Lift Shafton is a mainstream primary school in Barnsley for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 31 of its 247 pupils (12.6%) were getting SEN support and 9 (3.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 247 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Barnsley.
12.6% get SEN support
31 of 247 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.6% have an EHC plan
9 of 247 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty20
- Speech, language and communication12
- Social, emotional and mental health6
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 247 (places for 280)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jo-Anne Charalambous
- Part of
- Lift Schools
- Free school meals
- 26% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Barnsley
- School reference (URN)
- 139004
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Barnsley council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, November 2015; improved significantly (November 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Improved significantly (ungraded inspection, November 2024).
Contact and getting there
High Street, Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8QA
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Churchfield Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
- Outwood Academy Carlton Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.8 miles
- Springwell Special Academy Special school · Ages 5–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.6 miles
- Waterton Newstead Academy Independent · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Cherry Dale Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 16.6%, EHC plans 5.2% 0.6 miles
- Outwood Academy Shafton Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 7.3%, EHC plans 4.6% 0.8 miles
- Brierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 20%, EHC plans 2% 1.2 miles
Questions about Lift Shafton
How many pupils at Lift Shafton have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 31 of the 247 pupils (12.6%) were getting SEN support and 9 (3.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Lift Shafton?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (20 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (12 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Lift Shafton?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Lift Shafton?
Through Barnsley council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Lift Shafton?
You can ask for Lift Shafton to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Lift Shafton have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Churchfield Primary School, about 1.1 miles away.
Where is Lift Shafton?
High Street, Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8QA, in Barnsley.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.