Parents

Ilkley Grammar School is proud of its excellent reputation in the local community and the wider region and of its long service to the education of students in the Wharfe Valley.

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Download our Post-16 2024-25 prospectus 

We have a very long history of providing a high-quality education for students.  We match the very best of the school’s traditions with an ambitious vision and strong core values which underpin our commitment to Personal Best.

Our Ofsted inspection of March 2017 confirmed us as an ‘Outstanding’ school in all areas, where students “attain highly and make excellent progress”, where behaviour is “exemplary” and where “teachers go the extra mile to make sure students achieve, feel cared for and thrive within a supportive and productive learning environment”.  (You can read the full report here).

Our success was also recognised in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2018 with Ilkley Grammar School named as the top ranked comprehensive school in the north of England; in the 2023 Parent Power rankings, IGS ranked the 2^nd highest non-selective school in the north of England for results at A-Level and GCSE combined and the highest for GCSE results at grade 7+.

PARENT POWER 2023 RANKINGS:

North State Secondary Schools Ranked by GCSE % 9-7 (non-selective)

1.	Ilkley Grammar School	Ilkley	51.4%
2.	Fulford School	York	48.7%
3.	All Saints Roman Catholic School	York	47.7%

Top non-selective state schools in the north of England             

1. All Saints RC School, York (comprehensive)
2. Ilkley Grammar School (comprehensive)

In the Parent Power 2024 rankings of selective and comprehensive schools, IGS is again in the top ten schools in the north of England.

As the founding school of Moorlands Learning Trust, Ilkley Grammar School  consistently achieves excellent examination results at both GCSE and A Level with student progress “well above average” and in the top 10-20% of all state schools nationally. As a result, students go on to take up a range of excellent university, apprenticeship and employment opportunities. However, we are not complacent. Hard work is an expectation of all and we strive for continual improvements year on year by challenging our students and our staff to aim high and excel.

As well as achieving academic success, it is very important to us that students are also equipped with the confidence, skills, qualities and values to make a positive difference to their own lives and the lives of others. We encourage them to get actively involved, both in terms of engagement with their learning and participation in lessons, as well as through trying new experiences and embracing the extensive wider opportunities which are available. IGS offers a vast range of extra-curricular clubs and activities, enrichment trips and visits, and leadership programmes from year 7 which not only develop skills and interests, but also help to encourage independence, build resilience and form lasting friendships.

Through inspirational teaching, a culture of high expectations and challenge for all, as well as positive encouragement and support, we believe all students are capable of developing their talents and aspirations and fulfilling their unique potential so they grow in “wisdom and stature.” Underpinning the culture of high expectations and philosophy of ‘Personal Best’ is a strong pastoral system. It is very important to us that students enjoy their time at IGS as we know that students thrive academically and personally when they feel happy, safe and secure.  Therefore, we work hard to create a safe, compassionate and supportive school environment in which our young people are treated with respect, care and consideration for their wellbeing. Whilst we are a large community, we get to know all of our learners well, recognising every student as an individual, with different needs and talents. We encourage personal and social responsibility and work hard together to support and nurture successful, happy and confident learners who achieve in the widest sense of the word, and not just academically. 

Dating back to 1607, Ilkley Grammar School has a long and distinguished history.  However, whilst we are proud of our tradition, we also have a modern and global outlook, embracing technological advancement as shown through our iPads for learning initiative. We are very much aware that the next generation are growing up in a complex and changing world in which some will pursue careers which are as yet unimagined and will face unprecedented opportunities and challenges. We continually advance our curriculum to be responsive to student need and the skills for life and work in the twenty first century and invest in the professional training of our staff to keep ourselves at the cutting edge of educational development. 

By blending the best of tradition with innovation to engage and inspire, we support our students to achieve the highest standards in line with their Personal Best.