Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Barnsley, S72 9EJ · Barnsley · primary school
Check the area around this school
16th of 72 primary schools in Barnsley we can score, 77 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.4/10 against 3,405 of them, against 7.8/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 86.0 · 95 | 40% | 3.78 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 86.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0%, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 205 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school with a “warm and welcoming ethos” where pupils are “polite, well-mannered” and “rise to these expectations.” Leaders have developed an “ambitious curriculum” that captures pupils’ “curiosity and enthusiasm for learning,” resulting in strong outcomes in core subjects and effective support for pupils with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well in reading, writing, and mathematics, with “well-established” phonics routines and targeted support for those at risk of falling behind.
- Children in Reception develop “high levels of independence,” making their own choices and learning to play cooperatively.
- The school fosters positive relationships, with older pupils acting as role models and “subject ambassadors” who are passionate about their learning.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, and staff are “well supported” and proud to work at the school.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum must include “the most essential knowledge” about different world religions, as pupils currently have “limited knowledge” and often confuse elements of different faiths.
- Strategies for communicating with parents are “not clear enough”; the school should simplify processes to ensure parents feel “well-informed about school life.”
- Leaders need to continue refining the foundation subjects curriculum to ensure all pupils are “remembering and understanding” the ambitious knowledge being taught.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 90% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 86% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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