The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2020).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 46.0 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2020
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
46.0
2.2 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
55%
12.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
42%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
95%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
87%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
3%
Employment
Directly into work
5%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 262 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 17 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
23% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
5% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 22 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 15 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 90 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,327
- Capacity
- 100%
- FSM
- 28.7%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Barnsley
- Trust
- NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
- Head
- Mrs Hayley Craddock
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
3 official reports linked on this page, including 2 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S74 9HX
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSt Helen's Catholic Primary School
Primary · 333m away
West Meadows Primary School
Primary · 420m away
Hoyland Springwood Primary School
Primary · 630m away
Greenfield Primary School
Primary · 1.1km away
Hoyland Common Primary School
Primary · 1.2km away
Tankersley St Peter's CofE (Aided) Primary School
Primary · 2.1km away
Elsecar Holy Trinity CofE Primary Academy
Primary · 2.1km away
Birdwell Primary School
Primary · 2.2km away
Questions parents ask
Is Kirk Balk Academy a selective school?
No. Kirk Balk Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Kirk Balk Academy's Ofsted rating?
Kirk Balk Academy was rated Good at its most recent inspection in June 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Kirk Balk Academy?
Kirk Balk Academy currently has 1,327 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Kirk Balk Academy take?
Kirk Balk Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Kirk Balk Academy?
Kirk Balk Academy is in Barnsley, S74 9HX, in the Barnsley local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Kirk Balk Academy have a sixth form?
No, Kirk Balk Academy does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.