Ages 
A good, old-fashioned grammar school, Ermysted’s is a happy, energetic and high-achieving community. Parents and pupils are grateful to be part of it, teachers are happy to work there and Skipton locals view it with respect and affection. The school is travelling through the 21st century at its own pace - don’t expect your son to be provided with his own iPad in year 7 - but if you’re looking for a smallish, traditional environment for a bright boy to flourish personally as well as academically, Ermysted’s could be just the place.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 825 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 188 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- North Yorkshire County Council
Headteacher
Head teacher
Michael Evans
Since 2016, Michael Evans (early 40s). Previously deputy head at St Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington. Studied maths at Durham University. He relocated with his young family and loves living in North Yorkshire. Began his career as an investment
Entrance
School has moved to single testing day with two papers - VR and English in the first, NVR and maths in the second. Priority given to children with SEN and those who are looked after by the local authority, then it’s catchment area, proximity to the
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- Virtual tours in July and November
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
About a quarter of pupils leave after GCSEs - mainly to continue their studies at another sixth form or through vocational courses or apprenticeships. Around 70 per cent go to university - many to prestigious Russell Group institutions, including two
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 44 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 45 per cent A*/A at A level (69 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - 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
There’s a good range of GCSE subjects on offer - including food and nutrition, product design and design engineering. Only about half receive the English Baccalaureate (that is a grade 4 or above in English, maths, history or geography, science and a
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Ermysted’s currently supports children with dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia as well as speech and language problems, English as an additional language and physical or sensory impairments. There’s a named SENCo on the school’s website who is
Arts & extracurricular
Pupils and parents heaped praise on the range of school trips on offer - with a regular language exchange to Germany, ski trips to France and trips to Rome. A recent volunteering trip to Tanzania 'stands out as one of the most memorable experiences,'
Sport
When we asked pupils about extracurricular opportunities, the first thing they talked about was sport. Almost all of the large group of boys we met were involved in some sort of sports team and boys and parents were full of praise for the PE
Ethos & heritage
Ermysted’s is one of the oldest state schools in the country. It’s been educating boys in Skipton since at least 1492, although most of the current buildings date back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Walking into reception feels reassuringly
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
The pastoral care system means almost all teachers are also form tutors and each form tutor reports to a year head or head of key stage. Parents say the system works very well: ‘They seem to have an excellent system of changing form teachers every
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 7-11: Mobile devices belonging to pupils must be switched off and remain off during the school day, including at break and lunchtime. Mobile devices may be kept on the pupil’s person but must be placed out of sight as soon as the pupil arrives at school. Mobile devices may only be used in lessons with the explicit prior authorisation of the supervising member of staff. Years 12-13: Whilst all sixth form students must follow the same rules around the school site, they may use mobile devices at any time in the sixth form centre and during private study periods in the sixth form library.
Pupils & parents
The school has a busy parents’ association - which organises a full calendar of social and fundraising events such as quiz nights, a Christmas fair, a Burn’s Night supper and ceilidh, film nights and even balls. The PA raises significant sums of
The last word
A good, old-fashioned grammar school, Ermysted’s is a happy, energetic and high-achieving community. Parents and pupils are grateful to be part of it, teachers are happy to work there and Skipton locals view it with respect and affection. The school
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
