Ilkley Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Ilkley Grammar School is an amazing school.

This is a school where every pupil gets a chance to shine. Academic success is very high. An extensive personal development offer ensures pupils achieve their personal best.

School sports, trips and a vast range of clubs, including Model United Nations, creative writing and musical theatre, enable pupils to flourish.

Pupils enjoy their lessons and behave in a way that enables deep, meaningful classroom learning. In business and economics, pupils discuss the impact of business ideas on society and politics in a carefully designed curriculum that goes beyond the specification.

Staff are passionate about their... subjects, and the impact of this is seen in the classroom. Pupils in all years explore subject topics by asking thoughtful questions and working together with complete focus. Whether pupils excel, or need extra help, this school supports them to fulfil their potential.

The school's sixth-form students help set the positive tone for the whole school. They interact with younger pupils daily through leadership roles and at social times. They model kindness and teamwork.

They mentor younger pupils and help them believe in themselves and what they are able to achieve. This supports pupils to experience and be proud of their success.

The school has an on-site specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

This resource provision is fully integrated into the school and successfully supports the whole school's ambition that every pupil is a valued member of the school community.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school offers a rich curriculum that ensures all students achieve well - there is ambition for all. Pupils build a complex understanding of subject knowledge over time.

Teachers use many strategies to help pupils learn. These include integrating technology into lessons to enhance the learning experience and support the delivery of the curriculum. The strategies enable pupils to discuss and debate through thought-provoking discussions, a key aspect of the school's curriculum aims.

Staff check pupils' understanding in different ways. In the humanities, staff use this information to refine their curriculum and provide pupils with targeted support so that they know how to succeed as learners and historians or geographers. Pupils achieve excellent, sustained outcomes over time.

This is partly due to the holistic approach to the curriculum and bespoke, individualised, pastoral care.

The school is fully inclusive. Staff believe every pupil can succeed, no matter their background or any challenge they may face.

The school has effective dedicated support spaces in the school that provide extra help for vulnerable pupils, in addition to the specialist resource provision. Teachers are experts at adapting lessons to meet pupils' needs and help every pupil learn.

Reading is prioritised.

Swift and effective help is provided for pupils who struggle with reading. In English, pupils study a rich choice of literature as part of their sophisticated curriculum, which helps build pupils' cultural capital. Complex texts and literary articles are used as part of each subject.

This contributes to pupils' learning of complex subject vocabulary and provides them with the necessary language to discuss and debate different topics.

The school is a calm environment where pupils behave exceptionally well. Staff consistently implement the school's behaviour system.

This helps pupils understand the importance of self-discipline, and they are able to demonstrate this. Pupils care and show respect for each other.

The sixth-form provision is a shining light within the school.

The curriculum offer available to students is comprehensive and caters to a range of interests. The school provides countless opportunities to develop skills that equip students very well for their next step in life. The students enjoy the exemplary extracurricular offer afforded to the whole school, such as representing the school at regional and national sports competitions, and science and mathematics competitions.

Pupils have strong attendance. The school uses detailed tracking to check pupil attendance, and then meets with families to identify barriers to attending school. Staff are proactive in supporting families to remove barriers, offering support such as transport to school, wraparound care and mental health support.

This approach is very effective, with very few pupils missing too much school.

The school offers many activities that go beyond everyday classroom learning. Pupils can join numerous sports, music and drama groups and take on multiple leadership roles.

These activities enable pupils to develop important life skills, such as responsibility and public speaking. The school offers work experience and extensive trips both locally and internationally. These opportunities help pupils understand and be prepared for the real world.

Pupils learn about fundamental British values and how to be active citizens. Personal development is intrinsically linked to the community's needs and the school's values. The school draws on various expertise, for example welcoming guest speakers who engage and support pupils to make well-informed decisions about topical issues.

Pupils are knowledgeable about different beliefs and cultures as a result of the curriculum and well-designed activities. For example, these include interviews with local faith leaders in 'Talking Heads' sessions. The school also offers well-considered career support, including a 'Future Fest' career fair.

Extensive links with industry and higher education help the pupils to make informed decisions. Work experience is linked to mock interviews, and pupils can have their questions answered in personalised careers meetings. Pupils are extremely well-informed and use the school's full personal development offer when making choices regarding their next steps.

School leaders have a clear and ambitious vision, which is instrumental in helping all pupils succeed. Leaders empower teachers to develop their skills through focused and highly effective professional development. They provide strong personal and professional care and create a culture where everyone feels valued and supported to develop.

Governors have the skills and knowledge to support the school and have a positive working relationship with staff. This helps enable them to perform their role extremely effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.