UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 146320

Darton Academy

Academy sponsor led · Barnsley · S75 5EF

Ages 11–16 · 1,099 pupils · Barnsley

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

48.9

Overall absence

7.9%

Admissions demand

0.94 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-02-08

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.37
−20+2
Attainment 848.9
English & maths grade 5+54%
English & maths grade 4+73%
EBacc entry40%

EBacc APS: 4.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence7.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.4%
Unauthorised3.6%
Authorised absence
4.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.5%
Enrolments in measure
1,188

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary 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

0.94 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

208

Places offered

222

1st-preference offers

208

Total preferences (any rank)
382
Preferred offers (top 3)
221
Applications from outside LA
16
Offers to outside-LA applicants
10
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

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 fill92%

1,099 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
1,099
Boys / girls
545 / 554
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
1,099 / 1,200 (92%)
Free school meals
22.2%
FSM pupils
244
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

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: DELTA ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
DELTA ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Delta Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mr Joseph Spencer

Location

Address
Ballfield Lane, Darton
Postcode
S75 5EF
Town
Barnsley
Local authority
Barnsley
District
Barnsley
Constituency
Barnsley North
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 sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Barnsley, Barnsley, 1,099 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 22.2%.

Open schools in Barnsley
80
Secondary schools in Barnsley
8
Academies among open schools in Barnsley
74% (59)
Open schools in S75
17
Secondary in S75
1
Open schools in Barnsley LA
96
Secondary in Barnsley LA
10

Nearby secondary schools

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

Compare with theseAll in BarnsleyNear S75

  • Horizon Community College

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Barnsley · S70 6PD · Barnsley

    Ages 11–16

    • Att844.8
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence8.1%

    2.8 miles away

  • Kexborough Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S75 5EF · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM25.0%
    • Demand0.86

    0.1 miles away

  • Darton Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley South · S75 5AD · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS241%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM17.8%
    • Demand1.02

    1.0 miles away

  • Barugh Green Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S75 1LD · Barnsley

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM10.6%

    1.3 miles away

  • Wellgate Primary School

    Ofsted: Improved significantly

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S75 6HR · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence7.0%
    • FSM23.5%
    • Demand0.87

    1.8 miles away

  • Mapplewell Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S75 6BB · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS278%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM12.8%
    • Demand1.09

    2.0 miles away

  • Gawber Primary School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Community school · Primary

    Barnsley · S75 2RJ · Barnsley

    Ages 5–11

    • KS273%
    • Absence3.7%
    • FSM6.2%
    • Demand1.30

    2.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Joseph Spencer
Telephone
01226232306
Website
https://www.dartonacademy.org.uk

Official links