Outwood Academy Carlton
About Outwood Academy Carlton
Outwood Academy Carlton is a mixed 11-16 state secondary in Barnsley, one of 13 schools of its type in the local authority. It sits fifth in the Barnsley rankings by Progress 8 score, placing it in the middle of the pack. The top-performing local peers are Darton Academy, Penistone Grammar School, and Horizon Community College, all of which post stronger Progress 8 scores. The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, receiving 395 applications for 207 places, with 210 of those as first preferences and 203 first-preference offers made. That level of demand suggests it holds a solid reputation locally, even if it isn't the highest-ranked school in the area. Headteacher Paul Taylor leads a school of 1,130 pupils, which is slightly above its stated capacity of 1,100. Over a third of pupils (36.1%) are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, reflecting the school's intake in a relatively disadvantaged community.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 96 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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
16 Oct 2024Latest monitoring visit (16 Oct 2024): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 3 Mar 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 14:55
Source: carlton.outwood.com. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Outwood Academy Carlton
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