Goldthorpe Primary Academy
About Goldthorpe Primary Academy
Goldthorpe Primary Academy sits just above the Barnsley local authority average for Key Stage 2, with 64% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared with the LA average of 63%. That one-percentage-point gap is narrow, but it places the school in the middle of the pack — 38th out of 70 primary schools in the borough, and around the 46th percentile nationally. What stands out more is the school’s recent improvement journey. In its 2018 Ofsted inspection, Goldthorpe was rated Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management also judged to be Requires Improvement. By its most recent graded inspection in October 2023, every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — had been upgraded to Good. That represents a clear and fairly rapid turnaround under headteacher Thomas Jay Bower.
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
24 Oct 2023Source: Ofsted, 6 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldthorpe Primary Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights