Barnsley secondary schools league table 2025
Secondary and all-through schools teaching Key Stages 3 and 4. Ranked by the Success Index (England) from official English data; 11 schools in Barnsley, Yorkshire and the Humber. Rank positions shown on each profile are within England and Yorkshire and the Humber.
- 183Penistone Grammar SchoolSheffield · Local authority Secondary53.6 Attainment 8 · 1,946 students
- 277Darton AcademyBarnsley · Academy Secondary52.1 Attainment 8 · 1,099 students
- 362Horizon Community CollegeBarnsley · Academy Secondary49.8 Attainment 8 · 1,909 students
- 457Kirk Balk AcademyBarnsley · Academy Secondary46.0 Attainment 8 · 1,318 students
- 553Trinity Academy St. EdwardsBarnsley · Academy Secondary26.3% Free school meals · 882 students
- 642Barnsley AcademyBarnsley · Academy Secondary45.1 Attainment 8 · 874 students
- 739Outwood Academy ShaftonBarnsley · Academy Secondary42.0 Attainment 8 · 1,377 students
- 837Netherwood AcademyBarnsley · Academy Secondary42.6 Attainment 8 · 1,229 students
- 935Outwood Academy CarltonBarnsley · Academy Secondary41.5 Attainment 8 · 1,109 students
- 1030Astrea Academy DearneRotherham · Academy Secondary40.2 Attainment 8 · 1,071 students
- 1121Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England SchoolBarnsley · Academy All-through37.5 Attainment 8 · 1,108 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (England) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penistone Grammar School Sheffield · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 82.8 Top 25% | 53.6 Attainment 8 | 1,946 |
| 2 | Darton Academy Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 76.8 Top 25% | 52.1 Attainment 8 | 1,099 |
| 3 | Horizon Community College Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 62.2 Top 50% | 49.8 Attainment 8 | 1,909 |
| 4 | Kirk Balk Academy Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 57.0 Top 50% | 46.0 Attainment 8 | 1,318 |
| 5 | Trinity Academy St. Edwards Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 53.3 Top 50% | 26.3% Free school meals | 882 |
| 6 | Barnsley Academy Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 41.6 Lower 50% | 45.1 Attainment 8 | 874 |
| 7 | Outwood Academy Shafton Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 38.7 Lower 50% | 42.0 Attainment 8 | 1,377 |
| 8 | Netherwood Academy Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 37.2 Lower 50% | 42.6 Attainment 8 | 1,229 |
| 9 | Outwood Academy Carlton Barnsley · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 35.2 Lower 50% | 41.5 Attainment 8 | 1,109 |
| 10 | Astrea Academy Dearne Rotherham · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 29.8 Lower 50% | 40.2 Attainment 8 | 1,071 |
| 11 | Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School Barnsley · All-through · Ages 3–16 | Academy | 20.6 Lower 50% | 37.5 Attainment 8 | 1,108 |
Penistone Grammar School in Sheffield leads the 2025 list of secondary schools in Barnsley with a Success Index (England) of 82.8. Of the 11 schools shown, 10 are academy, 1 are local authority.
For the full picture see the wider Yorkshire and the Humber secondary schools league table, every school on the Barnsley page, or the comparison tool to put a shortlist side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best secondary school in Barnsley?
Penistone Grammar School in Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber ranks first among secondary schools in Barnsley with a Success Index (England) of 82.8 out of 100 (Pupils on roll: 1,946).
How are secondary schools in Barnsley ranked?
Each school's Success Index (England) combines 9 factors: ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (35%), ks2: higher standard (20%), ks2: reading progress (10%), ks2: maths progress (10%), progress 8 (20%), attainment 8 (30%), grade 5+ in english & maths (15%), a level points per entry (10%), community advantage (fewer pupils on free school meals) (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across England. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.
Are these 2025 rankings official?
No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official English data (DfE – Get Information About Schools; DfE – Compare school and college performance). Independent schools rarely appear in the performance tables, so most receive no attainment components and no score.