Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #16 in North Yorkshire public Top 19% UK

Upper Wharfedale School

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

personMr Ian Chapman

location_onSkipton, BD23 5BS

language Visit Website phone 1756752215

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2019

groups

Students

356

trending_up

Attainment 8

48.3

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#15 in North Yorkshire

#1,171 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Upper Wharfedale School is a Community school secondary school in Skipton, serving ages 11-16. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Upper Wharfedale School is a community school in Skipton, North Yorkshire, admitting pupils aged 11-16. The school has approximately 363 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.3, placing the school #15 in North Yorkshire and #1,171 of 3,216 nationally. 61.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 13.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.7 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)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

48.3

Grade 5+ E&M

61.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)13.2%

Entering EBacc14.30%

EBacc APS4.03

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.6

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24.60%

EBacc APS3.89

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.55

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.56

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.55

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS4.3

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.78

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14%

EBacc APS4.04

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.61

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9%

EBacc APS3.37

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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.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships12%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships7%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships11%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

03 December 2024

Inspection Report

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05 June 2019

Inspection Report

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15 May 2018

Inspection Report

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08 October 2014

Inspection Report

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15 January 2013

Inspection Report

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02 December 2009

Inspection Report

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25 September 2006

Inspection Report

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26 March 2001

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2019-06-05

S5 Inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2018-05-15

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-10-08

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

0.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.6%(2 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 363 pupils. During this period, there were 2 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.6%, which is below 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)	363	2	0.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	360	3	0.8%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	367	8	2.2%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	364	4	1.1%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	366	5	1.4%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	358	7	2.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	356	6	1.7%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	356	5	1.4%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	346	4	1.2%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	346	3	0.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	349	2	0.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	336	2	0.6%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	331	0	0.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	329	2	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	314	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	314	4	1.3%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	308	8	2.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	299	1	0.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	296	3	1.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	296	2	0.7%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	284	4	1.4%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	291	5	1.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	295	5	1.7%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	289	6	2.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	290	4	1.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	287	4	1.4%	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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psychology_alt

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.

Speech, Language & Communication 11 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 9 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 5 pupils

Physical 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.

My child is happy at this school.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

94.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

27.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree63%

agree31%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree45%

agree45%

disagree9%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree51%

agree18%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

not applicable23%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes24%

no76%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree48%

agree19%

disagree19%

strongly disagree10%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree60%

agree32%

disagree5%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree61%

agree33%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree61%

agree28%

disagree8%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree53%

agree44%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree64%

agree33%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree68%

agree22%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

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

Harrogate Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Harrogate, HG2 0DZ

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Aidan's Church of England High School

Good

location_on Harrogate, HG2 8JR

emoji_events #5 in LA

St John Fisher Catholic Academy

Good

location_on Harrogate, HG2 8PT

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)

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

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

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 special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would 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

Harrogate Grammar School

St Aidan's Church of England High School

St John Fisher Catholic Academy