Penistone Grammar School
School summary
With close to 1,922 pupils on its roll, Penistone Grammar School is a large state secondary serving families in Sheffield within Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Despite its size, it maintains a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 18, broadly in line with what families might expect from the state sector. Ofsted rated the school "Good" at its most recent inspection, though leadership and management were judged only "Satisfactory", a distinction worth noting. The school is led by headteacher Mr Paul Crook and admits pupils at 11+.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Good
- Last inspected
- 3 February 2023
Teaching & academics
The curriculum spans GCSE through to A-level, with vocational BTEC routes and the Extended Project Qualification also on offer, giving pupils a range of academic and applied pathways. This breadth allows the school to cater to differing strengths and post-16 ambitions under one roof. The overall "Good" Ofsted judgement points to sound teaching, while the "Satisfactory" leadership rating suggests an area the school continues to work on.
Head · Mr Paul Crook
Sixth form
Qualifications offered
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- No
Schools nearby
William Hulme's Grammar School
Manchester
Edan Court School
Huddersfield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Park House School
South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber
Denby Grange School
Wakefield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Waterton Newstead Academy
Barnsley, Yorkshire and the Humber
Paces School for Conductive Education
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A large, non-selective-feel comprehensive offering both academic and vocational routes, Penistone Grammar School suits families wanting choice at 16. The split between a "Good" overall and "Satisfactory" leadership rating is worth weighing up.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Penistone Grammar School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.