Hunningley Primary Academy

About Hunningley Primary Academy

Hunningley Primary Academy received an Outstanding rating from Ofsted in its most recent inspection in 2023, a significant upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2014. The inspection judged every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — as Outstanding. This places the school among just three primary schools in Barnsley to hold the top grade. The school’s academic strength is most clearly seen in its Key Stage 2 results for the 2023/24 academic year, where 84% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That figure is well above the Barnsley local authority average of 63%. It also ranks Hunningley 3rd out of 70 primary schools in the area, putting it in the top 5% locally and in the top 7% nationally. The school’s average reading and maths scores of 107 and 108 respectively are both above the national benchmark of 100.

A closer look at the KS2 data shows strong performance in maths, where 92% of pupils met the expected standard and 45% achieved the higher standard. In reading, 88% met the expected level and 39% reached the higher threshold. Writing is slightly lower, with 86% at the expected standard and 12% at the higher level. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard across all three subjects — reading, writing and maths — is 10%. While the school does not publish Progress 8 scores for primary, the attainment figures suggest pupils are performing well above the typical levels for the local authority. The school’s ranking score of 84 reflects this consistency, though it sits behind Hoylandswaine Primary School and Thurgoland Church of England Primary School in the local table. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is The Forest Academy, 0.9 km away.

Hunningley is a larger-than-average primary with 423 pupils on roll, slightly over its stated capacity of 420. It is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 92 applications for 44 places, with all first-preference applicants receiving an offer. The school has a nursery provision and serves children from age 3 to 11. Just over 42% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average. Facilities include a gymnasium, music rooms, a sensory room, a library, an ICT suite, and a chapel. Sports on offer include athletics, cricket, netball, tennis and football, and clubs range from chess and coding to choir and eco club. The school’s SEND provision covers a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. This is a school that combines strong academic outcomes with a broad enrichment offer, and its oversubscription suggests it is a popular choice among local families.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Hunningley Primary Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents