Secondary modern school Hoyland Kirk Balk School opened in 1933. Extension were built around 1964 by
Charles R. Price, which opened in September 1965. The extensions were officially opened on Wednesday 4 May 1966 by the
Bishop of Sheffield, Right Rev.
F. J. Taylor. Construction had taken over two years. It became a coeducational school, from two schools
Comprehensive It became comprehensive in September 1968, but the sixth form was at other schools, and still is today. A sports centre was built from 1971, which opened on 9 December 1974, with a licensed bar. From September 1975 local people could also attend
Brampton Ellis Comprehensive School. In September 1976 the long-serving headmistress left, and a no-nonsense former Army officer took over, and at a governors meeting announced that he wanted to restore the cane. But parents and governors were less enthusiastic. He wanted to cane vandals and people who caused graffiti. The chairman of the 24 governors was Allen McKay, a former miner, later the local Labour MP, who supported the headmaster.
Academy Construction of a new building for the school was finished in late 2011, allowing for the demolition of the old building. This made space for a new school
sports field. Additionally, the school changed its name from Kirk Balk School to Kirk Balk Community College, changing the logo and uniform in the process. In September 2014, the school was renamed Kirk Balk Academy, and in March 2015 it was formally converted to
academy status, sponsored by the
Northern Education Trust. In September 2016, Ms Jo Nolan became the Executive Principal of Kirk Balk Academy until 2018, when she was replaced by Mr Dean Buckley.
Visits •
Cliff Richard visited on Monday 18 December 1972, to give an hour-long talk on Christianity; Mr Robertson the Religious Education teacher knew Cliff Richard from youth work when at London University, and both of them knew the Christian actor Nigel Goodwin • Cosmonaut
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Volkov visited on Monday 11 April 1988; it was connected to Barnsley being twinned with
Horlivka in Ukraine, from May 1987 • On the morning of Wednesday 6 July 2011,
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent visited == House System ==