Mercia School offers more than first class teaching and learning; we strive to offer an enriching experience for everyone.
Every single pupil enjoys a wide variety of activities and are encouraged to participate fully in all facets of Mercia School life.
We are totally committed to delivering a first-class experience to every single pupil, regardless of their background or additional needs.
We treat every learner as an individual. We know that all pupils have a range of different needs and face different challenges, but we believe all pupils are able to reach the very highest levels of academic study.
Whilst we are an academic school, we are non-selective and welcome all pupils from our south-west Sheffield catchment. Whatever a pupil’s ability, SEND need, language need or postcode may be, we believe they can all achieve – and achieve well.
It is our aim to ensure that every pupil in the school can fulfil their potential. Every teacher uses traditional teaching methods in the classroom, they ensure that all pupils are highly challenged by academic work which motivates and inspires all pupils.
Our knowledge-rich core curriculum is carefully designed to ensure all pupils make superb progress in a broad suite of subjects. We will support all learners to thrive in this environment.
To support all pupils in their academic studies, we seek to show them the ‘long term’ picture. We hold the strong belief that the vast majority of pupils at Mercia School can go on to enjoy an enriching university experience. To this end, we are committed to ensuring pupils visit at least one university every academic year.
Our arts offer includes orchestra, choral singing, dance and dramatic performance. Our extended school day allows us to offer a wide variety of activities that suit a wide range of our pupils.
We have frequent school trips to theatres, museums and art galleries that help enrich and widen our pupils’ horizons. We take part in a range of activities in Sheffield with other local schools including debating competitions, dance, music, and singing events.
As a part of our arts enrichment curriculum, we offer:
We are proud to run a full-scale musical each year. Examples of shows we have put on include Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz.
Mercia School is keen to support and celebrate our elite performers. We have many pupils who wear their Elite badges with pride. We want to recognise the additional commitment they make outside of school and celebrate their success.
In most cases, the pupils spend their spare time training and preparing and sometimes catching up on schoolwork. These pupils are determined in their efforts and really exemplify all our values.
If your child is involved in Elite activities, please complete an Elite Performance form, so we can assign a badge and support events and preparation. Also, please email us achievements and success stories, so we can be supportive.
Throughout each academic year, we fundraise and regularly update parents and the community on our progress. We encourage our pupils to be charitable and work hard to be as giving as possible. We have been successful in this regard since we opened.
Some of our notable successes:
2018-19: £1600 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
2019-20: £1560 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
2020-21: £1350 for Save the Children
2021-22: £2900 for The Children’s Society and Save the Children
2022-23: £1423 for Disaster Emergency Committee (Pakistan Flooding)
2024-25: £1760 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and Save the Children
At Mercia School, we operate a house system to underpin our drive for competition and high standards. Pupils are sorted into their house during inauguration week, the very first week of term.
The house system is an excellent way to bolster our pastoral support. We absolutely ensure all pupils receive the pastoral care they need and deserve, as and when required. No child will be left to struggle, especially if they have any additional needs. All pupils are fully involved with activities led by the House System. The four houses are:
At Mercia School, we believe that all pupils can contribute to school and community life in a meaningful way. All teachers are steadfast in their efforts to develop good, just pupils who understand their civic duty. It is our ambition that after sixth form and university study, pupils will return to our community and contribute positively. For them to achieve this, they need to develop strong leadership capabilities.
The voice of our pupils is vital to the ongoing success of the school. There is a Pupil Council that leads our whole-school body in a wide range of areas. The councillors, two pupils from each year group, support with school events on a regular basis. In addition, the councillors meet every half-term for a working lunch and discuss a wide range of matters such as:
The above list is not exhaustive and any matter a councillor wishes to raise is listened to carefully and taken seriously.
To further pupil leadership capacity, the school appoints a group of prefects from Year 9-13. These pupils support school events such as showcases, sports day and being tour guides for visitors.
To further develop pupil leadership capabilities, it is essential to introduce them to our societal leaders on a regular basis. We look forward to welcoming leaders from all sectors as the school continues to grow and society reopens.
Each year, a Head Boy and Head Girl is appointed after a rigorous recruitment process. Two deputies are also appointed. These exceptional pupils support the school’s leadership team and act as representatives for the pupil body.