Best secondary schools in Barnsley (2026)
Barnsley has 3 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Horizon Community College, in the top 42% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 44.1, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Barnsley has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 42% in England |
Horizon Community College Barnsley |
48.1 | 49.8 | 48% | No rating | |
2 Bottom 42% in England |
Barnsley Academy Barnsley · Christian |
43.3 | 45.1 | 44% | Good | |
3 Bottom 6% in England |
Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School Barnsley · Church of England/Roman Catholic |
36.3 | 37.5 | 20% | Not judged |
Other towns in South Yorkshire
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Barnsley?
On exam results over the last three years, Horizon Community College is the top-ranked secondary school in Barnsley, in the top 42% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.