Ofsted: Expected standard trending_up Places Available emoji_events #31 in North Yorkshire public Top 40% UK

Thirsk School & Sixth Form College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Miss Emma Lambden (Headteacher)

location_onThirsk, YO7 1RZ

language Visit Website phone 01845522024

verified

Ofsted

Expected standard

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

986

trending_up

Attainment 8

38.4

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GCSE Rank

#40 in North Yorkshire

#3,127 of 4,024 nationally

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Thirsk School & Sixth Form College is a Community school secondary school in Thirsk, serving ages 11-18. Assessed at Expected standard by Ofsted on its latest Report Card inspection.

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School Summary

Thirsk School & Sixth Form College is a community school in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,029 pupils on roll, of whom 22% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 38.4, placing the school #40 in North Yorkshire and #3,127 of 4,024 nationally. 23.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects. 34.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 14.2% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 24% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #549 nationally), out of 52.7% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: -0.05 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Expected standard. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Expected standard, behaviour and attitudes Expected standard, personal development Expected standard, and leadership and management Expected standard.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 9.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

38.4

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

23.40%

Grade 4+ E&M

47.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.2%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)42.00%

Triple Science Entry20.20%

EBacc Slot Score11.2 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

43.5

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

38.80%

Grade 4+ E&M

58.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.5%

Entering EBacc45.50%

EBacc APS3.93

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.6

Grade 5+ E&M

35.90%

Entering EBacc35.90%

EBacc APS3.84

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS3.71

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS3.98

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS4.36

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc36%

EBacc APS4.14

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

93.8%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81.5%

Apprenticeships9.7%

Employment2.6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4.1%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships12%

Employment11%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships11%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.2%

Achieving A*–A14.2%

Achieving A*–B34.5%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate92.3%

A-level subjects offered20

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate96.10%

Post-18 Destinations 89.1% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 52.7%

handshake Apprenticeships 0%

work Employment 32.7%

Not sustained / NEET7.3%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate85.50%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)90% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 52%

stars Top-Third Universities 24%

handshake Apprenticeships 8%

work Employment 30%

Not sustained / NEET8%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate92.9%

Post-18 Destinations 81.1% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 49.1%

handshake Apprenticeships 1.9%

work Employment 20.8%

Not sustained / NEET15.1%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#2,626 / 4,024	#31	#3,127	#1	—	#549	#1,575
2025	#1,854 / 3,948	#26	#2,278	#1	#1,328	#549	#1,575
2024	#1,774 / 4,450	#25	#2,215	#1,724	#1,373	#549	#1,575
2023	#1,908 / 4,321	#25	#2,457	#1,393	—	—	#1,485
2022	#1,713 / 4,199	#24	#2,145	#1,854	—	—	#1,751
2019	#1,163 / 2,711	#16	#1,263	#1,207	—	—	—
2018	#1,123 / 2,537	#12	#1,273	#1,058	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

24 March 2026

Inspection Report

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02 February 2022

Inspection Report

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28 March 2017

Inspection Report

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20 September 2012

Inspection Report

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07 January 2011

Inspection Report

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16 September 2010

Inspection Report

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28 April 2009

Inspection Report

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16 January 2008

Inspection Report

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06 March 2007

Inspection Report

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31 January 2005

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2026-03-24

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Expected standard

Achievement

Expected standard

Attendance & Behaviour

Expected standard

Personal Development

Expected standard

Inclusion

Expected standard

Leadership & Governance

Expected standard

Post-16 Provision

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2017-03-28

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

2012-09-20

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

9.8%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.1%(42 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,014 pupils. During this period, there were 99 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 9.8%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,014	99	9.8%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,008	89	8.8%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,013	78	7.7%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,016	70	6.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,025	128	12.5%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	987	116	11.8%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	986	118	12.0%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	993	70	7.0%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	940	72	7.7%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	944	53	5.6%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	941	28	3.0%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	923	68	7.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	927	24	2.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	934	59	6.3%	3.9%	3
2019/20 (Summer term)	910	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	910	65	7.1%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	918	77	8.4%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	888	45	5.1%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	895	72	8.0%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	899	54	6.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	910	60	6.6%	3.4%	2
2017/18 (Spring term)	915	48	5.2%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	920	64	7.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	903	18	2.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	902	29	3.2%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	903	15	1.7%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 48 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 45 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 37 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 33 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 21 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

52%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

64%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

68%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree12%

agree19%

disagree24%

strongly disagree24%

not applicable67%

Neither agree nor disagree21%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree12%

agree33%

disagree19%

strongly disagree13%

don't know2%

Neither agree nor disagree22%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree20%

agree30%

Neither agree nor disagree26%

disagree14%

strongly disagree7%

Don't know2%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree20%

agree32%

Neither agree nor disagree15%

disagree22%

strongly disagree10%

Don't know1%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree20%

agree34%

disagree18%

strongly disagree13%

don't know1%

Neither agree nor disagree14%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

strongly agree23%

agree27%

disagree19%

strongly disagree12%

not applicable7%

Neither agree nor disagree11%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes33%

no67%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree10%

agree34%

disagree17%

strongly disagree16%

Neither agree nor disagree22%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes64%

no36%

Top Secondary Schools in North Yorkshire

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Ripon Grammar School

Good

location_on Ripon, HG4 2DG

emoji_events #1 in LA

Skipton Girls' High School

Good

location_on Skipton, BD23 1QL

emoji_events #2 in LA

Ermysted's Grammar School

Good

location_on Skipton, BD23 1PL

emoji_events #3 in LA

St Aidan's Church of England High School

Expected standard

location_on Harrogate, HG2 8JR

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Francis Xavier School - a Joint Catholic and Church of England Voluntary Academy

Outstanding

location_on Richmond, DL10 7DA

emoji_events #5 in LA

Harrogate Grammar School

Expected standard

location_on Harrogate, HG2 0DZ

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in North Yorkshire arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in North Yorkshire

Ripon Grammar School

Skipton Girls' High School

Ermysted's Grammar School

St Aidan's Church of England High School

St Francis Xavier School - a Joint Catholic and Church of England Voluntary Academy

Harrogate Grammar School