SchoolScoresUpper Wharfedale School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Wharfeside Avenue, Threshfield, Skipton, BD23 5BS
01756 752215 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 5 June 2019.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 December 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
87 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
North Yorkshire comparisons use the 17 of its 41 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 24 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 17 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 17 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 2nd highest of 17 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 79% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 34 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 96% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 67 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 96% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 21 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 60% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 61% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 17 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Yorkshire. Higher than 85% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 24%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. North Yorkshire figures pool parents at the North Yorkshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
77 pupils in this year group.
61% — 14 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 61% | 47% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 48.3 | 46.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
58 pupils in this year group.
97% — 3 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 7% | 34% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 71% | 35% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in North Yorkshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 66 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 65 |
| Of those, offered a place | 59 (91%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 241 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 18.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.3% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 13.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.3% | 5.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Lower than 55% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.6% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1 | 26.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 39% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Skipton. Higher than 1% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 14.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Questions parents ask
What is Upper Wharfedale School's Ofsted rating?
Upper Wharfedale School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 June 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Upper Wharfedale School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 61% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Upper Wharfedale School?
92% of the 87 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Upper Wharfedale School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Upper Wharfedale School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 65 families put Upper Wharfedale School as their first choice for 66 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 59 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 121690.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.