Horizon Community College, Barnsley

In 2026, pupils at Horizon Community College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 41.8 in Barnsley and 47 across England.

53% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Barnsley and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 49.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.07: 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 42.2, against 52.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and History.

For September 2026 entry, 341 families put Horizon Community College as their first choice and 764 named it as one of their preferences, for 379 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Horizon Community College are Trinity Academy St. Edwards (0.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 53.4); Barnsley Academy (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.6); Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School (2.6 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 37.2); and Darton Academy (2.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.7).

Horizon Community College's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Horizon Community College is one of 14 schools run by Hcat, an academy trust.

Of the 384 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 85% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 79% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

In 2026, 256 pupils (13.4%) received SEN support and 50 (2.6%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Horizon Community College has a resourced provision (12 places, 9 pupils on roll) and a SEN unit.

The nearest railway station is Barnsley Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dodworth Road/Pogmoor Road (adjacent), 150 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 362 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, Horizon Community College issued 325 suspensions, 17 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 9 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Horizon Community College are St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Barnsley (0.4 miles); Holy Rood Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles); Joseph Locke Primary School (0.5 miles); and Shawlands Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.