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catchment.school

Kirk Balk Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Kirk Balk Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Barnsley , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1327 pupils, and a capacity of 1250 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,327

Pupils

1,250

Capacity

106%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2020

Kirk Balk Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Kirk Balk Academy?

The catchment area for Kirk Balk Academy is the geographic zone Barnsley uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Barnsley publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Kirk Balk Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Barnsley. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 1327 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1250 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Barnsley publishes the 2027 Kirk Balk Academy numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Barnsley before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Barnsley catchment area documents →

Kirk Balk Academy: at or above its 1250 place limit

Kirk Balk Academy has a published admission number of 1250 places. 1327 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 106%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1250 places. Barnsley allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 28.7% of pupils at Kirk Balk Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Barnsley.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Barnsley publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Barnsley school admissions →

Kirk Balk Academy: School Information

Full address
West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9HX
Local authority
Barnsley
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
28.7% of pupils
DfE URN
140979

Other Secondary Schools in Barnsley

If Kirk Balk Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Barnsley are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Kirk Balk Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Kirk Balk Academy

What is the catchment area for Kirk Balk Academy?

The catchment area for Kirk Balk Academy is the geographic zone Barnsley uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Barnsley publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Kirk Balk Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Kirk Balk Academy currently has 1327 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1250 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Kirk Balk Academy?

Admission to Kirk Balk Academy is managed by Barnsley. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Kirk Balk Academy cover?

Kirk Balk Academy is a secondary school in Barnsley, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Kirk Balk Academy?

Kirk Balk Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2020. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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