Barlby High School

About Barlby High School

Ofsted's Parent View survey, based on 18 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025, shows that 78% of parents would recommend Barlby High School. That's a solid majority, though it's worth noting that 22% said they wouldn't. The school is clearly popular with local families: for the 2025/26 academic year, it received 148 applications for 91 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.63. Of those, 71 were first-preference applications, and all 71 were offered a place. Looking at the survey details, 72% of parents agreed that their child does well at the school, and 61% felt their child is happy there. However, the picture is more mixed on behaviour and communication: only 61% agreed the school makes sure pupils are well behaved, and 72% agreed they're kept informed about what their child will learn. The school has a capacity of 750 but currently has 480 pupils on roll, so there is room for growth.

Academically, Barlby High School sits in a middling position. Its Progress 8 score of -0.03 is broadly in line with the national average, meaning pupils achieve about as much progress as expected from their starting points. That's slightly below the North Yorkshire local authority average of 0.07. The school ranks 21st out of 39 secondary schools in the county, placing it in the bottom half locally. Attainment 8 sits at 47.8, and 45% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 95 measure). The EBacc average point score is 4.45, with 20% of pupils entering and achieving the EBacc combination. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2023, the school was rated Requires Improvement across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, leadership, and personal development. This was an upgrade from its previous Inadequate rating in November 2021, so there has been some progress.

Barlby High School is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form. It offers a good range of facilities including a theatre, swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, and science labs. There are plenty of clubs on offer, from coding and chess to orchestra and Young Enterprise. The school has identified SEND provisions for a range of needs including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. However, the Parent View data on SEND support is too small to report. With 14.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a broadly typical community. Given its Requires Improvement rating and mixed parent feedback on behaviour, this is a school that may suit families who value its improving trajectory and are comfortable with a work-in-progress environment. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Brayton Academy, 4.4 km away.

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