Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School
High Street, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 6BSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School is a primary school in Sheffield for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 22nd of 136 primary schools in Sheffield. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 2 July 2024, report published 29 September 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 2 July 2024
The Christian ethos of this school is at the heart of it. The value of kindness is particularly important. Pupils say that bullying does not happen in school because people are kind. All staff share high expectations for pupils' behaviour. This starts in early years where behaviour is exceptional. Across school, lessons are calm and orderly. Pupils are awarded beads if they enact the school's values. These are highly valued. One pupil spoke for many when they said that achieving beads 'makes us proud'. Personal development is exceptional. There are extensive opportunities for pupils to develop talents and interests right from early years. Pupils can attend clubs such as singing, arts and crafts, baking and 'rock steady' music club. Older pupils have leadership opportunities. For example, they can be part of one of the many 'ministries' that take a lead on areas such as sport, well-being and health and safety. Pupils learn resilience and they are ambitious for themselves. Leaders have high expectations for all pupils. This starts in the early years where children receive an exceptional quality of education.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum has been reviewed and is still developing. The previous curriculum has left some pupils with gaps in their knowledge and understanding. Leaders should continue with their plans to develop and embed the improved curriculum to maximise outcomes for pupils.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
72 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
493 pupils on roll, with places for 600
Schools near Penistone St John's Voluntary Aided Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springvale Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| Thurlstone Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 37% met the expected standard |
| Oxspring Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 78% met the expected standard |
| Millhouse Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Hoylandswaine Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Inadequate | 85% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Susie Arnold
- Phone
- 01226762496
- Address
- High Street, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 6BS
- Local authority
- Barnsley
- URN
- 136941
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.