Allerton Grange School Review 2026: A Rapidly Improving Community School

On the site where a medieval grange once formed part of the Kirkstall Abbey estate, Allerton Grange School now serves nearly 1,800 students in one of Leeds' largest secondary schools. Established in 1953 to accommodate the post-war population surge, the school was comprehensively rebuilt in 2009 as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, creating a modern campus that belies its established heritage. The past five years have marked a dramatic transformation. Following a 'Requires Improvement' rating in 2017, the school has risen to 'Good' across all areas, reflecting a determined focus on curriculum rigour, staff development, and pastoral care. With waiting lists in every year group and an expanded Year 7 intake of 300 students, Allerton Grange now attracts families from across Leeds who value its multicultural ethos, ambitious results trajectory, and genuine community atmosphere.

Allerton Grange radiates purposefulness. Students in navy blazers move between lessons with quiet confidence. Teachers remain visible throughout the day, creating a culture where pastoral staff and form tutors genuinely know each student as an individual. The ethnic diversity is striking and actively celebrated; it forms the foundation of school pride rather than an afterthought. According to the February 2020 Ofsted inspection, there is "a real family atmosphere" and pupils "are happy and feel safe." Parents overwhelmingly confirm this picture; nearly 93% report their children are happy, and 93% say they feel safe.

The school's values, 'Aspire, Grow, Succeed', run through daily practice. Aspire translates into relentless expectation-setting regardless of background. Grow manifests through extensive professional development for staff and dozens of leadership opportunities for students. Succeed drives a visible celebration culture where achievements are publicly acknowledged. This is not tokenism. In 2025, the school celebrated its best-ever GCSE and A-level results, and staff workload has been genuinely addressed through a 'fair workload charter' and reduced marking burden.

Andrew Norrington, who took over as Headteacher in September 2025, has embedded himself over eight years as a senior leader. His colleagues describe a collaborative leadership style grounded in evidence-based decision-making. The previous headteacher, Mike Roper, established the recovery trajectory that has now solidified. Behaviour has visibly improved; the atmosphere in corridors and classrooms is now "calm and business-like," and bullying incidents are rare and swiftly handled. For a school of this size, that consistency is remarkable.

The newly opened Sixth Form Centre symbolises the school's ambition. Modern, purpose-built, and housing 260 post-16 students, it signals genuine investment in fifth- and sixth-form experience. Students in the sixth form report feeling well-prepared for university or their chosen careers, and enrichment activities have expanded significantly.

GCSE Performance

Allerton Grange sits in the middle tier of national performance. The 2024 GCSE results achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.9, fractionally below the England average of 45.9. Progress 8, however, was -0.02, indicating that students make progress broadly in line with expectations given their starting points. Locally, the school ranks 17th among Leeds secondaries for GCSE performance. On a broader England scale, the school ranks 1,673rd out of 4,593 secondary schools (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% to 40% nationally. This represents marked improvement; five years ago, results were considerably weaker.

English Baccalaureate (EBacc) uptake stands at 23%, with students achieving grades 5 and above (pass standard) in 23% of cases. This reflects the school's curriculum design, which prioritises language, history/geography, and sciences as core pillars alongside English and mathematics.

A-Level Performance

At A-level, results are more competitive. A*-B grades account for 42% of entries, compared to the England average of 47%. The school ranks 1,628th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the lower half nationally. This gap between GCSE and A-level reflects two factors: the sixth form draws some external entrants, and competition at A-level is inherently tougher. Nevertheless, students report good progress, and the newly appointed A-level coordinators are implementing more challenging enrichment to raise standards.

Destinations

In the 2024 leavers cohort, 52% progressed to university, 23% entered employment, 4% began apprenticeships, and 3% pursued further education. These figures align with national norms for a non-selective comprehensive. One student secured a Cambridge place in 2024, underlining the school's pipeline to competitive universities, though the numbers remain modest. The focus on destinations data and explicit teaching of career pathways (Gatsby benchmarks) suggests this figure will grow.

A knowledge-rich, sequenced curriculum forms the backbone of teaching. The February 2020 Ofsted report explicitly noted that "leaders have a very clear vision for the school" with a curriculum "focused on knowledge," and recent developments have built on this foundation. Teachers understand the importance of retrieval practice and interleaving, returning regularly to prior learning. The Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) programme, introduced school-wide, reflects the priority given to literacy across subjects.

