Holy Rood Catholic Primary School
Barnsley, S70 6JL · Barnsley · primary school
Check the area around this school
62nd 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 the 3,110 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.1/10 among them, against 2.6/10 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 | 53.0 · 24 | 40% | 0.96 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Holy Rood Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 53.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 3.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.1 out of 10 among them, against 2.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Cooking, Art, Movie, Dance, Running, and STEM clubs, as well as the Choir. Sports options include Barnsley Football Club Ball Skills, Momentous Football, and Active Fusion Ball Skills.
Getting in
The published school roll is 199 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 below the national median in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about Holy Rood Catholic Primary School
Overview
Holy Rood Catholic Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a school where pupils “talk positively about their school values” and demonstrate “kindness and respect.” Leaders and staff uphold “high expectations,” ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, are well-prepared for their next stage of education.
Strengths
- Pupils “access learning without any disruption” in calm classrooms, supported by staff who act as “effective role models.”
- The curriculum is “sharply focussed” on key knowledge, with starting points quickly identified to ensure learning is “highly focussed.”
- Spoken language development is a priority, with staff carefully modelling vocabulary and pupils rehearsing orally before writing.
- Pupils “unanimously enjoy reading,” benefiting from daily phonics sessions and books available “everywhere” in the school.
- The governing body is “highly experienced” and “effectively supports leaders” with continuous improvements to the curriculum.
Areas to improve
- In some wider curriculum subjects, assessment systems are new and information is “not yet used effectively by subject leaders to evaluate what pupils know and can do.”
- The school should “continue to develop the assessment procedures” to gain clear oversight of the curriculum’s impact across all subjects.
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 | 63% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 53% |
| 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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