St Helen's Catholic Primary School
Barnsley, S74 9DL · Barnsley · primary school
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70th 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 — 0.0/10 against 1,703 of them, against 0.4/10 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 | 0.0 · 0 | 40% | 0.00 |
| 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.
St Helen's Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 0.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the CAFOD Club, Mini Vinnies, and the School Council.
Getting in
The published school roll is 126 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. 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 not meeting expected standards in literacy and numeracy? What specific strategies are used to improve attainment in the current cohort? How does the school ensure that the Good rating from 2023 is maintained in daily practice?
What Ofsted said about St Helen's Catholic Primary School
Overview
St Helen’s Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school, described as a “friendly and welcoming” community where Christian values are a “tangible part of everything.” Leaders have high expectations, and pupils receive a good quality of education with strong support for early reading and behaviour.
Strengths
- The school is “filled with kindness,” with pupils modelling values well and bullying being “vanishingly rare.”
- The curriculum is “ambitious” with careful attention to vocabulary and building on prior knowledge.
- Teachers have “strong subject knowledge” and swiftly address gaps in learning, particularly in early reading.
- Staff are “well supported” and enjoy working here, with leaders considering their workload and well-being.
- Extra-curricular activities and trips provide valuable opportunities for pupils to understand the world around them.
Areas to improve
- Teaching staff require better training to consistently use support plans, as some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not always receive the help they need.
- Pupils struggle to recall information about other faiths and beliefs because they have not had sufficient opportunity to revisit this knowledge over time.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving appropriate training and briefings to identify risks and report concerns promptly.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 65% |
| 2024/25 | 0% |
| 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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