Outwood Academy Easingwold: A Remarkable Transformation in North Yorkshire

For over two centuries, the site at Easingwold has served as a schoolhouse, beginning with Eleanor Westerman's charitable bequest in 1784. Yet the school's most inspiring chapter is its most recent. When Outwood Grange Academies Trust took over in 2018, the academy was in special measures following an Inadequate rating. Today, it stands Outstanding across all categories. This is a school that has fundamentally transformed itself in just four years, moving from crisis to excellence whilst maintaining genuine pastoral warmth.

The school serves 738 students aged 11 to 18 from Easingwold and the surrounding North Yorkshire villages. It is a mixed comprehensive operating as a state academy with no tuition fees. Results place the academy firmly in the upper tier nationally: GCSE performance ranks 850th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% nationally. At A-level, the sixth form ranks 609th in England (FindMySchool ranking), similarly positioning it well above average. The broader picture matters equally. This is not merely an examination factory; it is a school where students develop character, confidence and genuine engagement with learning.

Walk through the gates and you encounter an environment built deliberately around high expectations paired with obvious care. Staff at all levels maintain a visible commitment to student wellbeing. The main campus blends heritage with modernity. The original Victorian buildings share space with the newer Europa Block (added 1994 for languages), the mathematics block, science block and a dedicated sixth form block. Beyond the main building, the 3G sports pitch and modern sports hall stand testament to serious investment in student opportunity.

The school's transformation since joining the Outwood trust tells its own story. Emma Taylor became principal in January 2023, following Laura Eddery's tenure. Under this leadership, the academy has consolidated gains whilst pushing further. Teachers here speak of being considered a "family" by leadership, a striking claim in a school of this size but one reflected in staff surveys from the inspection. The workload during rapid improvement has been acknowledged and managed thoughtfully.

The ethos combines academic rigour with genuine inclusivity. The school holds the IQM Inclusive Schools Award, recognising commitment to inclusion across the organisation. Pupils with SEND are supported by dedicated adults and are expected to achieve highly. Parents describe the staff as "fantastic" in their commitment to vulnerable students and those with additional needs. The house system creates belonging; six houses each named after historical figures foster a sense of community. Bullying is reported as rare and tackled decisively when it occurs. Most pupils behave well; those adjusting after the pandemic receive targeted support rather than stigma.

Reading permeates the culture. The school has created an exceptionally strong reading culture with a wide range of novel choices selected to broaden horizons. Sixth-form students serve as reading buddies to younger pupils who need additional support. Well-being is explicitly prioritised. The "Well-being Wednesday" programme teaches pupils strategies to manage mental health, and independent "Life" lessons cover topics from diversity to modern citizenship. Mental health provision is comprehensive, a response to the pandemic's impact that parents clearly appreciate.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, an attainment 8 score of 51.8 reflects solid achievement. This measures a pupil's average grade across eight qualifications. The England average sits at 45.9, placing Outwood's performance above the national benchmark by a meaningful margin. The Progress 8 score of +0.55 indicates pupils make well-above-average progress from their starting points compared to their peers nationally.

The school ranks 850th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools nationally. Locally in York, it ranks 8th among secondary schools. These are solid credentials. At higher levels, 19% of grades achieved 9-8 (the top tier), with a further 16% achieving grade 7. Overall, 34% of grades sat at 9-7, the grades most universities prioritise. English Baccalaureate take-up is notably high, indicating ambitious breadth; 31% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above across EBacc qualifications.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results demonstrate that academic quality translates across phases. A-level students continue the trajectory. The A*-B percentage stands at 61%, well above the England average of 47%. This is particularly noteworthy for a sixth form drawing from a diverse local population rather than a highly selective intake.

The sixth form ranks 609th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% nationally for A-level outcomes. Small class sizes enable substantial teacher attention. The sixth form itself earned an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

University Outcomes

In the 2023-24 cohort, 65% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 3% entering further education and 3% beginning apprenticeships. The remaining 25% entered employment. One student secured a place at Cambridge; no students entered Oxford in this cohort, though the school works actively with the Crown Prosecution Service to develop awareness of degree apprenticeships and alternative pathways.

The curriculum framework is deliberately ambitious. The school describes four interlocking curricula: "intrinsic" (pastoral and character development), "academic" (core knowledge), "enhancement" (beyond the classroom learning), and "elective" (student choice). This structure ensures pupils receive both rigorous preparation and broader development.

Two modern foreign languages are mandatory to Key Stage 3, expanding horizons beyond a single language. Subject teaching is knowledge-focused with consistent recap and recall activities ensuring new learning builds on secure foundations. Teachers skilfully identify gaps and close them quickly. Pupils can explain their learning clearly, and sixth-form students demonstrate notable articulation and insight when discussing their studies.

In English, reading is prioritised through structured lessons and voluntary competitions. Geography, mathematics and modern languages receive particular attention to ensure progression and depth. Music features in curriculum planning, and the school has invested in music provision. For pupils with SEND, specialist support from trained adults enables access to the mainstream curriculum whilst developing independence.

