UKSchoolSearch
OpenPrimaryOfsted: OutstandingURN 139136

The Forest Academy

Academy sponsor led · Barnsley · S70 3NG

Ages 3–11 · 346 pupils · Barnsley

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

KS2 expected (RWM)

73%

Overall absence

6.5%

Admissions demand

1.07 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2023-02-02

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

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)73%
Higher standard (RWM)6%
Avg scaled score — reading
107.0
Avg scaled score — maths
107.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
107.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence6.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)19.9%
Unauthorised2.8%
Authorised absence
3.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.1%
Enrolments in measure
276

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

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

1.07 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

48

Places offered

45

1st-preference offers

44

Total preferences (any rank)
86
Preferred offers (top 3)
45
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 fill120%

346 pupils · 253 places

Pupils on roll
346
Boys / girls
171 / 175
School capacity
253
Capacity fill
346 / 253 (137%)
Free school meals
42.4%
FSM pupils
136
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 3–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Wellspring Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Katie Pierce

Location

Address
Thornton Road, Kendray
Postcode
S70 3NG
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 sponsor led (primary), Ages 3–11, in Barnsley, Barnsley, 346 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 42.4%.

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

  • Bank End Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S70 4AZ · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS270%
    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM47.2%
    • Demand1.00

    0.4 miles away

  • Hunningley Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S70 3DT · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS284%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM36.9%
    • Demand0.98

    0.5 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

    0.7 miles away

  • Oakwell Rise Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Barnsley · S70 1TS · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS274%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM42.5%
    • Demand1.18

    0.7 miles away

  • Worsbrough Common Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S70 4EB · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence5.7%
    • FSM32.3%
    • Demand0.97

    0.8 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

    0.9 miles away

  • Oakhill Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Barnsley · S71 5AG · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS256%
    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM24.2%
    • Demand0.94

    0.9 miles away

  • Queens Road Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Barnsley · S71 1AR · Barnsley

    Ages 3–11

    • KS254%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM28.2%
    • Demand0.94

    1.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Katie Pierce
Telephone
01226284719
Website
www.theforest-academy.co.uk

Official links