Parkside Primary Academy
Barnsley, S71 4QP · Barnsley · primary school
Check the area around this school
43rd 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 — 5.6/10 against 2,502 of them, against 4.7/10 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 | 72.0 · 71 | 40% | 2.83 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Parkside Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard was 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Dance, Art & Craft, Choir, Construction, and SATs Booster clubs, play badminton, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 225 pupils against a stated capacity of 262. 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 have not yet reached the higher standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to improve attainment in the areas where results are below the national median? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Parkside Primary Academy
Overview
Parkside Primary Academy continues to be a good school where pupils thrive in a "friendly and inclusive" environment. Leaders maintain high expectations for learning and behaviour, resulting in strong achievement, particularly in reading and mathematics.
Strengths
- Reading is a key strength, with teachers delivering instruction with "precision and consistency" and quickly supporting pupils who fall behind.
- The mathematics curriculum is "particularly effective," with staff using clear explanations and regular revisits to prior learning to build deep understanding.
- Pupils behave well, bullying is rare, and they are taught how to keep themselves safe both online and offline.
- Extra-curricular clubs and residential trips effectively develop pupils’ talents, teamwork, and resilience.
- Leaders quickly identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and adapt teaching to ensure they access the same knowledge as their peers.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, such as history, leaders have not identified the specific knowledge pupils should learn in each year, limiting how well knowledge builds over time.
- Some early years activities are not closely aligned to children’s learning needs, meaning children do not always learn as much as they could.
- Some pupils have limited or inaccurate knowledge about different faiths because they do not remember what they have been taught in religious education.
Safeguarding
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 | 85% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 72% |
| 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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