Joseph Locke Primary School, Barnsley
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The school has a strong focus on improving teaching quality and is using effective strategies like modelling, team teaching and lesson observations to help teachers develop. School leaders carefully track how all pupils are progressing and provide extra help where needed. Governors and the local authority are actively challenging and supporting the school to make rapid improvements.
Key Strengths
- Rigorous monitoring of teaching and learning through lesson observations, learning walks and feedback to teachers - action plans now linked to individual development
- More consistent pupil progress tracking with extra support targeted at those who need it most, monitored regularly by school leaders
- Better use of interesting lesson starts, appropriate planning for pupils' needs and good questioning encouraging them to think and develop confidence - expected reversal of Key Stage 1 decline and phonics improvement this year
Areas for Improvement
- Increase amount of good or better teaching - currently similar level to February, needs significant increase across school - teacher development plans should link to specific training needs
- Inconsistent use of marking and feedback policy - pupils not being given time to respond to improvement targets set by teachers
- Faculty leaders need more independence and confidence in analysing and using pupil progress data
Joseph Locke Primary School was judged to require improvement in February 2013 and has since undertaken systematic actions to address identified areas, with positive early signs of progress in teaching quality and pupil achievement.
At a Glance
32.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 61% to 79%. Maths has improved from 63% to 80%. Writing has improved from 81% to 86%.
Class Sizes
27.1
Avg class size
28.3
Infant (KS1)
29.4
KS2
15
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
449 pupils
444 capacity
5 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Barnsley
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Barnsley
Admissions Demand - Barnsley
Places available
3,009
Applications
2,440
Got 1st preference
96.3%
Got preferred school
99.2%
Primary admissions across Barnsley (2025/26)
Inspection History(10)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.85415%
Overall absence
10.80332%
Persistent absence
361
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Joseph Locke Primary School
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