Ripon Grammar School Review 2026: Selective Grammar Excellence in North Yorkshire

Ripon Grammar School has claimed the title of The Sunday Times' top-performing state school in the North for twelve consecutive years. This is not mere ranking; it reflects genuine outcomes. The school achieved 95% grades 9-4 at GCSE and 83% A*-B at A-level in recent examinations. Ranked 354th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably above the national 10% threshold, the school operates as a selective state grammar serving mixed pupils aged 11-18, with the unusual addition of boarding provision for approximately 100 students. As a rare example of an entirely state-funded boarding school, it offers boarding fees around a third of independent school costs. The school's six-form is ranked 389th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool data), placing it in the top 25% of schools for sixth form outcomes. Entry is by entrance examination; spaces are highly competitive with approximately 2 applications for every available place, and admission operates through the 11+ selective process in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council.

A sense of purpose settles over this school immediately upon arrival. Pupils cross the 23-acre campus between lessons with evident engagement. The Victorian buildings housing the original grammar school, constructed in the mid-nineteenth century when the school relocated from Ripon city centre, sit alongside modern teaching blocks completed in recent years. The newest additions include a purpose-built Humanities and Languages block (2015), a dedicated Music block with recording studio (2012), modern science laboratories, engineering suites, and art and drama studios reflecting the school's investment in creative subjects.

The sense of community proves unusually strong for a grammar school. Headmaster Jonathan Webb, appointed in 2017 after serving as deputy head at Durham School, has maintained the school's selective academic rigour whilst consciously broadening its definition of success. Leaders are ambitious for pupils both academically and for their wider personal development. The 2023 Ofsted inspection acknowledged this balance, noting that pupils rise to significant academic challenge, though also identifying that not all pupils receive identical levels of encouragement from all staff members. Personal development was rated Outstanding by Ofsted, suggesting the school successfully extends beyond pure academics.

The house system provides organisational and social structure. Four houses define school identity: Hutton House (named after Archbishop of Canterbury Matthew Hutton, an alumnus from 1701), Porteus House (named after Bishop Beilby Porteus, a 1744 pupil and slavery abolitionist), De Grey House (honouring Earl de Grey, a benefactor), and School House (originally for boarders, now accommodating mixed day and boarding pupils). In May 2025, School House was renamed Holland House in honour of England hockey player Barbara Holland. Inter-house competitions in sport, debating and singing remain traditional sources of pride.

The boarding community enhances the overall atmosphere. Two dedicated boarding houses accommodate students aged 11-18: School House for boys and Johnson House for girls, with an additional annexe for girls. Ofsted's May 2024 boarding inspection found boarders make excellent progress, describing the provision as "like one big family." Teachers from the school form part of the boarding team, supporting revision and homework, which boarders themselves identify as improving their academic achievement.

GCSE Performance

Ripon Grammar School's GCSE outcomes place it firmly among the strongest state schools in England. In 2024, 95% of grades achieved 9-4 (equivalent to the old A*-C boundary). The attainment 8 score of 69.1 significantly exceeds the England average. Progress 8 measures how much progress pupils make from their primary baseline to GCSE: the school's +0.72 score indicates pupils progress well above the England average from their starting points, a notable finding given the school's highly selective intake.

The school ranks 354th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it within the top 8% of schools. Locally, Ripon Grammar ranks 1st among the 87 secondary schools in its area, a position it has maintained consistently for years. With 54% achieving grades 9-7, the school outperforms the England average of approximately 31%, and 49% achieving grades 9-8 in English and Mathematics combined demonstrates particular strength in these foundations.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form deserves particular recognition. Sixth-form provision was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023, reflecting exceptional academic achievement allied with broader personal development. In 2024, 83% of A-level grades achieved A*-B, with 41% at A*/A. The school ranks 389th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 15%. With 26 A-level subjects available, including less common options such as Classical Greek and History of Art, the curriculum breadth exceeds many schools of comparable size.

Teachers across the school demonstrate strong subject knowledge. The 2023 Ofsted report specifically highlighted that "teachers have a strong understanding of their subject. They teach challenging content with skill." Assessment is used effectively to monitor pupil progress. Teachers employ questioning techniques that encourage considered responses drawing on subject-specific vocabulary, enabling pupils to think deeply about complex subject matter.

At Ripon Grammar School, the curriculum follows the national framework with notable enrichment. French begins in Year 7 and is taught by a specialist. Triple science (separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs) is the standard approach rather than double award, positioning pupils for more rigorous sixth-form study. Setting in mathematics commences in Year 4 for lower school and continues through upper school, ensuring appropriate challenge levels.

The Plus One Programme distinguishes sixth-form study. Beyond their three A-level choices, all students engage with an additional academic course alongside a broader enrichment programme encompassing leadership roles, charity work, volunteering, sport, music, drama and business enterprise. This explicit broadening prevents a narrow academic focus despite the school's selective character.

