Stokesley School, Stokesley

In its own words: ""Being the best we can be" is our motto and the vision for all here at Stokesley School. In pursuit of that vision we strive to create a vibrant learning community where every student thrives academically, personally, and socially. Academic Excellence: Equipping students with a strong foundation in knowledge and critical thinking skills,preparing them to excel in their chosen paths."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Stokesley School and Sixth Form College is an 11-18 comprehensive school which is at the heart of the market town of Stokesley. Stokesley School enjoys a strong reputation within the local community and beyond. Our students are well known for achieving high academic outcomes: we outperform a range of national attainment figures at GCSE and A-Level."

Coming up: an open day on Monday 30 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Stokesley School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.2 in North Yorkshire and 47 across England.

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

That is up from 45.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.15: 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 33.2, against 51.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 18.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Geography, Combined Science and Biology.

For September 2026 entry, 213 families put Stokesley School as their first choice and 422 named it as one of their preferences, for 202 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 19 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Stokesley School are The King's Academy (4.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.9); and Nunthorpe School & Sixth Form (4.5 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 44.2).

Stokesley School's 2026 results were higher than all 2 of them.

Stokesley 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 195 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 35% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 83 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 61% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 16% into work. 30% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

15.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 140 pupils (13%) received SEN support and 33 (3.1%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Great Ayton Rail Station, about 3 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (adjacent), 90 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Stokesley School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 23 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in North Yorkshire (9), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Stokesley School issued 378 suspensions, 35.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Stokesley School are Stokesley Primary Academy (0.4 miles) and Kirkby and Great Broughton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (1.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.