Outwood Academy Carlton
Barnsley, S71 3EW · Barnsley · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th 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 — 6.5/10 against 572 of them, against 4.4/10 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 | 49.0 · 60 | 30% | 1.80 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.25 · 31 | 25% | 0.77 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.0 · 29 | 10% | 0.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Outwood Academy Carlton overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following a December 2024 inspection. In 2024/25, 39.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.25 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,109 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,100. 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
What support is available for pupils whose Progress 8 score is below 0? How does the school ensure equitable access to opportunities for all students?
What Ofsted said about Outwood Academy Carlton
Overview
Outwood Academy Carlton has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school fosters a positive ethos where pupils are taught to ‘be good human beings’ and are well prepared for the wider world. Leaders are determined that all pupils should succeed, providing a curriculum that develops knowledge, skills, and character.
Strengths
- Pupils are happy, enjoy learning, and develop a ‘thorough grounding in knowledge and skills’.
- The curriculum is structured around ‘five pillars of learning’, helping pupils recall past learning and remember more over time.
- Teachers adapt lessons to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring the curriculum is accessible to all.
- Pupils demonstrate a ‘strong moral code’, behave well, and contribute positively to the wider community through charity work and litter picks.
- Attendance has ‘improved considerably’ due to extensive strategies, and the rate of suspensions is continuing to fall.
Areas to improve
- A significant number of pupils are still absent from school too often, which limits their progress and outcomes in external examinations.
- Methods for checking pupil misconceptions and understanding lack consistency, meaning pupils do not always link ideas and knowledge together as effectively as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.7 |
| 2024/25 | 41.5 |
| 2025/26 | 42.0 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of S71 3EW, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT