The Forest Academy
Thornton Road, Kendray, Barnsley, S70 3NGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Forest Academy is a primary school in Barnsley for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 95 schools in Barnsley. It ranks 25th of 58 primary schools in Barnsley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in February 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 2 February 2023, report published 20 March 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 2 February 2023
The 'Forest Promise' of 'Be the best that you can be,' is lived and breathed by all in this community of excellence and achievement. An ethos of care and compassion runs through the school. Nobody is left behind. Staff share a relentless commitment to giving all pupils the very best education and improving their life chances. Pupils revel in the opportunities that the curriculum affords them. They are highly engaged, enthused and passionate about their learning. Pupils are keen to demonstrate their ability to be independent self-motivated learners but also to look for chances to help other pupils. Pupils develop an impressive and deep-rooted sense of right and wrong. They are able to use this to recognise situations and scenarios in the wider world that they should challenge. Relationships between staff and pupils are built upon extremely solid foundations of care, respect and trust. Pupils say that they feel physically safe. Staff create an environment that allows for a feeling of emotional safety in which pupils thrive. Pupils feel confident and articulate enough to identify incidents of bullying and promptly report them. Their well-founded trust means that they know these rare incidents will be dealt with.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
43 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
346 pupils on roll, with places for 253
Schools near The Forest Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank End Primary Academy | 0.4 miles | Report card: Strong standard | 92% met the expected standard |
| Hunningley Primary Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 87% met the expected standard |
| The Mill Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| Oakwell Rise Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 81% met the expected standard |
| Worsbrough Common Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Katie Pierce
- Phone
- 01226284719
- Address
- Thornton Road, Kendray, Barnsley, S70 3NG
- Local authority
- Barnsley
- URN
- 139136
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.