Secondary school's in North Yorkshire

[NorthYork18]

Hi we may be moving to North Yorkshire- can be anywhere within a hour of Leeds or so. I have a dc currently in year 7.

So far I identified Skipton, Ikley, Ripon and Knaesborough as places that we can afford with good grammar schools, but am open to any suggestions. Having phoned up a few grammars today all said the chances of places were pretty much impossible. My dc could take the test; but there weren't actually spaces.

Has anyone moved in a similar school year (year 7/8) and succeeded? If not what other non-selective are good in North Yorkshire? Thanks

[Rosieposy4]

Only skipton and ripon on your list are actually grammar schools. Ilkley and knaresborough are both comps, Ilkley great, knaresborough less so. Harrogate also has good schools, both the grammar ( not a grammar) and Aidans and Fishers.
You need to get on the list for your chosen school/ schools and be ready to move as soon as a kid leaves.

[NorthYork18]

Thanks- sorry its a bit confusing looking at brand new area! Which school in Ilkley is good? Thank you

[MarchingFrogs]

NorthYork18, is your DC in a state grammar school at the moment?

Not all schools with 'grammar' in their title are actually 'grammar schools' in the sense of 'state secondary schools admitting by academic selection'. Some were previously state grammar schools which chose or were made to become comprehensive schools when the system changed from the early 1970s, but retain the title. Others, given the choice between becoming comprehensive schools in the state system or become fee-paying independent schools, opted for the latter. I'm not in that area, but looking at its website, Ilkley Grammar School is an academy comprehensive school.

[Jeanvaljean27]

Placemarking

[JanetheObscure]

There are selective grammar schools (in the sense that I think the OP means them) in Skipton and Ripon. Both very good, but I'm not sure they'd have places for the start of Yr 8.

Ilkley and Knaresborough are non-selective. Ilkley is a really good school (Ofsted outstanding) - I have friends with kids there who are very happy with it. I don't know so much about Knaresborough, but it's Ofsted good. Again, whether there would be spare places is another question.

[BrendansDanceShoes]

Harrogate has excellent schools. Faith schools st Aidens and st John Fisher. Non faith. Harrogate Grammar (as per above, this is a non selective comp, despite the name) and Rossett. All outstanding. All achieve excellent results and stretch a child who elsewhere in the country would be your typical grammar school kid.

[Floottoot]

My nephews are both in Fulford in York. I believe it's a very good secondary school, although not a grammar.

[Goshitshighuphere]

Ripon isn't really within a hour of Leeds- no train service and unless you leave very early it would take well over an hour to get into Leeds. Skipton is all not very commutable by car - heavy traffic and just under an hour by train- but you have to get to the station.

Harrogate Grammar is selective by postcode- very selective by postcode. Check very carefully before committing to a property

St James in Knaresborough is a dark horse but very highly rated by insiders.

Harrogate -Aidans and St John Fisher- by faith but historically have had some movement in/out - not sure currently.Rossett- traditionally was the easiest to get into but now more highly regarded. Parents very complimentary.

What is your rough housing budget? Why North Yorkshire and not Leeds or other LAs?

[Goshitshighuphere]

King James- not Saint!

[BikeRunSki]

Actually West Yorkshire - but easy for Leeds- Otley, Prince Henry’s?

[Justalittlebitblondie]

I’ve lived in Ripon and commuted to Leeds - about 45 mins to north Leeds, other areas can take longer but best to check any where out before committing- am sure you will anyhow

[Cyclingforcake]

Ilkley is in West (not North) Yorkshire too! 25mins to central Leeds by train but a lot longer by car as the traffic is shocking. Ilkley Grammer is a great comprehensive but looses quite a few of the top end to the Skipton selective grammars (and to private). Ilkley is eye-wateringly expensive. Probably won’t seem so bad if you’re coming from the SE but 4 bed detached houses seem to be in short supply and going for well over asking price. Lovely town though.

[Cyclingforcake]

Oh and Otley doesn’t have a train station which is worth bearing in mind if you were thinking of commuting on the train.

[Atthebottomofthesea]

Pretty much the edge of North Yorkshire, but there is Stokesley School. It has a fairly large catchment area. Would just be over the hour to Leeds, but you could live further down from Stokesley.

(I haven't actually got a child there, but I did go to the open evening)

[InspiredByIntegrity]

I sometimes work in an office near the White Rose Shopping Centre and can travel the 50 miles there I have to do in the same time as it takes colleagues from Ilkley to do their 20 miles. You need to consider where in Leeds you need to access for work.

Tadcaster Grammar has a good name.

[Goshitshighuphere]

Stokesley would be 2 hours into Leeds city centre driving for 9 am. No train service or public transport. It takes well over an hour to drive in the middle of the day. You cant live much further down as you hit the Northallerton catchments.

Allerton High is a very good school- March 2018 Ofsted said 'I am of the opinion that the school has demonstrated strong practice in certain areas. This may indicate that the school is improving towards being outstanding."

[NoisyWashing]

I would imagine that most of the good schools don’t actually have any spaces though. I would therefore start by speaking to the councils and finding out which schools have spaces in the year you need

[InspirationUnavailable]

I believe North Yorkshire is one of the best performing LEAs in the country so good schools aren’t hard to come by. In your position I would find the area where you want to live and work from there. I can’t talk for all areas but we’re between york and Scarborough and have three well regarded schools within driving distance and a direct train to Leeds. Tadcaster Grammar is also a name that often crops up, Fulford in York I believe has a catchment area going out to villages like Escrick but you might struggle to find a space and further up north Northallerton and Thirsk have quick train links to leeds. In general I wouldn’t expect schools in smaller towns would be full but looking at larger/more ‘desirable’ towns (Harrogate, knaresborough, ilkley) and of course selective schools will have more of a pressure.

[Goshitshighuphere]

isn't it great when lots of people respond to an OP but they never bother to come back and respond.