Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School
86%
Capacity
518
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School
Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Barnsley community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 518 pupils on roll and is well-filled (86% of 600 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Susie Arnold, it falls under Barnsley local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 55% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 9386th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 49th out of 70 in Barnsley.
Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 62 applications for 38 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 38 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 3 areas, including Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication, Physical Disability. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School include Music Rooms, ICT Suite, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Outdoor Playground, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Dance, Netball, Rounders and 3 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Science Club, Choir, Book Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 13.2%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Barnsley, Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School is one of the options available in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | High Street, Sheffield, Barnsley, S36 6BS |
| Headteacher | Susie Arnold |
| Local Authority | Barnsley |
| Number of Pupils | 518 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.2% |
| School Capacity | 518 / 600 (86% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Jul 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 29 Sept 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (55%)
9386th of 13,686
Nationally
1003rd of 1,506
In Yorkshire and the Humber
49th of 70
In Barnsley
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
55%
Expected Standard
1%
Higher Standard
'22/23
66%
'23/24
55%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed38
62
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
38 families put this school as their 1st choice (61% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
High Street, Sheffield
Barnsley, S36 6BS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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