Mapplewell Primary School

About Mapplewell Primary School

Mapplewell Primary School is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its popularity among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 122 applications for just 45 places, with 58 families listing it as their first preference. This demand is understandable given the school’s capacity: it currently accommodates 348 pupils against a stated capacity of 270, meaning it is operating well above its official limit. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 12.3%, which is below the national average for primary schools and suggests a relatively affluent local intake. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state primary for children aged 3 to 11, with nursery provision on site. Samuel Garrood is the headteacher, and the school sits within the Barnsley local authority in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Academically, Mapplewell performs strongly. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Barnsley local authority average of 63%. This places the school 10th out of 70 primary schools in the area, and in the top 14% nationally. Individual subject scores are impressive: 93% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, with an average scaled score of 108, while 90% achieved the expected level in reading, with an average score of 110. At the higher standard, 40% of pupils achieved in maths and 53% in reading. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024 rated it Good overall, with Early Years provision judged Outstanding. This represents a change from its previous inspection in 2012, when it was rated Outstanding across the board.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a dining hall, outdoor playground, sports hall, forest school area and a chapel. Sports provision covers dance, football, gymnastics, cricket, swimming, netball and rounders, while clubs include drama, eco club and science club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists support for a wide range of SEND categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Given its oversubscription, families should be prepared to apply early and likely need to live within the catchment area to secure a place. Mapplewell suits families who want a high-performing, well-regarded local primary with strong academic outcomes and a broad extracurricular offer, all within a non-faith setting.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Mapplewell Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents