SchoolScoresPenistone Grammar School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Huddersfield Road, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 7BX
01226 762114 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 October 2013.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 3 February 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
329 pupils in this year group.
60% — 15 points above the Barnsley average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 60% | 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. | 53.6 | 44 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.8 | 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.
317 pupils in this year group.
96% — 6 points above the Barnsley average, and 4 points above 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. | 96% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 41% | 8% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 3% | 13% |
| Further education college | 44% | 70% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 96% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
127 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 35% | 35% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 69% | 69% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 40.7 | 34.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 379 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 56 | 34% | 63% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 39 | 13% | 36% | 30% |
| History | 31 | 3% | 19% | 23% |
| Physics | 27 | 19% | 44% | 31% |
| Biology | 26 | 12% | 42% | 27% |
| Geography | 25 | 4% | 32% | 23% |
| Psychology | 24 | 13% | 38% | 19% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 19 | 53% | 58% | 59% |
| Business Studies:Single | 18 | 0% | 11% | 16% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 17 | 0% | 18% | 17% |
| English Literature | 12 | 0% | 33% | 23% |
| English Language | 11 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 10 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Art and Design | 9 | 11% | 22% | 34% |
| Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) | 7 | 0% | 14% | 19% |
| Religious Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 33% | 67% | 26% |
| Sociology | 6 | 17% | 50% | 20% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Spanish, Computer Studies / Computing, Music, Design and Technology (Product Design), Turkish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
114 students in this year group.
92% — 17 points above the Barnsley average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 92% | 75% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 19% | 32% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 92% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
120 students in this year group.
71% — 30 points above the Barnsley average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 71% | 41% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 39% | 9% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 71% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 | 309 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 311 |
| Of those, offered a place | 307 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 472 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision and a SEN unit with 26 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Other difficulties or disabilities; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties; Severe learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5% | 32.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 12.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.4% | 6.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 71% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2 | 46.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 10.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.59% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 86% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8 | 18.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 27% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Questions parents ask
What is Penistone Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
Penistone Grammar School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 October 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 February 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Penistone Grammar School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 60% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Penistone Grammar School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 311 families put Penistone Grammar School as their first choice for 309 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 307 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 106653.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.