Laithes Primary School, Barnsley

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Laithes Primary School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Leaders' ambitious approach ensures that all pupils are able to succeed, regardless of their needs or starting points."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a carefully considered and ambitious curriculum that reflects the context of the school and the needs of its pupils."

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years provision is carefully designed to support children to make good progress from their starting points."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a deeply embedded culture of ambition and care for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and for those who are disadvantaged."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have successfully created an inclusive, caring and ambitious school community, where all pupils are well supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils are safe and well supported."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Behaviour for learning is underpinned by consistently embedded routines, high expectations and strong relationships between staff and pupils."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should sustain the upward trend in attendance by continuing to analyse patterns closely, acting promptly where concerns arise, and working successfully with families to reduce persistent absence where it exists".

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Laithes Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 76% 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, 32 families put Laithes Primary School as their first choice and 63 named it as one of their preferences, for 32 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 Laithes Primary School are Athersley South Primary School (0.2 miles, 68% reading, 78% maths); Athersley North Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 54% reading, 59% maths); Mapplewell Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 89% reading, 89% maths); and Wilthorpe Primary School (1.1 miles, 75% reading, 75% maths).

Laithes Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Laithes 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.

46.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 58 pupils (18.8%) received SEN support and 27 (8.8%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Laithes Primary School has a SEN unit for autism: 12 places, 12 pupils on roll.

Laithes Primary School had 20 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 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 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Laithes Lane/Laithes Crescent (opposite), 110 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Laithes 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 2024/25, Laithes Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

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