Ages 
School (or college) isn’t a sufficient word to encompass all that we saw at Ampleforth. This is a community and a way of life – some families have five generations of living and learning in this beautiful corner of north Yorkshire. The surroundings are both tranquil and magnificent, the opportunities are tremendous, the education is well structured and helps pupils of different abilities find the right route. The school has been through a very challenging time, coming almost to the edge of closure, but it is moving forward with faith, strength and determination; acknowledging and learning from the past, maintaining all that is good and facing the future with renewed vigour. An astonishing place.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 410 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 190 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Catholic
- Fees
- Day £26,730 - £40,125; Boarding £41,121 - £57,615 pa
- Local authority
- North Yorkshire County Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
Jon Mutton
Since January 2025, Jon Mutton, previously deputy head, pastoral and wellbeing. He knows Ampleforth inside out, having held key leadership positions in academic, pastoral and co-curricular aspects of the college over his 13 years here since he joined
Entrance
You don’t have to be a practising Catholic (although around 60 per cent of pupils are), but you do need to be in sympathy with the spiritual side of the college. For year 7 entry all pupils are interviewed by the registrar and take standardised
- Open days
- Check school website
Exit
Around three-quarters of year 11s stay into the sixth form, the rest moving on to local colleges and apprenticeships. Roughly 90 per cent to university, over half to Russell Group. Edinburgh, Durham, Exeter and Newcastle all popular. One to Oxbridge
Latest results
In 2025, 33 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 33 per cent A*/A at A level (59 per cent A*-B).
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Fairly traditional, broad curriculum in years 7 and 8 leading to the Ampleforth junior certificate which pupils achieve at bronze, silver and gold levels. In year 7 there is a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ English and maths skills. They all
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The Ampleforth Learning Hub (SEN base) is proudly at the heart of the college. ‘We are all teachers of SEN,’ said the SENCo, who has long experience teaching in state secondaries as well as leading SEN at both school and local authority level. There
Arts & extracurricular
Creative and performance facilities are impressive; art, music and drama are very well catered for both in terms of inspiring teachers and technical support staff. Super, light, modern and airy art rooms showcase work in a variety of media. Space is
Sport
‘How many cricket wickets?’ we asked. ‘Four, no five, no… six plus indoor and outdoor nets,’ our student guide replied. It’s no wonder they got confused – the school has access to over 2,000 acres of rugby and hockey pitches, floodlit Astros,
Boarders
Eighty per cent of pupils are full boarders. Day pupils are fully integrated into boarding life: they can arrive for breakfast and stay until 8.15pm (juniors) and 9.30pm (seniors). Day pupils who need to stay overnight for trips and activities can do
Ethos & heritage
In 1802 a school for 70 boys was opened in the grounds of the Benedictine monastery Ampleforth Abbey. As the school grew buildings were added – Gilbert Scott (Liverpool Cathedral) was one the architects. These sit comfortably alongside more modern
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Every pupil has a personal tutor (about six per tutor), who gets to know them and their family extremely well. A parent told us, ‘Pastoral care is outstanding. It’s incredible how many staff the kids have to lean on, from matron and the chaplain to
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Years 7 and 8 are allowed 45 minutes in the evening. Year 9 also get one hour in the evening Monday to Friday, plus Saturday after sport (around 4pm) to 9pm and Sunday afternoon until 9pm. For years 10 and 11, it’s the same as year 9 with additional access from 5pm to 6.30pm (year 10) and to 7pm (year 11). This privilege does not apply during summer term to support revision for year 11 and encourage year 10 to use their time in other ways when the weather is better. Students in years 12 and 13 may carry a mobile but not use it during lessons, house time, whilst eating meals or in activities unless directed to by a teacher.
Pupils & parents
About 60 per cent of families are Catholic, many parents are from affluent backgrounds, often with strong historic family connections to the school. Roughly a third are international, predominantly from western European Catholic families, a
Money matters
The college offers academic, performing arts and sporting scholarships in all years. While there is a degree of financial support attached to some, others are honorary; all entitle recipients to additional mentoring and support in specific areas.
- Fee information
- Day £26,730 - £40,125; Boarding £41,121 - £57,615 pa
The last word
School (or college) isn’t a sufficient word to encompass all that we saw at Ampleforth. This is a community and a way of life – some families have five generations of living and learning in this beautiful corner of north Yorkshire. The surroundings
