Ilkley/West Yorkshire Secondary Schools

[KatharineRose]

Dear all,
I'm very much hoping that you might be able to help me by providing an 'inside scoop', or even just some local gossip, on any of the following schools:
Guiseley School
Benton Park School
Ilkley Grammar School
Prince Henry's Grammar School
St Mary's Menston
as I am probably going to be moving to Baildon for a next September start.
I've tried to get a sense of ethos and basics from their websites, but I'm very nervous because I've always found that schools have a 'feel' which you only get from looking round, and with covid I fear that simply isn't going to be possible before applications need to be made.
I'm interested in everything and anything you can tell me from behaviour standards, to quality of teaching staff, and how pastoral or personal they feel. One thing I've noticed is that all the schools in west yorkshire are quite large compared to where we are now (most here are 5 form entry) and so I'm a little worried that 'average' pupils might get a bit lost?
I'll happily recieve private messages if that would enable more honesty - and please don't worry about being biased. Every parent will have different experiences and all kids need such different things from a school, so the more colourful the better as far as I'm concerned smile
Warmest wishes and many thanks,
Katharine Rose

My children currently go to the feeder school for st Mary's and it has been a good school for quite a while- as has Ilkley grammar. Benton park is having a lot of money spent on it at the moment and may have much improved facilities.
I would weigh up what's important to your child- sports? Art facilities?

Also St Mary's is the only catholic school on your list- is this important to you? If not maybe consider Ilkley?

Also what age is your child? Ilkley is difficult to get into as you have to live in Ilkley/ burley/ Ben rhydding- unless your child is going straight into sixth form?

Sorry for three messages my train of thought is all over this evening!

Umm isn't Salts your nearest school to Baildon . I have a yr 8 at IGS and am very happy with it. However you are outside catchment and it's oversubscribed as is Prince Henry's and St Mary's. Although IGS is large they keep the same form teacher all the way through and they usually are taught their subject specialty by them as well. I would have thought you'd be better looking at Bingley grammar and Beckfoot. Also whilst you could use the railway to get to Ilkley , Menston and Guiesley getting to Otley on public transport would be problematic as would have to get a bus from a Wharfdale station. Driving would also be a pain as either over or round the moor

I know you wanted people to provide you with a feel of the schools you have mentioned but if your moving to Baildon then you will be in the catchment area for Titus Salt under Bradford council.
As the PP has stated you will be out of catchment for Ilkley Grammar and also Benton, Guiseley, and Prince Henry as they sit under Leeds council. With St Mary if your not a practicing Catholic you won’t stand much of a chance of getting a place.

Yes, I was coming on to say the same - unless you have flexibility on where you're moving to then your choices will be limited. That being said, I have friends with children at Guiseley who rate it highly, and I've heard good things about Prince Henry's.

Just to add to what others have posted about catchments etc, Ilkley Grammar is not actually a grammar school, it's a comprehensive that has retained its historical name (same for Bingley Grammar).

Just to add to what others have posted about catchments etc, Ilkley Grammar is not actually a grammar school, it's a comprehensive that has retained its historical name (same for Bingley Grammar).

Thank you so much for all the insights so far! Knowing that they have a tutor all-through the time at IGS is great: I do think that would help them settle.
I really appreciate it. Sorry I should perhaps have explained more clearly. Baildon is the rough area because I need to care for a relative who lives there, but I'd aim to move to within the catchment of the school that would be best so I do have flexibility on area. The aim is to move next summer so the younger would be applying as per normal from yr 6 and the elder could then go on sibling basis if necessary.
Catholic is important to an extent (very much practicing and involved with Church), but I don't mind a non faith school. I just want a school that does care about the whole child, rather than seeing them as an exam factory if that makes sense?
Two quite different needs. For D academics are important - Maths particularly, and somewhere were there isn't too much pressure to be cool/popular because she's definitely not as is quite timid. Would also appreciate a school that is dyslexia-friendly or at least one that has good policies - S won't read in class, and needs support not someone thinking he's being difficult!
Neither are very sporty so the facilities provisions don't matter too much there. From what i gather both Benton Park and Guisely are due to get new builds from next year?

Sacred Heart primary might be worth a look in Ilkley . I know the forms are not full in ks1, not sure about rest of school. I think the catchment includes Menston and Burley as not many Catholic primarys . House prices are high in Ilkley , you would definitely get less for your money than Baildon , outstanding schools and 20 minutes to Leeds will do that. Mine went to Ashlands primary which is two classes a year and has a lovely inclusive ethos with a great senco. It might not look as good on ks2 stats but we had a lovely relaxed yr 6, and the children probably got results which reflected reality. I know my son was surprised by how well he was doing in Maths compared to kids who looked better on paper and struggled with algebra. IGS usually streams for maths via raw sats scores in yr 7, waited till after half term this year , and for other subjects in yr8.
Your other option is to sit for the Skipton grammars which are single sex. However, if out of catchment may not get a place even if they pass and generally need a higher score to get an out of area place.