Most sought-after schools in Barnsley

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	Gawber Primary School Barnsley, primary	2.00	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
2	Lacewood Primary School Rotherham, primary	1.52	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
3	Trinity Academy St. Edwards Barnsley, secondary	1.45	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4	Keresforth Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.28	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
5	Mapplewell Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.23	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
6	Cawthorne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.21	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Oakwell Rise Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	1.17	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
8	Summerfields Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	1.13	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9	Outwood Primary Academy Darfield Barnsley, primary	1.11	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10	Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Rotherham, primary	1.11	2026	Some aspects not as strong (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
11	The Ellis Church of England Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.11	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
12	Outwood Academy Shafton Barnsley, secondary	1.08	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
14	Ladywood Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.07	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
15	Gooseacre Primary Academy Rotherham, primary	1.06	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
16	Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School Barnsley, all through	1.06	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
17	Birkwood Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.03	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
18	Penistone Grammar School Sheffield, secondary	1.01	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
19	Athersley South Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
20	Birdwell Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
21	Burton Road Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
22	Elsecar Holy Trinity CofE Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
23	Greenfield Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
24	Hoyland Common Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
25	Hoyland Springwood Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
26	Laithes Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
27	Lift St Helen's Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28	Oakhill Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
29	Oxspring Primary School Sheffield, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
30	Parkside Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
31	Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School Sheffield, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32	Silkstone Common Junior and Infant School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
33	Silkstone Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
34	Springvale Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
35	St Helen's Catholic Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
36	Tankersley St Peter's CofE (Aided) Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
37	The Mill Academy Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
38	Thurgoland Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School Sheffield, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
39	West Meadows Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
40	Wombwell Park Street Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
41	Worsbrough Common Primary School Barnsley, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
42	High View Primary Learning Centre Barnsley, primary	0.98	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	Hunningley Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	0.98	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
44	Kings Oak Primary Barnsley, primary	0.98	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
45	Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange Barnsley, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
46	Athersley North Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.97	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
47	Cherry Dale Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
48	Goldthorpe Primary Academy Rotherham, primary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
49	Highgate Primary Academy Rotherham, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
50	Upperwood Academy Barnsley, primary	0.97	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
51	Ward Green Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
52	All Saints Academy Darfield Barnsley, primary	0.96	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
53	Carlton Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
54	Churchfield Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55	Lift Meadstead Barnsley, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
56	Lift Shafton Barnsley, primary	0.96	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
57	Outwood Academy Carlton Barnsley, secondary	0.96	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
58	Bank End Primary Academy Barnsley, primary	0.95	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
59	Thurlstone Primary School Sheffield, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60	Darton Academy Barnsley, secondary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
61	Kexborough Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.94	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
62	Millhouse Primary School Sheffield, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
63	Queens Road Academy Barnsley, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
64	The Forest Academy Barnsley, primary	0.94	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
65	Wilthorpe Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
66	Joseph Locke Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
67	Kirk Balk Academy Barnsley, secondary	0.93	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
68	Milefield Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
69	Royston St John Baptist CE Primary Barnsley, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
70	Sandhill Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
71	The Hill Primary Academy Rotherham, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
72	Horizon Community College Barnsley, secondary	0.90	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.90	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
74	Wellgate Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.90	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
75	Darton Primary School Barnsley South, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
76	Shawlands Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
77	Holy Rood Catholic Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.86	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
78	Summer Lane Primary Barnsley, primary	0.85	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
79	Heather Garth Primary School Academy Rotherham, primary	0.84	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
80	Netherwood Academy Barnsley, secondary	0.84	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
81	Barnsley Academy Barnsley, secondary	0.82	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
82	Astrea Academy Dearne Rotherham, secondary	0.77	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
83	Carrfield Primary Academy Rotherham, primary	0.77	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
84	St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Barnsley Barnsley, primary	0.72	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
85	Barugh Green Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.70	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 85 schools in Barnsley have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Barnsley · How we compare schools.