Horizon Community College
Barnsley, S70 6PD · Barnsley · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 11 secondary schools in Barnsley we can score. 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 — 7.3/10 against 818 of them, against 5.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.0 · 69 | 30% | 2.07 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.07 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.0 · 65 | 10% | 0.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Horizon Community College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.07 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,909 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,000. 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
With 91 places currently available, how does the school manage class sizes for new intakes? Since the Progress 8 score is below 0, what specific support is offered to students who are falling behind in core subjects? How does the school engage parents in monitoring individual student progress between formal report dates?
What Ofsted said about Horizon Community College
Overview
Horizon Community College is described as the “cornerstone of the local area,” where pupils are “happy, safe and committed to their education.” The inspection confirmed the school remains “good,” with evidence suggesting it might achieve “outstanding” if a graded inspection were conducted. Leaders maintain “high expectations” that underpin a culture of mutual respect and strong academic progress.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “well-sequenced and thoughtful,” designed to turn pupils into “subject specialists” through carefully chosen texts and clear progression.
- Teachers are “specialists in their field” who present information clearly, using precise “Thumbnails” to tailor support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- There is a “sharp focus on reading,” with dedicated programmes ensuring pupils who need extra help “quickly catch up.”
- Pupils display “excellent attitudes towards their learning,” with “low-level disruption” rarely seen and swiftly addressed when it occurs.
- Personal development is comprehensive, preparing pupils to be “school ready, work ready, life ready” through robust citizenship and careers education.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.8 |
| 2024/25 | 49.8 |
| 2025/26 | 49.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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