Schools across Barnsley

Local authority · 98 schools across 5 towns

Total Schools

98

78 primary · 10 secondary

Total Pupils

35,125

97% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

35

4 outstanding · 31 good

Capacity

36,360

1,235 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

31
60
Outstanding: 4
Good: 31
Requires Improvement: 2
Inadequate: 1
Not inspected: 60

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

75.9%

KS2 Maths

76.9%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

97% full
20,428 pupils20,956 capacity

528 spare places

Secondary Schools

96% full
12,814 pupils13,377 capacity

563 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.0%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

14.4%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

86

2024/25

Absence trend across Barnsley schools

4.8%
18/19
4%
20/21
7.2%
21/22
6.7%
22/23
6.5%
23/24
6%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

97%

Plans Issued

363

Assessment Requests

718

Tribunal Cases

1

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

73%
2019
75%
2020
83%
2021
73%
2022
93%
2023
97%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

3,006 admissions

52

Lodged

(1.7%)

35

Heard

7

Successful

(20%)

Primary (infant classes)

2,784 admissions

38

Lodged

(1.4%)

26

Heard

4

Successful

(15%)

Secondary

2,848 admissions

139

Lodged

(4.9%)

121

Heard

52

Successful

(43%)

Total

5,854 admissions

191

Lodged

(3.3%)

156

Heard

59

Successful

(38%)

Total appeals lodged per year

637
2019
487
2020
240
2021
423
2022
232
2023
440
2024
420
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.