Rishworth School, Sowerby Bridge
Rishworth School is an independent school for pupils aged 10 to 19 in Sowerby Bridge. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in January 2025.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Rishworth School in detail
Rishworth School in its own words
In its own words: "Rishworth has always thrived because of the enduring support and generosity of our community. There are many meaningful ways to give back, whether through time, expertise or financial support. Every contribution helps ensure that Rishworth continues to offer an inspiring and inclusive education for generations to come."
From the headteacher's welcome: "Nestled in 140 acres of picturesque Yorkshire countryside in the village of Rishworth, our school offers a secure and nurturing environment that young people need when they are away from home whilst still in reach of the vibrant cities of Manchester and Leeds."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics, badminton, swimming and drama.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Rishworth School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Rishworth School are The Gleddings School (4.3 miles); and Beacon Lights Schools (5.1 miles, Good).
Where pupils go next
Of the 27 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 70% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 4% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 96 pupils (26.6%) received SEN support and 9 (2.5%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Sowerby Bridge Rail Station, about 3.5 miles away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Slitheroe Bridge, 250 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 14 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Calderdale (102).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
14 January 2025
Regulatory Compliance
13 October 2021
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
14 November 2017
Intermediate (Boarding)
28 January 2014
Standard
1 January 2011
About
Rishworth School is a co-educational private school in the village of Rishworth, near Halifax, in West Yorkshire, England. With Heathfield, its junior school from the ages of 3 to 11, it provides education for pupils aged between 3 and 18 years, with boarding from the age of 11.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fees for 2026/27
Day fees, per year
£18,645 to £19,995
depending on year group
Boarding fees, per year
£42,705 to £44,490
| YEAR 7 - YEAR 8 (Termly) (Annual) | £18,645 a year |
| YEAR 9 - YEAR 13 (Termly) (Annual) | £19,995 a year |
| YEAR 7 - YEAR 8 (Termly) (Annual) (boarding) | £42,705 a year |
| YEAR 9 - YEAR 13 (Termly) (Annual) (boarding) | £44,490 a year |
Including VAT. From the school's own fee schedule; check with the school before you rely on it.
Private school fees in West Yorkshire - 6 schools' published fees side by side
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Rishworth School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 4 nearby all-through schools
Keep up with Rishworth School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Rishworth School.
- St John's Out of School Club (Rishworth)650m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 6
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 6 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 5 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Calderdale is 12 (the median across 114 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
72%
Available places
361 pupils
500 places
139 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Sowerby Bridge
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Sowerby Bridge
Across Calderdale council
Places available
2,994
Applications
2,231
Got 1st preference
91.2%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All secondary applications across Calderdale council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
96
SEN Support
9
EHC Plans
29.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
361
Total Pupils
193
Boys
168
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Rishworth School
What are GCSE results like at Rishworth School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Rishworth School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was Rishworth School last inspected?
Rishworth School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in January 2025.
How many pupils go to Rishworth School?
Rishworth School has around 361 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Rishworth School?
Rishworth School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Does Rishworth School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club within a kilometre of Rishworth School: St John's Out of School Club (Rishworth) (650m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Rishworth School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 6 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 5 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Calderdale is 12 (the median across 114 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Rishworth School?
Rishworth School is at Oldham Road, Rishworth, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 4QA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)