Kirk Balk Academy
West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9HXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Kirk Balk Academy is a secondary school in Barnsley for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 3rd of 8 secondary schools in Barnsley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2020.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 January 2020, report published 27 February 2020
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 June 2025
Kirk Balk Academy is successful in its vision to be 'outcomes focused, child centred'. There is a deep commitment to improving pupils' life chances. The school's high expectations, relentless drive to help pupils succeed and committed staff ensure that pupils achieve well. The school provides a positive environment for pupils to learn and develop. It is calm and orderly. Pupils are happy, well-mannered and welcoming to visitors. They conduct themselves well and follow routines closely. For example, teachers signal the end of breaktime and pupils respond quickly. This ensures a seamless transition to learning. In class, pupils focus, listen to their teachers and follow instructions. They applaud their peers for their good ideas and contributions. Many pupils attend the 'PROUD' event in school, where they receive rewards for their achievements. Pupils feel motivated by the praise they receive. As well as supporting pupils' academic development, the school offers a range of opportunities to nurture pupils' interests and talents. For example, pupils attend clubs in performing arts, equalities and numerous sports. Pupils hold positions of responsibility such as 'pupil president' and 'sport leaders'. These roles support pupils to develop their communication and leadership skills effectively.
What the school should improve
- At times, teaching is not adapted as well as it could be to meet the needs of all pupils. In some cases, this means that pupils do not learn the curriculum as well as they might. The school should ensure staff have the expertise to adapt the curriculum and learning activities so that all pupils develop their knowledge securely and make the progress through the curriculum that they are capable of.
- Some of the school's strategies to support a minority of pupils with their behaviour are not having the impact they need to. This means that these pupils sometimes cause disruption. The school should continue to develop its behaviour support strategies to enable pupils to meet its high expectations for behaviour.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
256 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,318 pupils on roll, with places for 1,250
Schools near Kirk Balk Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnsley Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.1 |
| Netherwood Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 42.6 |
| Ecclesfield School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.5 |
| Chapeltown Academy | 4 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Trinity Academy St. Edwards | 4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Hayley Craddock
- Phone
- 01226742286
- Address
- West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9HX
- Local authority
- Barnsley
- URN
- 140979
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.