History hangs heavy in the air here, but not in the way one might expect. Founded in 700 AD by St John of Beverley, Beverley Grammar School holds the distinct title of the oldest state school in England. Yet visitors expecting a museum piece will be surprised. Located in the bustling market town of Beverley, the school balances its 13-century heritage with a distinctly modern outlook as an 11-18 boys’ academy.
It is a school of interesting contradictions. It carries the "Grammar" name but is non-selective, serving the local community as a comprehensive academy. It is a single-sex boys’ school for five years, yet operates a fully co-educational Sixth Form in partnership with its neighbour, Beverley High School. With around 920 students, it remains small enough to feel personable while delivering results that consistently rank as the strongest in the local area.
The entrance to Queensgate reveals a campus that has evolved rather than expanded by design. Victorian red brick sits alongside 1960s functionalism and modern glass additions, a visual timeline of education in the East Riding. The atmosphere at drop-off is purposeful. Boys in their distinctive blazers, navy with gold trim, move with a sense of ownership.
Mr Gavin Chappell has led the school since 2015. His tenure has been defined by a focus on "modern gentlemen", a phrase that permeates the school's ethos. This is not about affectation or stiffness; instead, it frames behaviour, respect, and responsibility in language that teenage boys understand and respond to. The school motto, Adolescentiam Alunt (They nourish youth), is referenced frequently, anchoring daily life in the school's historic purpose.
Despite the weight of history, the culture is not stuffy. The corridors buzz with energy, but it is a contained energy. Interactions between staff and students are respectful, often characterised by good humour. The school prides itself on knowing its students well, a task made easier by the relatively compact site and stable staff body.
Academically, Beverley Grammar School stands as a local heavyweight. The 2021 Ofsted inspection rated the school Outstanding, a judgement that reflects its consistent performance. In the most recent examination series, the school secured the top spot locally for GCSE performance, ranking 1st among secondary schools in Beverley.
The school's GCSE outcomes are robust. The Attainment 8 score of 50.3 sits comfortably above the England average of 45.9, indicating that students achieve higher grades across their best eight subjects than is typical nationally.
Progress measures are positive, with a Progress 8 score of +0.13. This indicates that students make more progress here than students of similar ability locally and nationally. The focus on core subjects is evident, with an average English Baccalaureate (EBacc) point score of 4.55, exceeding the England average of 4.08.
At Sixth Form, the picture remains solid. The school ranks 2nd in Beverley for A-level outcomes.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
39.07%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at Beverley Grammar is designed to engage boys. Teachers employ strategies specifically tailored to male learning styles, often incorporating competitive elements, short-term targets, and active learning into lessons. The structure is traditional but effective. Key Stage 3 covers a broad base, including distinct sciences and modern foreign languages, before narrowing for GCSEs.
Science teaching is a particular strength, supported by well-equipped laboratories that allow for frequent practical work. The school has resisted the trend to narrow the curriculum too early, maintaining a strong commitment to arts and technology. Design Technology is popular, with workshops that are busy during lunchtimes as well as lessons.
Literacy is a key focus, addressing the national trend of boys underperforming in reading and writing. The library is positioned as a central hub, and the Accelerated Reader programme is used to track and encourage reading habits in younger years.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
The school acts as a springboard for diverse futures. The majority of boys choose to stay for the Joint Sixth Form, where the environment shifts to a co-educational setting.
For the 2024 cohort, 68% of leavers progressed to university. The school has a notable record of supporting students into elite institutions. In the most recent cycle, three students secured places at Cambridge University. This success is reflected in the school's ranking of 364th in England for Oxbridge success, a remarkable achievement for a non-selective provider.
Apprenticeships are also a celebrated route, with 3% of leavers moving directly into vocational training, often with local engineering and technology firms. Employment was the destination for 21% of the cohort, reflecting the strong local economy and the school's careers guidance which emphasises employability skills alongside academic grades.
