[2] Barry Comprehensive suffered damage to kitchen and dining areas and some classrooms during a fire caused by an arson attack on 4 August 2006.

Outstanding features of the school include the relationships between teachers and pupils and the quality of care, support and guidance students receive.

Children make outstanding progress in their moral and social development in a school that is an orderly and respectful community.

[11] The School have introduced an innovative numeracy mentoring scheme with staff from the local chemical plant Dow Corning working with Year 8 boys.

[14] The S4C television series Gwaith/Cartref uses Barry Comprehensive regularly as the location for its fictional school, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Taf.