Darton Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Station Road, Darton, Barnsley South, S75 5ADOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Darton Primary School is a primary school in Barnsley South for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 49th of 72 primary schools in Barnsley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2016.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 12 October 2016, report published 10 November 2016

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 June 2022

Staff have very high expectations of pupils. Pupils are enthused by the ambitious curriculum they are taught. The curriculum is enhanced with visits to interesting places, such as a recent trip to the Jorvik centre. Leaders aim for pupils to be aspirational for their future and work under their own initiative. These aims are achieved. Pupils are highly engaged in learning. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education. The school is a calm and friendly place. Pupils are welcoming and polite. They attend school well. On the rare occasion that bullying happens, leaders manage it well. Pupils say that adults always help them if they need it. Leaders provide many opportunities to develop pupils' wider interests. A range of clubs, such as cheerleading and drama, build towards performances and participation in competitions. Older pupils give their own time to help younger pupils during after-school clubs. There are many opportunities to develop pupils' character. Leaders encourage pupils to be advocates for others. Pupils raise money through the school's tuck shop to fund education for children in Nepal. Pupils take on leadership roles in the school. For example, at lunchtime, reading ambassadors help their peers choose books from the library.

What the school should improve

  • Assessment systems for some subjects in the wider curriculum do not closely align with leaders' intended curriculum. This means that staff cannot be sure whether pupils are learning and remembering the intended curriculum in some subjects over time. Subject leaders should strengthen assessment systems to be assured that all pupils remember the subject knowledge identified in curriculum plans.
  • Some pupils do not have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of mathematics to reasoning and problem-solving tasks. Where this is the case, they do not develop the depth of knowledge in mathematics that they could. Leaders should ensure that all pupils apply their mathematics knowledge to reasoning and problem-solving tasks.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

33 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths58%

58%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths3%

3%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

297 pupils on roll, with places for 270

Eligible for free school meals17.2%

17.2%, 9.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2%

2%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.5%

13.5%, 1.3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.3%

1.3%, 4.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Darton Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Wellgate Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good72% met the expected standard
Kexborough Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good57% met the expected standard
Mapplewell Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good76% met the expected standard
Barugh Green Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard
Athersley North Primary School2 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard49% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
HCAT
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Natalie Fox
Address
Station Road, Darton, Barnsley South, S75 5AD
Local authority
Barnsley
URN
140602

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.