Barnhill Community High School
About Barnhill Community High School
Barnhill Community High School is a popular choice among local families, with 896 applications for 234 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.83. Of those, 376 put it as their first preference, and 215 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand suggests parents see real value here, and the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 awarded it an overall Outstanding rating, with Outstanding marks for quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. Behaviour and attitudes were rated Good. The previous inspection in 2012 rated the school Good overall, so this represents a clear step up. With 1,569 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,422, the school is operating above its official capacity, which further underscores its draw.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
20 Feb 2024Source: Ofsted, 24 Apr 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barnhill Community High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices