SchoolScoresDarton Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of DELTA ACADEMIES TRUST
Ballfield Lane, Darton, Barnsley, S75 5EF
01226 232306 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 February 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
206 pupils in this year group.
65% — 20 points above the Barnsley average, and 20 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 65% | 45% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 52.1 | 44 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
229 pupils in this year group.
90% — about the same as the Barnsley average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 3% | 8% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 3% | 13% |
| Further education college | 75% | 70% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Barnsley. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 230 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 217 |
| Of those, offered a place | 217 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 373 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 39% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.9% | 32.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 12.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 6.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.4% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 33.4 | 46.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 18% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 10.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils | 0.90% | 0.59% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 1st highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 97% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 21.1 | 18.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 69% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.9% | 15.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Horizon Community College 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Darton Academy's Ofsted rating?
Darton Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 February 2023.
How did Darton Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 65% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Darton Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 217 families put Darton Academy as their first choice for 230 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 217 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 146320.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.