Best primary schools in Barnsley
Anchor school shortlists to the sector you might buy into, not just borough averages. This ranking covers 78 primary schools in the Barnsley local authority. Postcode area S72 has the highest average school score (66.9 across 8 schools), while S74 sits at the lower end (35.7). 94% of ranked Barnsley primary schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 primary schools in Barnsley on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the Barnsley comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More primary schools in Barnsley
Positions 11–30 in the Barnsley ranking.
| # | School | LocaleIQ | Ofsted | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Bank End Primary Academy | 84.3 | Good | Primary |
| 12 | Worsbrough Common Primary School | 82.8 | Good | Primary |
| 13 | Birdwell Primary School | 81.4 | Good | Primary |
| 14 | Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School | 80.8 | Good | Primary |
| 15 | Churchfield Primary School | 80.3 | Good | Primary |
| 16 | Silkstone Common Junior and Infant School | 79.3 | Good | Primary |
| 17 | Outwood Primary Academy Darfield | 78.4 | Good | Primary |
| 18 | Summerfields Primary Academy | 78 | Good | Primary |
| 19 | Milefield Primary School | 77 | Good | Primary |
| 20 | Lift Meadstead | 76.6 | Good | Primary |
| 21 | Athersley South Primary School | 76.1 | Good | Primary |
| 22 | Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | 75.5 | Good | Primary |
| 23 | Wellgate Primary School | 75.3 | Good | Primary |
| 24 | Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange | 74.6 | Good | Primary |
| 25 | Burton Road Primary School | 74.4 | Good | Primary |
| 26 | Mapplewell Primary School | 73.8 | Good | Primary |
| 27 | Tankersley St Peter's CofE (Aided) Primary School | 71.8 | Good | Primary |
| 28 | Oxspring Primary School | 71.3 | Good | Primary |
| 29 | Joseph Locke Primary School | 69.5 | Good | Primary |
| 30 | Springvale Primary School | 69.3 | Good | Primary |
Keep exploring Barnsley
Questions about primary schools in Barnsley
What is the best primary school in Barnsley?
Gawber Primary School is the top-ranked primary school in Barnsley (LocaleIQ score 97.4 out of 100). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 80% · higher 27%. The score combines Ofsted outcome, KS2 expected and higher standards, and cohort-weighted percentile ranks within the Barnsley primary pool.
What is the best secondary school in Barnsley?
Penistone Grammar School tops the Barnsley secondary school ranking (LocaleIQ 71.7). Ofsted: Good. Attainment 8 53.6. See the full secondary school ranking for Barnsley for the complete list.
Which primary schools in Barnsley have the best KS2 results?
KS2 results measure the percentage of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and maths (expected standard) and the percentage achieving well above average (higher standard). Top performers in Barnsley: Gawber Primary School (KS2 expected 80%, higher 27%); Hunningley Primary Academy (KS2 expected 87%, higher 15%); Cawthorne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (KS2 expected 83%, higher 26%). KS2 results are one of the inputs in the LocaleIQ primary school score alongside Ofsted outcome.
Which primary schools in Barnsley are rated Outstanding by Ofsted?
4 primary schools in the Barnsley ranking hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating: Gawber Primary School, Hunningley Primary Academy, The Forest Academy, Kings Oak Primary. Outstanding means Ofsted judged the school exceptional in all inspection areas. LocaleIQ weighs DfE performance data alongside Ofsted, so a Good-rated school can still rank highly.
How many primary schools are ranked in Barnsley?
This ranking covers 78 primary schools in the Barnsley comparison pool. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Which area of Barnsley has the best primary schools?
By average LocaleIQ score across postcode areas, S72 has the strongest cluster — 66.9 average across 8 ranked primary schools. S74 sits at the lower end (35.7 average). Anchor school shortlists to the sector you might buy into, not just borough averages. Postcode averages mask individual variation — always review each school's full profile.
Ranking data last computed 29 March 2026.