The hardest schools to get into in Barnsley
Secondary: 253 families put Trinity Academy St. Edwards first in 2026 and 172 of them (68%) were offered a place.
Reception: 60 families put Gawber Primary School first in 2026 and 29 of them (48%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Barnsley with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity Academy St. Edwards · Barnsley · faith | 253 | 172 (68%) | 174 |
| 2 | Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School · Barnsley · faith | 89 | 80 (90%) | 84 |
| 3 | Outwood Academy Shafton · Barnsley | 281 | 258 (92%) | 261 |
| 4 | Kirk Balk Academy · Barnsley | 237 | 233 (98%) | 254 |
| 5 | Penistone Grammar School · Sheffield | 311 | 307 (99%) | 309 |
| 6 | Outwood Academy Carlton · Barnsley | 200 | 198 (99%) | 209 |
| 7 | Horizon Community College · Barnsley | 341 | 338 (99%) | 379 |
| 8 | Netherwood Academy · Barnsley | 228 | 228 (100%) | 271 |
| 9 | Darton Academy · Barnsley | 217 | 217 (100%) | 230 |
| 10 | Astrea Academy Dearne · Rotherham | 164 | 164 (100%) | 213 |
| 11 | Barnsley Academy · Barnsley · faith | 138 | 138 (100%) | 168 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Barnsley
What is the hardest school to get into in Barnsley?
For secondary places, 253 families put Trinity Academy St. Edwards first in 2026 and 172 of them (68%) were offered a place. For Reception, 60 families put Gawber Primary School first and 29 of them (48%) were offered a place.
How many families in Barnsley get their first-choice school?
91.0% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 95.7% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Barnsley published it in its admissions booklet.