Schools in Barnsley
89 schools in 4 towns: how they were inspected, the best by phase, where places ran out, and the dates to apply.
Barnsley at a glance
- Schools
- 89 77 state primary, 11 state secondary, 1 sixth-form or college and 0 private. DfE Get Information about Schools, 17 October 2026.
- Good or Outstanding
- 93% 69 of the 74 state schools whose latest Ofsted inspection gave a grade. 6 more have the new report card, which gives no single grade. Ofsted, latest inspections.
- Oversubscribed in 2026
- 18 Of 87 state schools with DfE figures for 2026: more first preferences than places at entry (Reception or Year 7). DfE, school applications and offers, 2026.
- Offer distances held
- 28% How far the last place reached on offer day: held for 25 of 88 state schools that take an intake. Barnsley's published offer-day figures.
The best schools in Barnsley
Primary
| Place in Barnsley | School | Town | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bank End Primary Academy | Barnsley | 1st (1/77) |
| 2 | Summerfields Primary Academy | Barnsley | Top 3% (2/77) |
| 3 | Thurgoland Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School | Sheffield | Top 4% (3/77) |
| 4 | Hunningley Primary Academy | Barnsley | Top 6% (4/77) |
| 5 | Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | Barnsley | Top 7% (5/77) |
| 6 | Hoylandswaine Primary School | Sheffield | Top 8% (6/77) |
| 7 | Birdwell Primary School | Barnsley | Top 10% (7/77) |
| 8 | Silkstone Common Junior and Infant School | Barnsley | Top 11% (8/77) |
| 9 | Cawthorne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | Barnsley | Top 12% (9/77) |
| 10 | Silkstone Primary School | Barnsley | Top 13% (10/77) |
Ranked on 2025 KS2 results: the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The same rank as the full Barnsley primary table (method). Source: DfE, key stage 2 school performance tables; table built 16 October 2026.
Secondary (GCSE)
| Place in Barnsley | School | Town | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity Academy St. Edwards | Barnsley | 1st (1/11) |
| 2 | Penistone Grammar School | Sheffield | Top 19% (2/11) |
| 3 | Darton Academy | Barnsley | Top 28% (3/11) |
| 4 | Horizon Community College | Barnsley | Top 37% (4/11) |
| 5 | Kirk Balk Academy | Barnsley | Top 46% (5/11) |
| 6 | Outwood Academy Shafton | Barnsley | (6/11) |
| 7 | Outwood Academy Carlton | Barnsley | (7/11) |
| 8 | Barnsley Academy | Barnsley | (8/11) |
| 9 | Netherwood Academy | Barnsley | (9/11) |
| 10 | Astrea Academy Dearne | Rotherham | (10/11) |
Ranked on 2026 GCSE results: Attainment 8, the average grade across eight GCSEs. The same rank as the full Barnsley secondary table (method). Source: DfE, key stage 4 school performance tables; table built 16 October 2026.
Towns
- Barnsley 72 schools · best schools
- Barnsley South 1 school · best schools
- Rotherham 9 schools
- Sheffield 7 schools · best schools
Getting in
Starting Reception in September 2027
| Date | What | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2026 | Reception applications open | The council's application form opens. Look at your schools' admission rules and open days now. | Barnsley council |
| 15 January 2027 | Primary applications close | Apply to your home council (where you live), listing your schools in order of preference. A late application is looked at after every on-time one. | Barnsley council |
| 16 April 2027 | Primary offer day | Offers arrive by email from your home council. Check which school you were offered. | Barnsley council |
Starting secondary school (Year 7) in September 2027
| Date | What | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 October 2026 | Secondary applications close | Apply to your home council (where you live), listing your schools in order of preference. A late application is looked at after every on-time one. | Barnsley council |
| 1 March 2027 | Secondary offer day | Offers arrive by email from your home council. Check which school you were offered. | Barnsley council |
Every Barnsley admission date · After offer day in Barnsley: replies, waiting lists and appeals
We hold no catchment maps for Barnsley. Many schools here admit by distance; the catchment finder says which maps cover a postcode.
Offer-day distances (how far the last place reached) are held for 25 of 88 state schools (28%). Could we get in? sets your distance beside them.
Private schools, fees and childcare
Private school fees in Barnsley: we hold checked fees for 0 of 0 private schools.
Childcare costs, town by town: 65 nurseries and pre-schools in Barnsley, with fees held for 5. Nurseries in Barnsley by Ofsted rating.
Every school in Barnsley
Your children and your home, with the schools, the distances and the dates that are yours.Open your plan
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources are named beside each figure. How we know · All sources.