Springwell Alternative Academy, Barnsley

Across Barnsley, 91% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 98% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Barnsley lodged 97 appeals against secondary school offers; 78 reached a hearing and 22 succeeded (28.2% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to Springwell Alternative Academy are Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 37.2); Outwood Academy Carlton (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42); Horizon Community College (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49); and Trinity Academy St. Edwards (2.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 53.4).

Springwell Alternative Academy is one of 33 schools run by Wellspring Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 18 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 17% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 6% to a further education college.

78.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 13 pupils (22.8%) received SEN support and 3 (5.3%) 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 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Carlton Road/St Helens Boulevard (opposite), 160 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Springwell Alternative Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 3rd decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 193 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.

The primary schools closest to Springwell Alternative Academy are Lift St Helen's (0.5 miles), Athersley South Primary School (0.7 miles), Laithes Primary School (0.8 miles) and Burton Road Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.