Curriculum leaders have structured topics carefully, ensuring logical progression. Pre-teaching of vocabulary in English, mathematics, and science is "particularly useful" for pupils with special educational needs, helping them access more complex material. Science is taught with real rigour; design and technology occupies a modern, state-of-the-art suite where students design and manufacture products across product design, textiles, and food. Computing and design technology clubs extend this into the extracurricular space.

For students with hearing impairment or other SEND, specialist provision is seamlessly integrated. The school is Leeds' only resourced provision for deaf and hearing impaired children, with many students using British Sign Language, English, and their home language daily. Staff manage this linguistic complexity with evident expertise.

Teachers employ consistent behaviour management, and pupils understand the 'Policy for Positive Discipline' applied uniformly. One minor caveat: the inspection noted a small cohort of persistent re-offenders who experience sanctions regularly. The school is working to address this through more proactive pastoral intervention and positive reward systems.

The sixth form has become a genuine strength. External sixth-form entry is now encouraged, and students appreciate the support on offer and the breadth of post-16 pathways. A-level routes offer subjects ranging from Classical Languages to Further Mathematics. Vocational and technical qualifications also feature, reflecting the school's commitment to diverse progression routes. The majority of leavers progress to university, with representation at middle-tier universities (Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Bristol) evident. For those pursuing apprenticeships or employment, careers guidance is thorough, and the school holds the status of 'Gatsby Gold' for careers guidance.

Extracurricular provision is genuinely expansive, with a new culture of active monitoring to ensure all pupil groups — not just the already-engaged — participate.

Music and Drama

Music thrives. Students can join the Junior Concert Band, Senior Concert Band, Pop Choir, Samba Band, Rock Band, or Brass Band. Peripatetic instrumental lessons (keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, singing, DJing, brass, woodwind, and strings) cost £51.50 per term, with the school subsidising over 50% of costs. Students qualifying for free school meals receive one free lesson. Major concerts include the Key Stage 4/5 Concerts and the annual "World of Music Concert," where ensembles and soloists perform. The school musical rotates annually; recent productions have included 'Grease,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' and 'Our House' by Madness. Shakespeare productions occur in Year 9, with opportunities to audition for Theatre in Education tours to primary schools. Drama also offers theatre trips to Leeds' cultural venues: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds Grand Theatre, and City Varieties Music Hall.

Sports and PE

Physical education is compulsory. The school offers multiple practical sports taught across the year: football, rugby, netball, badminton, cricket, table tennis, trampolining, and boxing. GCSE PE and Cambridge National Sport Studies qualifications are available. Sixth formers have free access to a modern gym equipped with up-to-date machines. Outdoor facilities include a massive sports hall (with a climbing wall), floodlit pitches, an athletic track, and dedicated courts. Staff lead by example; sports fixtures run regularly, and interested parents can attend by phoning ahead.

STEM and Technology

Design and Technology operates in a state-of-the-art suite. Technology Clubs run weekly, with students designing and manufacturing across product design, textiles, and food. STEM workshops and field visits occur throughout the year. Computing is well-resourced; there is a dedicated Mac suite for music technology and recording, plus standard IT labs for coding and computer science. Software Development Club meets regularly in the sixth form. The Year 9 STEM programme includes enrichment like the "Higgs Boson with the Ministry of Sense" workshop, exposing students to modern physics in an accessible format.

Academic and Personal Enrichment

The Reading Club, Chemistry Club, and Debate Club provide intellectual challenge beyond the curriculum. The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) allows sixth formers to pursue independent research. For Year 12 students, mandatory community action — a minimum of 30 hours — builds a culture of service. Year 9 benefits from visits by contemporary artists and authors; recently, fiction author Jennifer Saint held workshops with students.

Leadership and Character Development

Student leadership roles proliferate. Students become Drama Ambassadors, Music Ambassadors, PSHCE Ambassadors, and peer mentors. The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme runs from Bronze to Gold, and students nominate peers for recognition at "Hot Chocolate Friday" celebrations each week. The Spectrum club (LGBTQI+) offers community and identity affirmation.

