Trinity Academy Grammar Review 2026: Rising Standards in Sowerby Bridge

Rising from the valley of the River Calder, Trinity Academy Grammar has undergone a significant transformation since joining the Trinity Multi Academy Trust in 2018. Formerly Sowerby Bridge High School, the institution now presents a picture of academic ambition and disciplined structure. The school serves a diverse community in West Yorkshire, providing 1,050 places for students aged 11 to 16. In 2024, its academic outcomes placed it as the top performing school in Sowerby Bridge for GCSE results, reflecting a successful shift in culture and expectations.

The atmosphere at Trinity Academy Grammar is defined by what the leadership describes as the Trinity Way. This involves a highly structured environment where routines are clear and expectations for behaviour are absolute. At the start of the day, the arrival of students is orderly, overseen by staff who ensure that uniform standards are met before students enter the building. The physical environment has benefited from investment, with clean, modernised corridors and classrooms that provide a focused setting for study.

Ms Elizabeth Fairhurst serves as the Principal, having taken over leadership in September 2024 to continue the academy's upward trajectory. Under her guidance, the school maintains a calm, purposeful environment. The latest Ofsted inspection, which rated the school as Good, noted that leaders have brought about significant and sustained change. The school motto, Embrace Opportunity, Expect Excellence, is visible throughout the site and is reflected in the rising aspirations of the student body.

The 2024 results tell a story of consistent improvement. Trinity Academy Grammar ranks 1,528th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the 1st position among schools in Sowerby Bridge. This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), representing a solid achievement for a school with a historically comprehensive intake.

The Progress 8 score of +0.38 is particularly significant; it indicates that students here make nearly half a grade more progress across their subjects than similar students in other schools in England. The Attainment 8 score of 44.5 and the EBacc average point score of 4.23 both sit above local averages. These metrics suggest that the school focus on a traditional, rigorous curriculum is yielding tangible benefits for its students.

Teaching at the academy follows a highly consistent model designed to maximise learning time. Lessons typically begin with "Do Now" activities that retrieve prior knowledge, followed by expert explanation and independent practice. This structured approach helps students manage their cognitive load and ensures that even the most complex topics are broken down into manageable steps.

The curriculum is weighted toward the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, including separate sciences, history, geography, and modern foreign languages. In 2024, 28.4% of students achieved grade 5 or above in the EBacc, reflecting the school commitment to providing a strong academic foundation. Specialised facilities for design technology and art allow for creative expression alongside this core academic focus, ensuring that the curriculum remains broad despite the emphasis on traditional subjects.

Extracurricular life is organised through the "Involve" programme, which encourages students to develop interests beyond their academic studies. The school offers a range of clubs including the Debate Club, Robotics, and various musical ensembles. Sports are a major pillar of school life, with students utilizing the on-site sports hall and outdoor pitches for football, netball, and athletics.

A unique feature is the "Trinity Challenge," a series of personal development goals that students work toward throughout their five years. This includes community service, outdoor adventures, and leadership roles. The academy also runs a successful Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, which fosters resilience and teamwork through expeditions in the nearby Pennine hills.

Pastoral support is organized through a vertical house system, which creates smaller communities within the larger school. This ensures that every student is known well by at least one member of staff. The academy employs a dedicated team of non-teaching pastoral leads who are available throughout the day to support students with emotional or social challenges.

Behaviour is managed through a clear system of rewards and sanctions. The "ClassCharts" system allows parents to track their child’s achievements and behaviour in real-time. This transparency supports a strong partnership between home and school, ensuring that expectations are reinforced consistently.

Trinity Academy Grammar is a popular choice and is currently oversubscribed. For the 2026 entry, the school requires a Fair Banding Assessment. The registration for this assessment typically opens in July and closes in late September. For the 2026 intake, the Fair Banding Assessment took place on Saturday 11 October 2025.

Admissions are coordinated by Calderdale Local Authority. While the school does not have a formal catchment boundary, places are allocated based on a fair banding system that ensures an intake across the full ability range. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Where Students Go Next

As the school caters for students up to age 16, the focus in Year 11 is on securing high-quality post-16 placements. Many students progress to local sixth form colleges such as Trinity Sixth Form Academy in Halifax or Crossley Heath School for those pursuing highly academic pathways.

The school provides robust careers guidance, meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks for excellence in careers education. This includes mock interviews with local employers and visits to Russell Group universities. For students interested in vocational routes, there are strong links with local further education colleges and apprenticeship providers in the West Yorkshire area.

The school day begins at 8:20am and concludes at 2:45pm, though many students stay later for "Involve" clubs or supervised study sessions. The school is located on Albert Road, with good pedestrian access for local residents. For those travelling from further afield, several local bus routes serve Sowerby Bridge, and the school is a ten-minute walk from Sowerby Bridge railway station. Parking on-site is limited, and parents are encouraged to use designated drop-off points to manage traffic in the residential area.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state-funded academy; there are no tuition fees for students. Families should budget for standard costs such as uniform, school meals, and optional trips. Financial support is available via the Pupil Premium for eligible students, which can assist with the cost of uniform and educational visits. Parents are encouraged to contact the school office to discuss eligibility for the 16-19 Bursary Fund if they are looking toward post-16 progression within the Trinity Trust.

• Highly Disciplined Environment: The school operates with very strict rules regarding uniform, equipment, and silence in corridors. While this creates a focused atmosphere, it may feel overly rigid for students who prefer a more relaxed or informal setting.
• Fair Banding Requirement: Missing the Fair Banding Assessment deadline can significantly decrease the chances of being offered a place, as non-banded applicants are considered only after those who sat the assessment.
• Academic Pressure: The focus on Progress 8 and EBacc subjects means the workload is demanding. Students are expected to engage in regular independent study and revision from Year 7 onwards.

Trinity Academy Grammar has successfully reinvented itself as a center of academic excellence in Calderdale. By combining a rigorous "Trinity Way" discipline with high-quality teaching, it has become the top performing school in its immediate area. It is best suited to students who thrive in structured environments and families who value traditional academic standards. Those interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist.