Athersley South Primary School, Barnsley

In 2025, 68% of Year 6 pupils at Athersley South Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 78% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 79% in Barnsley and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 83% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 37 families put Athersley South Primary School as their first choice and 80 named it as one of their preferences, for 37 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Athersley South Primary School are Laithes Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 74% reading, 76% maths); Athersley North Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 54% reading, 59% maths); Wilthorpe Primary School (1.1 miles, 75% reading, 75% maths); and Burton Road Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 79% reading, 86% maths).

Athersley South Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Athersley South Primary School is one of 11 schools run by Every Child Matters Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 63% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

14 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Athersley South Primary School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 93% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (93%).

40.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 3.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 74 pupils (24.2%) received SEN support and 11 (3.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Athersley South Primary School had 18 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Barnsley Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wakefield Road/Regent Crescent (adjacent), 200 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Athersley South Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 186 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Barnsley (121), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Athersley South Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Athersley South Primary School are Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School (0.7 miles) and Outwood Academy Carlton (1.3 miles).