Lift St Helen's
St Helen's Way, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, S71 2PSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Lift St Helen's is a primary school in Barnsley for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 47th of 58 primary schools in Barnsley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 January 2024, report published 4 March 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- 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 23 January 2024
Pupils are proud to be part of this highly inclusive school. Leaders have established a set of values based on 'excellent attitudes, knowledge and teaching'. These values galvanise staff to provide the best possible education for pupils. Pupils are inspired to live out these values through their conduct and attitudes towards learning. St Helen's Primary Academy is a friendly and happy place to learn. The recently established leadership team has implemented a curriculum that helps pupils to secure a deep knowledge of the subjects that they study. For example, pupils shared their impressive understanding across a number of subjects, including the reasons behind Viking raids and the role of trade during this period in history. Adults help pupils to manage their own feelings and to behave well. Leaders have established a behaviour ladder to help pupils to understand what adults expect of them. Staff apply this consistently. As a result, pupils behave well most of the time. When behaviour slips, staff immediately help pupils to get back on track. This means that pupils can focus on their learning, with few distractions. Leaders make sure that pupils and families understand why attending school is important. Staff provide lots of support to help pupils attend every day. This is making a positive difference to pupils.
What the school should improve
- Pupils have some gaps in their knowledge from previous years across a number of subjects. This means that pupils lack some of the prior knowledge that they need in order to build new learning. The school should make sure that pupils are given opportunities to address these gaps so that they have the knowledge and skills they need to help them to learn new knowledge and concepts.
- In early years, some activities that children are given to do are not focused closely enough on the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to learn. This means that sometimes, pupils are completing tasks that do not sufficiently deepen their learning. The school should make sure that the activities children are given provide better opportunities for them to learn more deeply.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
29 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
183 pupils on roll, with places for 280
Schools near Lift St Helen's
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
| Carlton Primary Academy | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| Burton Road Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 76% met the expected standard |
| Athersley South Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
| Laithes Primary School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 68% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LIFT SCHOOLS
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Victoria Gorton
- Phone
- 01226295210
- Address
- St Helen's Way, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, S71 2PS
- Local authority
- Barnsley
- URN
- 139006
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.