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Penistone Grammar School

Barnsley, S36 7BXSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Feb 2023
Progress 8
+0.33
Above average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
307 1st-choice / 315 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#780 of 3,141 nationally

About Penistone Grammar School

Penistone Grammar School is a large secondary school in Barnsley that is currently oversubscribed, a clear signal of its popularity with local families. With 1,922 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,877, the school is operating above its official limit, and for the 2025/26 admissions round it received 504 applications for 315 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.6. Of those, 307 were first-preference applications, and 299 first-preference offers were made, meaning most families who put it top got a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 14 per cent, which is below the national average for secondary schools and suggests a relatively less disadvantaged intake than many other state schools in the area. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and has no religious character, so it draws from a broad cross-section of the local community. Paul Crook is the headteacher.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressHuddersfield Road, Sheffield, Barnsley, S36 7BX
HeadteacherPaul Crook
Local AuthorityBarnsley
Number of Pupils1,922
Free School Meals (FSM)14.0%
School Capacity1,922 / 1,877 (102% full)
Sixth FormYes

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

3 Feb 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Latest monitoring visit (3 Feb 2023): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 6 Nov 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
Music RoomsTheatreLibraryArt StudiosAstro TurfGymnasiumDining HallScience LabsICT SuiteSports HallSwimming PoolChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

RugbyNetballCross CountryBadmintonGymnasticsHockeyCricketDanceRounders

Clubs & Activities

Art ClubDuke of EdinburghDramaYoung EnterpriseDebateChoir

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

SEN Unit
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySEN UnitResourced Provision

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Penistone Grammar School

Penistone Grammar School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.