Bank End Primary Academy, Barnsley

Ofsted's report card from its 27 January 2026 inspection grades Bank End Primary Academy on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Over time, pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve consistently well."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear and detailed understanding of the factors that influence pupils' attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have a sophisticated and secure understanding of the school's curriculum and the strengths in teaching across subjects."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders set a clear and ambitious vision for early years."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) know that they belong at this school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Governors, trustees and leaders work effectively together so that decisions consistently prioritise pupils' learning and wellbeing."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's personal development programme is extensive."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should sustain the strong performance across all aspects of the school's work to ensure that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, continue to thrive".

In 2025, 92% of Year 6 pupils at Bank End Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 96% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 79% in Barnsley and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 70% in reading and 73% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Bank End Primary Academy as their first choice and 38 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Bank End Primary Academy are The Forest Academy (0.4 miles, Outstanding, 74% reading, 74% maths); The Mill Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 77% maths); Hunningley Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 89% reading, 89% maths); and Ward Green Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 68% reading, 72% maths).

Bank End Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Bank End Primary Academy is one of 98 schools run by United Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

68 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Bank End Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 53% would recommend the school, 52% say their child is happy there and 29% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (54%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (29%).

47.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 12.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (80%) and Black (6%).

In 2026, 31 pupils (15.6%) received SEN support and 6 (3%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Barnsley Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Overdale Avenue/Cross Street (adjacent), 170 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Bank End Primary Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 270 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Barnsley (121), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Bank End Primary Academy issued 8 suspensions, 3.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.