Total Offers
3
Offer Success Rate: 60%
Cambridge
3
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
Despite the "Grammar" in its name, Beverley Grammar School is a non-selective academy. There is no entrance exam or 11-plus requirement. Admissions are coordinated by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
The school is popular and oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 220 applications for 162 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.36 applications per place.
Parents should check their address against the catchment map on the East Riding Council website. Distance is the tie-breaker for the final places, and this can fluctuate annually.
Entry to the Joint Sixth Form requires specific GCSE grades, typically a minimum of five Grade 4s or above, with higher requirements (often Grade 6) for specific A-level subjects.
Applications
220
Total received
Places Offered
162
Subscription Rate
1.4x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is organised through a year-group system. Each boy is assigned a Form Tutor who stays with the form as they move up the school, providing continuity and a single point of contact for families.
The "Modern Gentleman" ethos underpins the pastoral approach. It encourages boys to be polite, resilient, and supportive of one another. Bullying is taken seriously; the school uses a restorative justice approach where appropriate to resolve conflicts and educate students on the impact of their actions.
A dedicated Student Support Services team operates from a central hub, offering guidance on everything from mental health to organisation skills. For students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the Learning Support department provides tailored interventions, ensuring that the curriculum remains accessible.
The extracurricular offer is broad, aiming to capture the interests of every boy. Sport is a major pillar of school life. The rugby teams are formidable, competing successfully against both state and independent schools in Yorkshire. Football, cricket, and athletics are also played to a high standard, utilising the large playing fields that border the site.
For those whose interests lie elsewhere, the opportunities are equally rich.
The school has a reputation for excellence in robotics, frequently competing in national competitions.
The music department runs several ensembles, including a jazz band and choir, which perform at the Minster and local events.
Public speaking is encouraged, with boys entering local and regional debating contests.
Trips are a regular feature. From geography field trips to the Holderness coast to history tours of the battlefields in France and ski trips to Europe, the school is committed to learning outside the classroom.
The day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm.
Navy blazer with gold trim, white shirt, school tie, and grey trousers. Sixth Formers wear business dress.
Many boys walk or cycle from Beverley. For those further afield, dedicated school buses serve the surrounding villages in the East Riding.
The canteen operates a cashless system, offering breakfast, break, and lunch options.
Single-Sex Education: The main school is boys-only. This environment allows for teaching styles tailored to boys and removes some of the social pressures of adolescence, but it is a specific choice that families must be committed to.
Not a Selective Grammar: Do not be misled by the name. This is a comprehensive school with a mixed-ability intake. Parents seeking a selective "grammar school" education in the traditional sense will not find it here; they will find a high-performing comprehensive with a historic title.
Joint Sixth Form Logistics: The Sixth Form is shared with Beverley High School. While this offers a wider range of subjects and a co-educational experience, it does mean students may have to travel between sites for certain lessons. This requires a degree of organisation and maturity from students.
Oversubscription: With 1.36 applications for every place, entry is not guaranteed even for those relatively close by. Families on the edge of the catchment area should have a realistic Plan B.
Beverley Grammar School wears its history with pride but does not let it weigh it down. It offers a compelling blend of traditional values and modern teaching, resulting in the strongest GCSE outcomes in the town. Best suited to boys who will thrive in a structured, spirited environment and families who value the "modern gentleman" ethos. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular, non-selective school.
Yes. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in September 2021. It consistently achieves the highest GCSE results in Beverley, ranking 1st locally and in the top 31% of schools in England for GCSE performance.
No. Despite its name, Beverley Grammar School is a non-selective comprehensive academy. There is no entrance exam. Admissions are based on criteria such as looked-after status, siblings, and catchment area.
There are no fees. It is a state-funded academy.
Applications are made through East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The deadline for Year 7 entry is 31 October.
Yes. It operates a Joint Sixth Form with Beverley High School, offering co-educational teaching across both sites.
It is boys-only for Years 7 to 11. The Sixth Form (Years 12-13) is co-educational.
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