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Local authority · Yorkshire and the Humber

Schools in Barnsley

  • 92State-funded schools
  • 77Primary
  • 11Secondary
  • 3Special
  • Yorkshire and the HumberRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
91%
7 pts above England (84%)
2,653 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
96%
3 pts above England (92%)
2,423 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
1.6
0.6 below England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
7of 92 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Barnsley
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
91%got their first choice
7 pts above England (84%)

2,653 applicants · 1.8% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 91%; England 84%
  2. 2025 89%; England 84%
  3. 2024 87%; England 83%
  4. 2023 90%; England 83%
  5. 2022 94%; England 83%
  6. 2021 97%; England 81%
  7. 2020 94%; England 82%
  8. 2019 94%; England 81%
  9. 2018 96%; England 82%
  10. 2017 95%; England 83%
  11. 2016 95%; England 84%
  12. 2015 90%; England 84%
  13. 2014 93%; England 85%
  • Barnsley
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,65391.0%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20252,60388.7%98.3%1.7%
Sep 20242,68587.1%95.5%4.5%
Sep 20232,78989.6%96.6%3.4%
Sep 20222,79293.7%97.1%2.9%
Sep 20212,64397.0%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20202,54193.5%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20192,53894.5%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20182,49495.7%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20172,42095.2%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20162,30895.1%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20152,17890.4%97.5%2.5%
Sep 20142,20092.9%98.7%1.3%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
96%got their first choice
3 pts above England (92%)

2,423 applicants · 0.8% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 96%; England 92%
  2. 2025 96%; England 93%
  3. 2024 94%; England 93%
  4. 2023 94%; England 92%
  5. 2022 94%; England 92%
  6. 2021 94%; England 92%
  7. 2020 94%; England 90%
  8. 2019 90%; England 91%
  9. 2018 93%; England 91%
  10. 2017 93%; England 90%
  11. 2016 90%; England 88%
  12. 2015 91%; England 88%
  13. 2014 90%; England 88%
  • Barnsley
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,42395.7%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20252,44096.3%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20242,57793.6%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20232,55493.8%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20222,56694.3%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20212,55393.7%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20202,64194.0%98.5%1.5%
Sep 20192,54290.5%97.4%2.6%
Sep 20182,58693.0%97.9%2.1%
Sep 20172,73793.2%97.7%2.3%
Sep 20162,79089.6%96.5%3.5%
Sep 20152,76690.6%96.3%3.7%
Sep 20142,61589.6%96.6%3.4%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 7 schools of 92 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years
  • Leadership and governance

One dot per school.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 76 schools · graded 2012 to 2024

  • Outstanding6
  • Good67
  • Requires improvement2
  • Inadequate1

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 8 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education–611
Behaviour and attitudes152–
Personal development251–
Leadership and management1511

Not yet inspected (new or reorganised schools): 1.

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Barnsley

Secondary schools in Barnsley

11 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
Trinity Academy St. Edwards Faith Outstanding2024 3.6 applications per place 53.4 26%
Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.8 applications per place 37.2 32%
Horizon Community College Remains Good · improving2023 2.0 applications per place 49.0 30%
Barnsley Academy Faith Standards maintained2025 2.0 applications per place 41.6 49%
Outwood Academy Carlton Standards maintained2024 1.9 applications per place 42.0 38%
Darton Academy Good2023 1.6 applications per place 50.7 22%
Kirk Balk Academy Standards maintained2025 1.6 applications per place 46.4 30%
Penistone Grammar School Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place 51.4 15%
Outwood Academy Shafton Graded · no overall grade2025 1.4 applications per place 43.3 38%
Netherwood Academy Good2024 1.3 applications per place 41.0 38%
Astrea Academy Dearne Good2023 1.1 applications per place 39.3 46%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Barnsley

