Barlby High School, Selby

In its own words: "Our ambition is that all our learners should experience “Life in all its fullness” and that we provide “a place to thrive.” Of course this includes the aspiration that they will achieve outstanding educational outcomes."

From the headteacher's welcome: "With support from Heartwood Learning Trust , we are continuing to ensure that we are at the forefront of development within our school. We work closely with our parents, carers and staff to develop a strong community school that nurtures Kindness , Respect and Teamwork ."

In 2026, pupils at Barlby High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 37.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.2 in North Yorkshire and 47 across England.

29% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in North Yorkshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 42.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.03: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 26.3, against 40.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 14 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Chemistry and Physics.

For September 2026 entry, 73 families put Barlby High School as their first choice and 144 named it as one of their preferences, for 95 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 secondary schools to Barlby High School are Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science (2.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.4); and Brayton Academy (2.7 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 50).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Barlby High School.

Barlby High School is one of 14 schools run by Heartwood Learning Trust, an academy trust.

57 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Barlby High School (as of April 2026): 70% would recommend the school, 67% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (70%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (49%).

Of the 120 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 80% to a further education college, 8% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

4.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 49 pupils (10.2%) received SEN support and 28 (5.8%) 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.

Barlby High School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs and social, emotional and mental health needs: 16 places, 5 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Selby Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Police Station (adjacent), 80 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 42 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well above the typical figure around schools in North Yorkshire (9), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Barlby High School issued 199 suspensions, 41.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Barlby High School are Barlby Community Primary School (0.5 miles) and Barlby Bridge Community Primary School (1.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.