Birkwood Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good

Darfield Road, Cudworth, Barnsley, S72 8HGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Birkwood Primary School is a primary school in Barnsley for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 35th of 58 primary schools in Barnsley. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 10 December 2024, report published 22 January 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 December 2024

The school wants to give pupils the very best opportunities. Pupils strive to live according to the school's values of effort, kindness and respect. Pupils can be themselves and let their personalities shine through. They behave well. Pupils feel safe and listened to by adults. Parents and carers appreciate the support the school gives them. They say that their children are happy to come to school. This includes the high-quality support that the school offers vulnerable pupils, giving them the best chances to succeed. The school is ambitious for pupils' learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils achieve well across the curriculum. The school teaches pupils how to be active citizens of the world. A breadth of opportunities enable pupils to develop an understanding of difference, equality and respect. Pupils are polite and courteous. They are taught how to manage risks in their community as well as online. This helps pupils to make sensible decisions which they speak about confidently.

What the school should improve

  • The curriculum in early years does not carefully identify the knowledge the school wants pupils to learn across some areas of learning. This means that, at times, activity choices are not well matched to the intended learning. The school should ensure that the curriculum identifies the essential knowledge that children should learn.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

44 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths61%

61%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths9%

9%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Pupil numbers and mix

432 pupils on roll, with places for 339

Eligible for free school meals31.5%

31.5%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.7%

6.7%, 14.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.8%

11.8%, 3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.4%

4.4%, 1.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Birkwood Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Churchfield Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good80% met the expected standard
Milefield Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard
Cherry Dale Primary School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding63% met the expected standard
Ladywood Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good52% met the expected standard
Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange2 milesOfsted: Good66% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Daniel Wood
Address
Darfield Road, Cudworth, Barnsley, S72 8HG
Local authority
Barnsley
URN
106620

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.