Wensleydale School
Leyburn, DL8 5HY · North Yorkshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
32nd 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 829 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.4/10 among them, against 2.6/10 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 | 19 | 35% | 0.66 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 28.4 · 13 | 30% | 0.38 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.08 · 44 | 25% | 1.10 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.1 · 20 | 10% | 0.20 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Wensleydale School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 34.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.08 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.7 out of 10 among them, against 3.4 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Chess society, Duke of Edinburgh, Samba Ensemble, Journalism and Media, Knitting club, Music Tech Club, Debate society, and Climbing Club. Sports include FA grass roots football, an Equestrian team, Basketball, and Pilates. Arts options feature High School Musical, Green Screen editing, Photography, Calligraphy, and a Drama Club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 407 pupils against a stated capacity of 440. 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 school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to
What Ofsted said about Wensleydale School
Overview
Wensleydale School is described as a place where "everyone is welcome" and pupils feel safe, with a "strong sense of community." The report highlights that inclusion is a "key strength," with leaders effectively supporting pupils’ diverse needs, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Overall, pupils achieve well and behave calmly, though the report notes that teaching quality and written work consistency require further development across the school.
Strengths
- Inclusion is a "key strength," with staff using 'pupil passports' to accurately identify barriers and tailor support.
- Pupils "feel safe in school" and benefit from "positive, respectful relationships" with staff and peers.
- Attendance is good, with leaders providing "thoughtful support" to reduce persistent absence.
- The curriculum is "broad and well designed," offering enrichment activities as an entitlement for all pupils.
- Leaders are "reflective" and committed to staff wellbeing, reducing workload through improved feedback approaches.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should strengthen the personal development curriculum so that all pupils "consistently understand the importance of using respectful language."
- Leaders should ensure that "highly effective teaching is embedded across subjects and year groups."
- Leaders should ensure pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, "consistently achieve well" and produce "high-quality work across all subjects."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.4 |
| 2024/25 | 41.5 |
| 2025/26 | 40.1 |
| 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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