a book club and an art club. For children with additional needs, Grace Owen has SEND provisions covering speech, language and communication, hearing impairment, visual impairment, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties or disabilities. As a state nursery, it does not charge fees and is not a boarding school. Given its small size and Good rating, this school will suit families in Sheffield looking for a well-regarded local authority nursery with strong SEND support and a forest school programme, particularly those who value a setting with consistent inspection outcomes and a clear focus on early years development.
Key Details
| School Type | Nursery (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 5 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | 1-7 the Pavement, Park Hill, Sheffield, Sheffield, S2 5QD |
| Headteacher | Nancy Farrow |
| Local Authority | Sheffield |
| Number of Pupils | 87 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.2% |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 18 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
3Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- White British40.2%
- Mixed21.7%
- Asian12.6%
- White (other)4.6%
- Black2.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
11
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grace Owen Nursery School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for
Contact Information
1-7 the Pavement, Park Hill, Sheffield
Sheffield, S2 5QD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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