South Craven School, Keighley

In its own words: "As a school we recognise our responsibility to provide young people with the skills and qualities they need to respond to the challenges of a fast-changing world. As a comprehensive school we believe in equal value and ensuring all students, regardless of ability or background, have the best opportunities to achieve their potential."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to welcome you to South Craven School, a large, thriving and successful comprehensive school situated in Cross Hills. Learning is placed firmly at the heart of the South Craven School community. Our main priority is to ensure our students have the best opportunities for success and the highest possible aspirations for the future."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include STEM, debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at South Craven School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.2 in North Yorkshire and 47 across England.

41% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in North Yorkshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 47.5.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.2: 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 37.4, against 48.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and History.

For September 2026 entry, 301 families put South Craven School as their first choice and 599 named it as one of their preferences, for 266 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 39 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to South Craven School are Carlton Keighley (3.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.4); The Holy Family Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy (3.3 miles, Attainment 8 31.7); Beckfoot Oakbank (4 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 37.7); and Ermysted's Grammar School (4.6 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 64.3).

South Craven School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

South Craven School is one of 5 schools run by Apex Collaborative Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 296 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 82% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 36% to a further education college, 9% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 211 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 48% went on to university or other higher education, 15% to apprenticeships and 19% into work. 6% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

2.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Asian (7%).

In 2026, 183 pupils (9.5%) received SEN support and 54 (2.8%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Cononley Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is South Craven School (s-bound), 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood South Craven School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 47 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and drug offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in North Yorkshire (9), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, South Craven School issued 116 suspensions, 6.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to South Craven School are Sutton CofE Primary and Nursery School (0.3 miles), Glusburn Community Primary School (0.4 miles), Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School (0.5 miles) and Eastburn Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.