Harrogate Grammar School
Harrogate, HG2 0DZ · North Yorkshire · secondary school
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17th of 41 secondary schools in North Yorkshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 520 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.0/10 among them, against 8.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 20 | 35% | 0.69 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 63.3 · 85 | 30% | 2.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.44 · 81 | 25% | 2.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.0 · 87 | 10% | 0.87 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harrogate Grammar School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 56.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.44 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.6 out of 10 among them, against 8.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Duke of Edinburgh, debating and public speaking clubs, play rugby or netball, and take music lessons.
Getting in
The published school roll is 2,081 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,100. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the new Ofsted framework affect the support provided in specific subject areas? What opportunities exist for pupils to extend their learning beyond the core curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Harrogate Grammar School
Overview
Harrogate Grammar School is described as a place where pupils "achieve highly" and move on to "impressively ambitious next steps." The report highlights a "positive culture built on respect" where students feel safe and valued, with particular praise for the sixth form’s "highly developed knowledge and skills." While overall standards are strong, the inspection identifies specific areas requiring refinement in teaching consistency, attendance for vulnerable groups, and leadership evaluation processes.
Strengths
- Pupils, including those with special educational needs, "achieve highly over time" and are "exceptionally well prepared for national tests and examinations."
- Sixth-form provision is a "clear strength," with students demonstrating "sophistication" in articulating learning and benefiting from "ambitious study programmes."
- Behaviour is "impressive," with pupils building "positive, respectful relationships" and the school remaining "consistently calm, orderly and purposeful."
- Leaders have successfully narrowed attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils through "effective interventions" and targeted support.
- Careers education is a "strength," featuring an "ambitious and well-coordinated programme" that helps pupils explore diverse future pathways.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure learning activities "consistently deepen and extend all pupils’ understanding" across all subjects, particularly in personal development lessons.
- Strategies to improve attendance need further embedding so that pupils with special educational needs or those in receipt of free school meals "secure high attendance over time."
- Leaders and governors should refine evaluation processes to ensure impact is "consistently identified, reviewed and acted on."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.1 |
| 2024/25 | 56.6 |
| 2025/26 | 56.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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