Ryedale School, York

In its own words: "All members of the Ryedale School team are committed to realising the school’s vision and we have adopted the Ryedale Values to help guide us in our approach to life and learning. The Ryedale Values of Honesty, Kindness and Respect are woven into the fabric of our community and exemplified by all."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Ryedale School is committed to combining the very best educational provision with high expectations and traditional values. In doing so we challenge and support students both to fulfil their academic potential and become exemplary young people of whom we can all be proud. This unites us in our commitment to ‘ Aspire and Achieve’ . Welcome to Ryedale School."

In 2026, pupils at Ryedale School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 53.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.2 in North Yorkshire and 47 across England.

64% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in North Yorkshire and 47% in England.

That is up from 51.7 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.32: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 44, against 55.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Design and Technology.

For September 2026 entry, 131 families put Ryedale School as their first choice and 236 named it as one of their preferences, for 135 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Ryedale School is one of 11 schools run by Areté Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.2 in 2024/25.

Of the 143 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 78% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 41% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

16.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 51 pupils (7.3%) received SEN support and 18 (2.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ryedale School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ryedale Sch (adjacent), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Yorkshire (9).

In 2024/25, Ryedale School issued 94 suspensions, 13.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.