Lacewood Primary School

About Lacewood Primary School

Lacewood Primary School in Barnsley is a popular choice among local families, with its most recent admissions data showing it was oversubscribed by nearly two to one. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 54 applications for just 28 places, and all 28 first-preference offers were taken up, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.93. That kind of demand suggests parents in the area see something they like, though it is worth noting that the school does not publish a parent-view survey result, so we cannot point to a specific recommendation percentage. The school is a state-funded, mixed-gender primary for children aged 3 to 11, with a nursery on site. It has a non-religious character and is led by headteacher Katie Akeroyd. With 244 pupils on roll against a capacity of 250, it is running very close to full, which helps explain the competition for places.

Academically, Lacewood’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated it Good across every category, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. That is a solid result, though the previous inspection in 2014 also gave a Good overall rating, so the school has maintained its standard rather than improved. At Key Stage 2, the school’s combined reading, writing and maths expected standard was 47%, which is well below the Barnsley local authority average of 63%. That places Lacewood 61st out of 70 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the bottom half locally and nationally at the 82nd percentile. On the positive side, reading scores were stronger: 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, and the average reading score was 103. Maths and writing expected standards were 53% and 75% respectively, but only 5% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects.

The school offers a decent range of facilities, including an art studio, music rooms, a sensory room, a forest school area, a sports hall, and an ICT suite. Sports provision covers dance, cricket, tennis, cross country, rounders, football, and swimming, while clubs include chess, gardening, and a book club. For families with children who have additional needs, Lacewood lists support for a wide range of SEND categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. With 36.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged catchment. Given its oversubscription, it is clearly a first-choice for many local families, but the below-average KS2 results mean it may suit parents who prioritise a supportive, inclusive environment over top-tier academic outcomes.

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