This is a community school with no entrance test or selection. Admission to Year 7 is coordinated through Leeds City Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with approximately 300 places available and far more applications. In 2024, the admissions proportion was 3.27 applications per place.

Admissions criteria follow standard prioritisation: (1) looked-after and previously looked-after children; (2) children with exceptional social or medical needs; (3) siblings of pupils already at the school; (4) children living in the catchment area. If spaces remain after these criteria, distance is the tiebreaker. No formal catchment boundary is published; applicants should check the Leeds Council website for specific distance information. Parents can use the FindMySchool Map to verify precise distance from school gates.

Year 7 transition is carefully managed. Feeder primary schools benefit from joint activities with Allerton Grange: sports days run by student leaders, music workshops led by sixth formers, and technology days. This creates continuity and reduces anxiety. Sixth form entry at Year 12 welcomes external candidates and has clear entry requirements based on GCSE performance.

Every student is assigned a form tutor and a Year Team member (two staff per year group) who knows them personally and meets with them one-to-one each year to check on wellbeing and aspirations. This is real, not tokenistic. The Behaviour and Welfare Team includes coaches and support staff available throughout the day. For students struggling with confidence, anxiety, or anger, targeted support sessions are available.

Safeguarding is evidently strong. Pastoral leaders build genuine relationships; students report confidence in approaching staff with problems. The school provides age-appropriate education on vulnerability and risks. Staff training on safeguarding is thorough and regular. Single central record checks are compliant with legal requirements.

Peer support is encouraged, and student leadership in wellbeing builds resilience. Sixth formers benefit from enrichment tailored to their needs, including guidance on university preparation and careers.

School day

8:50am to 3:20pm (standard secondary hours).

Transport

Allerton Grange is located on Talbot Avenue in Moortown, Leeds, approximately 4 miles from the city centre. Public transport links are good; several bus routes serve the area. Students can walk or cycle if within reasonable distance. The school is near the A61.

Facilities

The building, completed in 2009, is modern and spacious. A full-size athletic track, swimming pool, and sports fields serve PE. The music suite includes recording facilities and Mac machines. Design and technology occupies a dedicated workshop. Multiple performance spaces support drama and music events.

Uniform

Navy blazer, grey tailored trousers or skirt, white shirt, navy blue tie (light blue stripe for lower school, red stripe for upper school). A grey jumper is permitted. The uniform is taken seriously; students wear it with pride.

Large school dynamics. With 1,800 students, Allerton Grange is a large comprehensive. Whilst the Year Teams and form tutors ensure personal attention, some families prefer smaller cohorts where anonymity is less likely. The sheer scale, however, provides breadth; subject choice and extracurricular options are genuinely extensive.

Waiting lists and admissions pressure. The school is oversubscribed in every year group. Obtaining a place depends largely on proximity or meeting criteria. Families should not assume a place is guaranteed without meeting admissions priorities. The distance data from previous years is available on the Leeds Council website; contact the school for the most current information.

A-level challenge. The A-level cohort is smaller, and performance sits below the England average. Students progressing to A-level should be confident independent learners; more intensive enrichment is needed to raise outcomes. The school is aware of this and has invested in sixth-form staffing.

Behaviour management for persistent offenders. A small cohort of students experience regular sanctions. For families with children who thrive on consistent pastoral support and whose behaviour is broadly compliant, this is not a concern. However, families of students with histories of frequent sanctions should discuss whether the school's restorative and preventative approaches suit their child's needs.

Allerton Grange is a school in genuine ascent. Five years ago, it was emerging from 'Requires Improvement'; today, it is solidly 'Good' across all areas, with best-ever results in 2025. The diversity is real and celebrated, not performative. Staff feel valued; students feel known. Extracurricular provision is genuinely rich, and the sixth form is strengthening. GCSE results sit at England's midpoint, though progress measures are in line with expectations. A-level results need further development, but the new sixth-form centre and recent staffing investment suggest momentum.

Best suited to families seeking a large, inclusive comprehensive with strong pastoral care, ambitious values, and genuine cultural diversity. The school offers breadth at GCSE and a genuine community atmosphere. Most families will find their child thriving here, though those seeking highly selective peers or expecting top-2% academic performance should explore grammar or independent alternatives. For comprehensive education in Leeds, Allerton Grange represents genuine, sustained improvement.