The 23-acre campus houses exceptional facilities. The sports complex underwent substantial investment with a new £1 million leading floodlit pitch opened by British Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan, featuring FIFA-compliant football pitches and World Rugby-compliant artificial surfaces. An indoor sports centre with six badminton court-size sports hall, climbing wall, dance studio, fitness suite and gymnasium complement extensive grass playing fields. Additional facilities include a cricket square, astroturf pitch, four tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool.

Academic facilities match sporting provision. Purpose-built science laboratories provide state-of-the-art teaching spaces. The engineering suite reflects the school's specialist engineering status (achieved circa 2007). Dedicated art and drama studios serve performing and visual arts. The music block completed in 2012 contains specialised rehearsal spaces, a fully equipped recording studio with latest technology and software for recording, arranging and composing, plus 15 dedicated Apple Macs for digital music production.

The Sixth Form Centre (opened 2009, expanded 2015) provides dedicated study areas: a laptop-equipped Learning Centre for silent work, a Study Room for more sociable environments, and the main library offering extensive resources. The humanities and languages block completed in 2015 replaced temporary huts with eight teaching rooms and staff offices connected directly to sixth form facilities.

University Destinations

In the 2024 leavers cohort, 56% of students progressed to university. Beyond this headline figure, academic rigour is evident through elite university placements. In 2024, four students secured Cambridge places and zero Oxford places from 44 combined applications. While only 9% gained Oxbridge offers, the absolute numbers reflect the school's strong academic pipeline. Many more progress to Russell Group universities and other selective institutions.

The sixth form occupies the top 5% of schools in England for progress students make in sixth form, indicating that even amongst already high-achieving peers, value is demonstrably added. Beyond university, 28% of leavers entered employment directly, 3% commenced apprenticeships, and 1% progressed to further education, demonstrating diverse post-16 pathways despite the school's academic positioning.

Careers Support

Careers provision is extensively planned. A dedicated careers library operates daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm during term time. External careers advisers provide independent guidance regarding post-16 options. A careers and higher education evening showcases opportunities with exhibitors from major national, regional and local companies and organisations. Work experience placements occur in lower sixth, coordinated by staff with expertise in business enterprise. Senior students benefit from defined leadership roles (Head Girl/Boy and other student officers), which develop skills attractive to selective universities.

Extracurricular provision extends substantially beyond the core curriculum. The school operates a breadth of clubs and societies spanning science, arts, humanities and sport.

Science and Technology

The Science and Engineering Society, founded in 2012 and run by students for all interested pupils, meets Friday lunchtimes and Wednesday sixth-form enrichment sessions. Elementals serves as the lower school science club, meeting Tuesday lunchtimes and attending competitions. Ripon Grammar School teams have earned high reputation in the Greenpower Challenge, a national competition requiring students to design, build and race a battery-powered car. Teams are supported by sponsors including Econ Engineering and Ripon Auto Electrics. The school's engineering specialism demonstrates through practical project-based learning.

Creative and Writing Pursuits

Wordsmiths creative writing club engages lower school pupils in creative writing activities and trips. A separate book group for third to fifth formers meets fortnightly to discuss chosen reads and participate in book-based activities. Sixth formers maintain their own reading group meeting weekly during enrichment time. These offerings reflect explicit investment in literacy beyond the curriculum.

Quiz and Academic Competition

Quiz competitions attract enthusiastic participants engaging in regional and national challenges alongside house quiz competitions. This competitive yet collaborative culture encourages intellectual engagement beyond examinations.

Environmental and Citizenship

A green initiative established by students aims to make Ripon Grammar School more environmentally sustainable. Students participate in environmental campaigning and charitable fundraising. Sixth formers lead Charity Week annually, where the entire school participates in fundraising for student-chosen charitable causes. Recent beneficiaries have included Saint Michael's Hospice in Harrogate, Surfers Against Sewage (raising £11,496 in 2019-20), Blueprint for All, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, War Child, Water Aid and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Lower school also participates in annual charity fundraising.

Music

The music department runs extensive groups catering for many styles and abilities: choirs, ensembles, big band, orchestra, brass band and jazz group. The school regularly enters local and national competitions such as the Harrogate Music Festival, National Festival of Music for Youth and Battle of the Bands. Many students participate in Cathedral Choirs, Tewit and Ripon Brass Band, County Youth Orchestras, and The National Youth Choir of Great Britain, indicating the calibre of musical engagement.

Sports and Physical Activity

Sports offerings span traditional team sports and individual pursuits. Girls enjoy hockey, netball, badminton, rock climbing, swimming (elite and improvers' clubs), tennis, rounders and athletics. Boys participate in rugby (with frequent fixtures through the White Rose Rugby Series at U/18, U/16, U/15, U/14 levels, cluster festivals, cup competitions and friendly matches, plus national competitions at U/18 and U/15 through the NatWest Cup and Yorkshire Cup), cricket (generating matches through local friendly competitions and Yorkshire Cups, Lords Taverners Cups), football (cup and friendly matches) and athletics (with regular trials and many qualifying for advanced competition). Girls' hockey and netball teams have recently won national titles, whilst rugby teams have been crowned Yorkshire champions. The school's reputation for sporting excellence extends to the wider community with the new floodlit pitch serving three local partner clubs.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

An active Duke of Edinburgh group operates at the school. As part of the award, students complete minimum three months' voluntary work. Many serve as leaders with local guides and scouts, support at local events (such as Park Run at Fountains Abbey), coach football with local teams, or volunteer in local charity shops.

