Kirk Balk Academy

Kirk Balk Academy at a glance

Located in Barnsley, Kirk Balk Academy is a secondary school, classified by the DfE as a sponsor-led academy. The school educates roughly 1,327 pupils aged 11 to 16. Ofsted judged the school to be 'Good' at its most recent inspection. The school's average Attainment 8 score in the latest GCSE results was 46.0 — broadly in line with the national average (national average: 46). Its Attainment 8 score has fallen by 0.8 points compared with the previous year. On our composite score, which combines the DfE attainment measures above, this places it around the middle of secondary schools nationally.

55% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and maths, above the national average of about 45%. 72% achieved a standard pass (grade 4+) in English and maths. 98% of the families who made Kirk Balk Academy their first choice were offered a Year 7 place for September 2026, even though the school made at least as many offers as it had first choices - the rest withdrew, moved or fell outside a priority group. In 2026 the furthest child offered a place lived 2.85 miles from the school in a straight line, according to the council's published allocation figures; the distance changes every year with demand. After Year 11, 95% of its leavers went on to education, an apprenticeship or work that they stayed in for at least two terms. Overall pupil absence was 10.0%. There are about 21.7 pupils per teacher. Given the recent dip in results, it may be worth asking the school what is behind the change and what is being done in response. 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.