St Helen's Catholic Primary School

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

West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9DLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Helen's Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Barnsley for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 55th of 58 primary schools in Barnsley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2018.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 9 January 2018, report published 8 February 2018

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 May 2023

This friendly and welcoming school is at the heart of the community. Pupils, staff and many parents describe it as a family filled with kindness. The Christian values are a tangible part of everything that this school does to ensure that pupils grow together and flourish. Pupils model these values well. This is seen in the support and care that pupils show to others. Leaders have high expectations for all pupils. Pupils receive a good quality of education that begins from the moment they start school. Pupils behave well. They know that they are well looked after by kind adults who will always help them. Instances of bullying are vanishingly rare. This is testimony to the culture that leaders, staff and pupils have crafted together. Following the pandemic, leaders ensure that there are increasing opportunities for pupils to benefit from extra-curricular activities. Leaders know how important these experiences are to develop pupils' understanding of the world around them. Year 2 pupils told inspectors that when they went on a trip to Worsbrough Mill, they learned how wheat is used to make flour. Many pupils enjoyed meeting Moose, the Newfoundland rescue dog, when he visited school. They found out about his role in helping people in trouble. At the time of the inspection, Year 6 were excitedly looking forward to their forthcoming residential trip.

What the school should improve

  • Some pupils with SEND are not always sufficiently supported in class. As a result, they struggle to access new learning. This is because teaching staff do not always work together to use the strategies set out in support plans. Leaders should ensure that teaching staff have the training and support so that pupils with SEND are able to access the curriculum alongside their peers.
  • Pupils struggle to recall important information about different world religions. This is because they have not had sufficient opportunity to return to this information over time. As a result, pupils have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should ensure pupils learn about different faiths in more sustained ways so that they remember important knowledge.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

22 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

126 pupils on roll, with places for 150

Eligible for free school meals40.5%

40.5%, 14 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.8%

4.8%, 16.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support27.8%

27.8%, 13 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan0.8%

0.8%, 5.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Helen's Catholic Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Hoyland Springwood Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Good48% met the expected standard
West Meadows Primary School0.4 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard55% met the expected standard
Greenfield Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Jump Primary Academy0.7 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Hoyland Common Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good66% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary aided school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Natalie Kelly
Address
West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9DL
Local authority
Barnsley
URN
106640

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.