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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 149455

Birdwell Primary School

Academy converter · Barnsley · S70 5XB

Ages 4–11 · 191 pupils · Barnsley

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

KS2 expected (RWM)

82%

Overall absence

4.1%

Admissions demand

1.03 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-01-20

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)82%
Higher standard (RWM)18%
Avg scaled score — reading
108.0
Avg scaled score — maths
108.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
109.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence4.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)7.4%
Unauthorised2.0%
Authorised absence
2.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
162

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.03 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

31

Places offered

30

1st-preference offers

30

Total preferences (any rank)
57
Preferred offers (top 3)
30
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill91%

191 pupils · 210 places

Pupils on roll
191
Boys / girls
98 / 93
School capacity
210
Capacity fill
191 / 210 (91%)
Free school meals
20.9%
FSM pupils
40
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: HCAT
Academy trust
HCAT
Sponsor
HCAT
Headteacher
Mr Richard Swallow

Location

Address
Sheffield Road, Birdwell
Postcode
S70 5XB
Town
Barnsley
County
South Yorkshire
Local authority
Barnsley
District
Barnsley
Constituency
Barnsley South
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 4–11, in Barnsley, Barnsley, 191 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 20.9%.

Open schools in Barnsley
80
Primary schools in Barnsley
64
Academies among open schools in Barnsley
74% (59)
Open schools in S70
17
Primary in S70
11
Open schools in Barnsley LA
96
Primary in Barnsley LA
77

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BarnsleyNear S70

  • Hoyland Common Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S74 0DJ · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS278%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM16.7%
    • Demand1.00

    0.9 miles away

  • West Meadows Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S74 9ET · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS241%
    • Absence7.8%
    • FSM40.6%
    • Demand1.00

    1.1 miles away

  • St Helen's Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Barnsley · S74 9DL · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence8.1%
    • FSM40.5%
    • Demand1.00

    1.5 miles away

  • Hoyland Springwood Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Barnsley · S74 0ER · Barnsley

    Ages 5–11

    • KS245%
    • Absence6.7%
    • FSM52.2%
    • Demand1.00

    1.7 miles away

  • The Mill Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Barnsley · S70 5EP · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS247%
    • Absence7.1%
    • FSM42.1%
    • Demand1.00

    1.8 miles away

  • Ward Green Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S70 5HJ · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS266%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM28.6%
    • Demand0.98

    1.8 miles away

  • Jump Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S74 0JW · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    2.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Richard Swallow
Telephone
01226742957
Website
https://www.birdwellprimary.co.uk

Official links