Royston St John Baptist CE Primary
Barnsley, S71 4QY · Barnsley · primary school
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57th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.4/10 against 2,500 of them, against 3.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 55.0 · 27 | 40% | 1.10 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Royston St John Baptist CE Primary overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022.
Getting in
The published school roll is 162 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 below the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6? How does the school plan to maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Royston St John Baptist CE Primary
Overview
The report describes a school where children are welcomed into a "nurturing environment" and supported to develop a "genuine love of learning." Leaders have established a culture of "high expectation," resulting in pupils who are polite, well behaved, and achieve well across a range of subjects. The early years provision is highlighted as particularly effective, ensuring children are "extremely well prepared to start Year 1."
Strengths
- Reading is central to the curriculum, with adults teaching phonics well and providing "swift and effective support" for those finding it difficult.
- The curriculum is carefully sequenced, ensuring knowledge builds logically from Reception through to Year 6, as seen in science and history.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "supported very well" and achieve well due to high expectations and targeted resources.
- The early years environment is "supportive and exciting," with a highly effective focus on communication, language, and vocabulary development.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders being "relentless in getting pupils and families the support needed."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure letter formation is a regular focus, as inaccurate formation currently hinders some pupils’ ability to record ideas efficiently.
- Subject leaders in some foundation subjects, such as computing, need to develop better methods to gauge and act upon what pupils know and remember.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and leaders responding quickly to concerns to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 62% |
| 2023/24 | 57% |
| 2024/25 | 55% |
| 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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