Best Secondary Schools in Barnsley 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 10 schools across Barnsley. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Barnsley has 10 secondary schools, of which 1 (10%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 9 rated Good — 100% of secondary schools in Barnsley are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Trinity Academy St. Edwards currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Barnsley follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

10
Total schools
1
Outstanding
10%
Outstanding rate
67.5%
Avg KS2 SATs
38.4
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Trinity Academy St. Edwards
Secondary
 Outstanding 95 View school
🥈 Penistone Grammar School
Secondary
 Good 69 View school
🥉 Darton Academy
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
4. Horizon Community College
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
5. Kirk Balk Academy
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
6. Barnsley Academy
Secondary
 Good 59 View school
7. Netherwood Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
8. Outwood Academy Carlton
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
9. Astrea Academy Dearne
Secondary
 Good 52 View school
10. Outwood Academy Shafton
Secondary
 Good 40 View school

Related lists for Barnsley

All schools in BarnsleyPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in BarnsleyReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Barnsley1 school rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Barnsley

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Barnsley?
There are 10 secondary schools in Barnsley, of which 1 (10%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Barnsley?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Barnsley is Trinity Academy St. Edwards. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Barnsley?
Primary and secondary school applications in Barnsley are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Barnsley council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Barnsley?
10% of secondary schools in Barnsley are rated Outstanding and 90% are rated Good. 76% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.