Ilkley Grammar School [IGS] has reaffirmed its status as one of the top state comprehensive schools in the north of England following an exceptional Ofsted inspection in December 2024.
The school was rated as Outstanding in all areas: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Sixth-form provision, and Leadership and Management.
This marks the second consecutive inspection where IGS, the founding school of Moorlands Learning Trust, has achieved this remarkable accolade.
Inspectors praised the school as “an amazing school,” where “every pupil gets a chance to shine.”
The report highlighted the rich curriculum, that ensures all students achieve well. Inspectors praised the exceptional, responsive teaching, and commitment to ensuring all students achieve their best.
Staff were also commended for their passion, subject expertise, and adaptability, which contribute to high academic achievement and “excellent, sustained outcomes over time.”
Pupil behaviour, attitudes, and personal development were celebrated as key strengths of the school. Inspectors described IGS as a “calm environment where students behave exceptionally well,” engage in “thought-provoking discussions,” and “show respect for each another”, with the personal development programme was equally praised described as “extensive" and “exemplary,” offering a “vast range of clubs,” leadership opportunities, local and international trips, and career preparation that “goes beyond everyday classroom learning.” As a result, in their feedback to school leaders, inspectors described IGS students as ‘well rounded, well-educated and articulate children and young adults who are switched on and engaged in their learning’ and ‘who value the benefit of education’.
The sixth form was singled out as “a shining light within the school,” with inspectors praising its comprehensive and extensive curriculum, as well as the “countless opportunities to develop skills that equip students very well for their next step in life,” and strong links with industry and higher education that prepare students for future success. Post-16 students were praised for modelling “kindness and teamwork,” mentoring younger pupils and supporting them “to experience and be proud of their success.”
High aspirations for all pupils were recognised with inspectors concluding that “there is ambition for all,” that “the school is fully inclusive,” and that “staff believe every pupil can succeed.” The report highlights the impact of “bespoke, individualised pastoral care,” alongside specialist support for students with SEND, and wider strategies for attendance, safeguarding and mental health which were judged to be “very effective.”
Headteacher, Carly Purnell, expressed her pride in the achievement:
“It is immensely rewarding that inspectors identified such compelling evidence of the exceptional quality of education, care, and support we provide at IGS, alongside our consistently high standards and the exemplary personal development opportunities available to all our students.”
Retaining Outstanding judgements across every category, particularly under a more challenging accountability framework, is a fantastic outcome that reflects the commitment, talent and ambition of our students, staff, governors and trustees. I am incredibly proud to lead such an exceptional school, and we remain committed to building on this success in the years ahead.”
Helen Williams, CEO of Moorlands Learning Trust echoed Mrs Purnell’s comments and added:
“This superb Ofsted outcome is so richly deserved by all at Ilkley Grammar School, where everyone continually demonstrates not only high aspirations for all, alongside rigorous standards, but also a commitment to innovation and a passion to fully develop students’ wider experiences and personal development. On behalf of Moorlands Learning Trust,
"I would like to pass on our huge congratulations and thanks to all students, staff and the wider community for such a fabulous result!”
The school’s last graded inspection took place under a previous Ofsted framework in 2017, when it was again rated as Outstanding in all areas.