Ripon Grammar School operates as a selective state school, requiring pupils to pass the 11+ entrance examination. Entry points occur at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 (sixth form), with in-year testing possible if vacancies arise. At Year 7, 117 places are available annually, of which 14 are reserved for boarders. A fixed percentage of places are allocated to those within the formal catchment area; remaining places go to those demonstrating the required standard who live outside catchment, selected by distance.

Entrance testing comprises two papers of verbal and non-verbal reasoning conducted by GL Assessment, assessed during early September of Year 6 for Year 7 entry. The school is heavily oversubscribed with approximately 2 applicants for every place available, making the entrance test genuinely selective.

Sixth form entry requires minimum Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSE and either six GCSEs at Grade 6 or 48 points in the best 8 GCSEs. Students normally choose three A-level options alongside the Plus One Programme, though exceptional circumstances may allow four options. All students engage in the Enrichment Programme. Approximately 50 external students join the sixth form annually alongside internal progression, with admission based strictly on academic achievement.

Boarding applications involve additional assessment. Prospective boarders must complete a Suitability for Boarding Form and attend online interviews. A £50 non-refundable registration fee is required, and successful boarding applicants must lodge a £1,750 refundable bond. Applications proceed through North Yorkshire County Council for Years 7-11 entry, whilst sixth form applications are made directly to the school.

The Ofsted inspection found pupils' behaviour around school and in classrooms to be "for the most part very good," reflecting strong relationships in the school community. Bullying is not identified as an issue; pupils are confident that staff deal effectively with the rare incidents that occur. The very large majority of pupils feel safe in school.

Form tutors serve as the first point of contact for pupil concerns. Teams of form tutors support heads of school and year groups. A Pastoral Support Officer works full-time, and the school employs a counsellor for three days weekly who also supports teachers with relevant techniques. The SENCO coordinates support for approximately 45 pupils on the SEN register. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, demonstrating commitment to SEN provision, though the 2023 inspection identified that application of SEND support strategies varies across lessons.

The Ofsted inspection noted that a very small minority of staff do not speak as encouragingly and kindly to some pupils as they should, resulting in a small number feeling less confident in their learning. This represents an identified area for improvement rather than a systemic issue. Leadership has committed to ensuring all staff speak appropriately to all pupils and take robust action where staff fall below expected standards.

The school day runs from 8:45am to 3:20pm. School buses depart at 4:05pm, with routes available throughout the region. Transport information is available from the school directly.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Boarding fees (where applicable) amount to approximately one-third of independent school boarding fees, representing exceptional value.

Selective entry is genuinely competitive. With 2 applicants for every available place and only 103 day places plus 14 boarding places annually at Year 7, securing entry involves passing a rigorous entrance examination. Families should understand that entrance examination preparation is common practice and that testing assesses genuine academic potential rather than curriculum knowledge.

Peer group adjustment at entry. Pupils entering Ripon Grammar have all been top performers in their primary schools. The transition to a cohort where all peers achieved similar success requires social and emotional adjustment alongside academic settling. Most pupils navigate this successfully, but some experience temporary confidence dips when realising they are no longer the automatic highest achievers.

Behaviour consistency varies with staff. Whilst behaviour is generally very good, Ofsted noted this is not uniformly applied, particularly when substitute teachers lead lessons. Some pupils experience inconsistent encouragement from a small minority of staff. This represents improvement areas rather than systemic failures, but families should be aware.

SEND support implementation varies. Teachers have access to SEND training and strategies, but application is inconsistent across classrooms. Pupils with additional needs may experience stronger support in some lessons than others. Families with children requiring SEND support should discuss specific strategies with the school and monitor implementation closely.

Ripon Grammar School exemplifies selective state education at its best. Consistently ranked among England's highest-performing state schools, with twelve consecutive years as The Sunday Times' top state school in the North, the school delivers genuine academic rigour alongside personal development. Staff demonstrate subject expertise and challenging teaching. Facilities are exceptional, particularly recent investments in sports, music and sixth-form provision. The boarding community adds distinctive value, with Ofsted's May 2024 inspection confirming excellent progress and positive relationships.

Yet this is not an easy school to access. Entry is genuinely selective. The peer group intensity requires confident learners willing to engage with genuine challenge. Families should approach admission as genuinely competitive and be prepared for the entrance examination process. For families who secure places within the tight catchment area and whose children thrive on academic challenge, Ripon Grammar School offers an outstanding education that positions students extremely strongly for selective universities and beyond.