The emphasis on knowledge is important. This is not a school that assumes pupils learn by osmosis; instead, it deliberately builds understanding layer by layer.

The enrichment provision is substantial. The school offers sporting, performance, craft, social and academic opportunities. Students can join the debating club, photography club, languages group, and school newspaper. A bee garden created and led by sixth-form students combines environmental stewardship with hands-on learning. Student engagement programmes encourage participation in the Honours scheme, sustainability initiatives, and anti-bullying and mental wellbeing ambassador roles.

Sports

The 3G sports pitch and modern sports hall provide excellent facilities. Games include football, netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton and tennis. The facilities are also hired by the local community, underscoring their quality. Regular sporting competitions engage students at academy, local, trust and national levels.

Drama and Music

The school operates a vibrant programme of performances and creative expression. Music appears as both an examined subject and a performance activity, though specific named ensembles or concert schedule details are not publicly detailed. Drama productions feature across the school year, engaging pupils of varying interest levels.

Academic Extension

The school deliberately challenges higher-attaining pupils. Academic scholars meet weekly for extension seminars. Competitions and prizes encourage excellence. The Career of the Week programme begins before pupils arrive in Year 7, continuing through tutor time and subject lessons. Sixth-form students work with a wide range of external bodies including universities, employers and professional services.

Trips, Visits and Community

Extended learning includes trips, visits, events, commemorations and structured charity work. Year groups experience residential visits and experiential learning linked to their curriculum. Pupils undertake voluntary work with the National Citizenship Service, embedding service into their development.

Applications follow the standard co-ordinated admissions process managed by North Yorkshire County Council. The school was oversubscribed at the primary entry point to secondary, with 213 applications for 157 places. For in-year admissions, contact the Local Authority.

The school is popular locally, reflecting its current trajectory. Secondary applications data is not published separately, though the steady interest is evident.

For sixth form entry, students typically progress internally or apply externally. A-level courses are offered across a broad range of subjects. The sixth form environment is deliberately supportive, with tutor systems and personalised guidance. Entry requirements reflect the academic level of the courses offered.

The infrastructure of care is comprehensive. Each class operates within a tutor group system, building relationships with tutors who understand individual pupils well. The SEND coordinator leads a dedicated team supporting students with identified needs. Sixth-form students act as mentors to younger pupils who need extra support, creating responsibility and reciprocity.

Mental health support includes a trained counsellor visiting weekly, alongside teacher-delivered strategies and pastoral staff. The "Life" curriculum explicitly covers topics that prepare pupils for modern citizenship: diversity, relationships, health, respect. Parents praise staff commitment particularly to vulnerable pupils and those experiencing additional challenges.

Bullying is tackled decisively. Any incidents are reported and addressed immediately. The majority of pupils report feeling safe in school and confident that adults will help them.

The school operates from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The site is located on York Road, Easingwold, YO61 3EF. Parking and drop-off arrangements are available on campus. As a market town location, the school is accessible for families across North Yorkshire. Holiday clubs operate during school holidays, supporting working families.

The school has invested significantly in facilities over recent years, including the modern sports hall and 3G pitch (2020). These are available for community hire, allowing the school to serve the broader Easingwold neighbourhood.

Behaviour support has been significant. The school has implemented robust systems to support pupils who found returning post-pandemic challenging. These are clearly working; behaviour is rated Good and improving. However, some pupils still require more attention than others, and this targeted approach may not suit families expecting passive acceptance from the institution.

Leadership change is recent. Emma Taylor arrived as principal in January 2023, following Laura Eddery. Whilst continuity is strong and the trust provides executive oversight, relatively new leadership may merit monitoring over the next 12–24 months to ensure gains are embedded.

The sixth form is small. With approximately 150-170 students across Years 12–13, it offers close community and pastoral attention. This suits some students beautifully but may feel less robust for pupils seeking larger cohorts or wider subject choice.

Rising from special measures is extraordinary, but sustainability matters. The transformation from Inadequate to Outstanding in a single inspection cycle is genuinely impressive and speaks to the trust's intervention and staff commitment. Families should verify that this improvement is embedded in daily practice and not driven solely by compliance activity.

This is a school in the ascendant. The transformation from special measures to Outstanding across all categories reflects genuine, urgent commitment from leadership and staff. Results are solid and trending upward. The pastoral environment is warm and inclusivity is active rather than tokenistic. The sixth form is strong and offers good preparation for university or apprenticeships.

The school suits families seeking academic rigour paired with genuine care, particularly those valuing pastoral support and character development alongside examination results. The location in a market town appeals to those preferring a smaller, integrated community feel. It is less suited to families seeking either a highly selective environment or one indifferent to pastoral elements.

The key question for any visitor should be: Is this visible excellence embedded, or is it newly achieved and potentially fragile? Families should visit, observe lessons, and speak with current pupils. The evidence suggests substance, not facade. But schools on rapid improvement trajectories deserve closer scrutiny to confirm that the gains are genuine and sustainable.