SchoolScoresUpperwood Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of HCAT
Dartree Walk, Darfield, Barnsley, S73 9NL
01226 754336 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 July 2016.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 11 June 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
41 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Barnsley comparisons use the 38 of its 64 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 26 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 29th highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnsley. Higher than 18% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 92% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 19th highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnsley. Higher than 34% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 25th highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnsley. Higher than 24% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 87% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 17 parents whose child had been bullied 13th highest of 26 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnsley. Higher than 31% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 35 parents who had raised a concern Joint 23rd highest of 35 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnsley. Higher than 20% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 76% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 22nd highest of 38 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnsley. Higher than 25% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Barnsley figures pool parents at the Barnsley schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
29 pupils in this year group.
66% — about the same as the Barnsley average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 66% | 65% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 69% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 76% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 79% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 33 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 32 |
| Of those, offered a place | 32 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 57 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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
| Pupils | This school | Barnsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 25th highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 72% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 33.5% | 30.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 54th highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 29th highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.0% | 13.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 49th highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.7% | 9.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 19th lowest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 67% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 19th lowest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 68% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.8% | 12.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 17th highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 80% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.3 | 21.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 38th highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 53% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.9 | 11.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 52nd highest of 64 state primary schools in Barnsley. Higher than 18% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 15.7%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Outwood Primary Academy Darfield 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- All Saints Academy Darfield 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wombwell Park Street Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kings Oak Primary 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- High View Primary Learning Centre 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brampton Cortonwood Infant School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention
- Sandhill Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakhill Primary Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Ellis CofE Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Upperwood Academy's Ofsted rating?
Upperwood Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 July 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 June 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Upperwood Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Upperwood Academy?
83% of the 41 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Upperwood Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Upperwood Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 32 families put Upperwood Academy as their first choice for 33 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 32 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 138615.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.