77 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Gawber Primary School Outstanding2024 4.0 applications per place 80% 6%
Dodworth St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy Faith Requires improvement2023 3.4small intake applications per place 59% 23%
Cawthorne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Faith Good2024 3.2 applications per place 83% 1%
Springvale Primary School Remains Good2023 3.0 applications per place 80% 12%
Lacewood Primary School Good2023 2.9 applications per place 67% 33%
Summer Lane Primary Special measures Graded · no overall grade2025 2.8 applications per place – 18%
Oxspring Primary School Remains Good2024 2.8 applications per place 78% 10%
Silkstone Common Junior and Infant School Good2022 2.8 applications per place 84% 7%
Elsecar Holy Trinity CofE Primary Academy Faith Remains Good2024 2.7 applications per place 68% 23%
Cherry Dale Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.6 applications per place 63% 35%
Parkside Primary Academy Remains Good2024 2.6 applications per place 72% 28%
Mapplewell Primary School Good2024 2.6 applications per place 76% 13%
Highgate Primary Academy Remains Good2022 2.6 applications per place 75% 45%
Hoylandswaine Primary School Special measures Inadequate2022 2.5small intake applications per place 85% 9%
Wombwell Park Street Primary School Remains Good2023 2.4 applications per place 57% 24%
Hoyland Common Primary School Good2022 2.4 applications per place 66% 17%
Shawlands Primary School Remains Good2024 2.4 applications per place 64% 21%
Churchfield Primary School Good2024 2.4 applications per place 80% 30%
Heather Garth Primary School Academy 2026 2.3 applications per place 63% 37%
Summerfields Primary Academy Good2023 2.3 applications per place 88% 15%
Darton Primary School Remains Good2022 2.3 applications per place 58% 18%
Lift St Helen's Good2024 2.3 applications per place 62% 35%
Hoyland Springwood Primary School Remains Good2023 2.2small intake applications per place 48% 52%
Birdwell Primary School 2026 2.2 applications per place 85% 21%
Millhouse Primary School Good2023 2.2 applications per place 73% 17%
Outwood Primary Academy Darfield Good2024 2.2 applications per place 76% 33%
Barugh Green Primary School Good2024 2.2 applications per place 67% 11%
Oakwell Rise Primary Academy 2026 2.2 applications per place 81% 43%
Athersley South Primary School Standards maintained2024 2.2 applications per place 66% 40%
Silkstone Primary School Good2023 2.1 applications per place 83% 7%
Lift Shafton Improved significantly2024 2.1 applications per place 59% 26%
Kings Oak Primary Standards maintained2025 2.1 applications per place – 33%
Greenfield Primary School Remains Good2023 2.1 applications per place – 33%
West Meadows Primary School 2026 2.1 applications per place 55% 41%
Carrfield Primary Academy Remains Good2023 2.1 applications per place 63% 37%
Thurgoland Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School Faith Good2022 2.0 applications per place 87% 8%
Wellgate Primary School Improved significantly2025 2.0 applications per place 72% 24%
Laithes Primary School 2026 2.0 applications per place 68% 49%
Carlton Primary Academy Good2023 1.9 applications per place 64% 19%
Lift Meadstead Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 68% 44%
Tankersley St Peter's CofE (Aided) Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.9 applications per place 81% 10%
Bank End Primary Academy 2026 1.9 applications per place 92% 47%
Birkwood Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 61% 33%
Thurlstone Primary School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 37% 8%
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Faith Some aspects not as strong2025 1.9 applications per place 35% 27%
Ward Green Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 63% 29%
High View Primary Learning Centre Good2024 1.8 applications per place 64% 37%
Keresforth Primary School Good2022 1.8 applications per place 73% 16%
Ladywood Primary School Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 52% 34%
Hunningley Primary Academy Outstanding2023 1.8 applications per place 87% 37%
Joseph Locke Primary School Remains Good2024 1.8 applications per place 75% 32%
Kexborough Primary School Standards maintained2025 1.8 applications per place 57% 25%
All Saints Academy Darfield Faith Requires improvement2024 1.8 applications per place 57% 40%
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Barnsley Faith Good2024 1.8 applications per place 51% 9%
Worsbrough Common Primary School Good2024 1.8 applications per place 66% 32%
The Forest Academy Outstanding2023 1.7 applications per place 70% 42%
Upperwood Academy Standards maintained2025 1.7 applications per place 66% 29%
Queens Road Academy Remains Good2022 1.7 applications per place 54% 28%
Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Faith Good2024 1.7 applications per place 86% 21%
Burton Road Primary School Remains Good2023 1.7 applications per place 76% 17%
St Helen's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.7small intake applications per place 0% 41%
Holy Rood Catholic Primary School Faith Standards maintained2024 1.7 applications per place 53% 23%
Wilthorpe Primary School Good2024 1.7 applications per place 71% 19%
Goldthorpe Primary Academy Good2023 1.7 applications per place 68% 49%
Oakhill Primary Academy Standards maintained2024 1.7 applications per place 69% 24%
Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Good2024 1.6 applications per place 74% 14%
Athersley North Primary School 2026 1.6 applications per place 49% 56%
Royston St John Baptist CE Primary Faith Good2022 1.6 applications per place 55% 28%
Gooseacre Primary Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6 applications per place 69% 42%
The Mill Academy Remains Good2022 1.6 applications per place 63% 42%
The Hill Primary Academy Good2023 1.5 applications per place 64% 56%
Milefield Primary School Good2024 1.4 applications per place 67% 38%
The Ellis Church of England Primary School Faith Good2022 1.4 applications per place – 10%
St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 1.4 applications per place 50% 29%
Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange Remains Good2024 1.3 applications per place 66% 42%
Sandhill Primary School Good2024 1.2 applications per place 62% 44%
Jump Primary Academy Good2024 no data – –

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

Special schools and other provision

4 schools