Barnsley Academy

School overview

Barnsley Academy is a secondary school serving Barnsley, classified by the DfE as a sponsor-led academy with a Christian religious character. It has 915 pupils aged 11 to 16 on roll. At its most recent graded inspection, Ofsted rated Barnsley Academy 'Good'. The school's average Attainment 8 score in the latest GCSE results was 45.1 — broadly in line with the national average (national average: 46). Its Attainment 8 score has risen by 2.1 points year on year. On our composite score, which combines the DfE attainment measures above, this places it around the middle of secondary schools nationally.

44% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and maths, in line with the national average of about 45%. 62% achieved a standard pass (grade 4+) in English and maths. Getting a place is straightforward: for the September 2026 intake every family who made Barnsley Academy their first choice was offered one of its 168 Year 7 places. After Year 11, 91% of its leavers went on to education, an apprenticeship or work that they stayed in for at least two terms. Overall pupil absence was 10.5%. There are about 19.8 pupils per teacher. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage: about 48% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals in the last six years, compared with roughly 24% nationally — useful context when reading the results above. When comparing schools, it is still worth visiting in person to see whether the atmosphere and approach suit your child. This overview is generated automatically from the latest published DfE performance tables and Ofsted data; figures are rounded, and you can check the originals via the official links above.