Boroughbridge High School Review 2026: A Community School Navigating Change

Boroughbridge High School serves a semi-rural community in North Yorkshire, positioned between the historic city of York and the market town of Harrogate. As a small secondary school with a capacity of 763, it offers an environment where staff maintain a personal knowledge of the approximately 438 students currently on roll. The school is federated with King James’s School in Knaresborough, a partnership that brings shared leadership and resources across the two sites.

Current data shows a school in a period of active transition. While it has faced challenges in recent years, particularly regarding academic progress scores and consistency in behaviour, the school remains a central pillar of the Boroughbridge locality. It is led by Headteacher Kathryn Stephenson, who has been in post since January 2021.

The school occupies a site on the edge of the town, characterized by its open green spaces and a mix of original mid-century buildings and more modern additions. The atmosphere is that of a typical North Yorkshire community school; there is a sense of familiarity among students that is often lost in much larger urban secondaries.

The school's belief in "Aspiration for all" is visible across the site and informs the daily routines. Students are at the heart of decision making, with leadership opportunities provided through the School Council, student interview panels, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

While the school has faced a Requires Improvement rating from its most recent full inspection, the current atmosphere is focused on an upward trajectory. Leaders have worked to ensure that the small school feel is used as a strength, fostering a culture where students feel safe and supported. Recent initiatives, such as the Forest School program, have been introduced to develop student resilience and communication skills.

Performance metrics for Boroughbridge High School reflect the challenges the school has faced in the post-pandemic period. In the 2024 validated GCSE results, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 40, which sits slightly below the England average. The Progress 8 score, a measure of how much progress students make between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, was -0.48, indicating that students here make less progress than those with similar starting points elsewhere in England.

The school ranks 3,139th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 21st among schools in the York local area. This performance places the school in the lower tier of schools in England (68th percentile). However, 58.4% of students achieved a Grade 4 or above in both English and Mathematics, with 31.5% reaching Grade 5 or above. The percentage of students achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was 28.1%.

The curriculum at Boroughbridge High School is designed to be inclusive, offering a three year Key Stage 3 and a "Stage not Age" curriculum for GCSE. One of the school's strengths is its relatively small class sizes, which allows for more individual attention than might be found in larger schools.

The school has recently worked with the DfE Behaviour and Attendance Hub to address Ofsted priorities, reporting rapid progress in these areas. Teachers utilize structured lesson formats, and recent internal reviews highlight that curriculums are well thought out and sequenced.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning through the use of digital platforms, which were expanded during the federation transition. Forest School has also become a key part of the curriculum for younger years, helping to build practical skills alongside academic study.

Where Students Go Next

As Boroughbridge High School does not have its own sixth form, students transition at the end of Year 11. The school has developed strong links with local post-16 providers to ensure a smooth transition.

In 2024, 93% of students moved on to sustained education, training, or employment. A significant proportion of students choose to attend the sixth form at the federated King James’s School in Knaresborough. Others choose Harrogate College or York College for technical and vocational pathways. Recent leavers have secured places at prestigious institutions such as the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Leeds.

Boroughbridge High School is a state-funded community school, and admissions are coordinated by North Yorkshire Council. For the 2024 entry year, the school was oversubscribed at the application stage, with a subscription proportion of 2.82 applications for every place offered.

The school primarily serves Boroughbridge and surrounding villages. The deadline for Year 7 applications for 2026 entry is 31 October 2025, with National Offer Day occurring on 2 March 2026. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical intake patterns.

Pastoral care is a significant focus for the school. The school operates a Year Group system, with Kathryn Stephenson supported by a dedicated pastoral team. Each year group has a specific Pastoral Manager, such as the dedicated manager for Year 7, who serves as the first point of contact for student concerns.

The school's commitment to student wellbeing is evident in the "Headteacher's Blog," which frequently celebrates student resilience and community spirit. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is particularly popular, helping students develop confidence outside of the traditional classroom setting.

Despite its smaller size, the school maintains a diverse extracurricular calendar. Sport is a significant part of the culture, with students frequently participating in the Small Schools' Cup and various local fixtures. The school fields teams in football, netball, and athletics, utilizing the extensive outdoor space available on site.

Specific clubs found in the current provision include creative writing competitions, the Woodland Trust Green Tree Award Group, and various STEM-focused activities. The school's Forest School fundamentals include species identification, knot tying, and shelter construction. The English Department recently organized a competition where students designed book covers and wrote short stories for the Iridescent Adolescent anthology.

The school day begins at 8:45 am and concludes at 3:15 pm. Transport is a key consideration given the school's semi-rural catchment; many students arrive via local authority-contracted buses from the outlying villages.

There is a well-established school canteen providing hot meals, and the school uses a cashless catering system. Parents seeking information on school uniform or specific equipment requirements can find detailed guides on the school website.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded community school, Boroughbridge High School does not charge tuition fees. It is funded directly by the local authority and the Department for Education.

For families requiring financial assistance, the school provides support through the Pupil Premium fund. This is used to ensure that students from lower-income backgrounds can access all areas of the curriculum, including trips, uniforms, and extracurricular equipment. Families should contact the school office to discuss eligibility for Free School Meals and associated support.

• Improvement Trajectory: The school is currently rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted. While the federation has introduced many changes, the impact on GCSE progress scores is still being realized. Families should look for the most recent monitoring reports to gauge current progress.
• No Sixth Form: The move at age 16 is mandatory. While the federation with King James’s provides a clear pathway, students must be prepared for a change of environment after Year 11.
• Behaviour Consistency: The latest inspection noted that behaviour is variable, with some lessons disrupted by poor behaviour. However, the school reports rapid progress in addressing these issues through its partnership with the DfE Behaviour Hub.
• Rural Transport: Families living outside the immediate Boroughbridge town area are reliant on school bus services. This can limit participation in some after-school clubs if private transport is not available.

Boroughbridge High School is a school with a strong community heart that is working hard to elevate its academic standards. It offers a smaller, more personal alternative to the sprawling secondaries in York and Harrogate, which may suit students who would feel overwhelmed in a larger setting. It is best suited to local families who value a supportive pastoral environment and are comfortable with a school that is currently in a phase of intensive academic development.