Accolades for two of region’s schools in awards

TWO SCHOOLS in Yorkshire have been handed top accolades in prestigious awards.

Fulford School in York is named The Sunday Times North of England Secondary School of the Year for the second year running.

The Grammar School at Leeds has been handed the title North of England Independent Secondary School of the Year.

The two are among the highest-achieving 2,000 schools in the UK based on recent examination results identified in the Parent Power school guide published tomorrow.

According to the results, Fulford School has jumped 50 places since 2018 in national rankings for secondary schools to 111.

Headteacher Steve Lewis said the award reflected the “hard work and commitment” of pupils and staff.

He said: “Academic excellence is central to what we do as a school. Our pupils have outstanding outcomes and make exceptional progress.

“However, we believe education goes beyond exam results and, supported by our core values, we are committed to doing all we can to enable our pupils to have experiences that are character building, challenging, nurturing and life affirming.

“We are extremely proud of our pupils and the fantastic things they do each and every day.”

Improved performance by pupils at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) saw it climb 21 places to 118 in the national standings in the last year, raising it to third in the regional independent rankings.

Principal Sue Woodroofe said: “This is outstanding recognition, on a national stage, of all that our pupils and staff do to make GSAL so special.

“I have the privilege of working with people of all ages, every day, who show passion, vision and ambition to aim high and commit themselves to be the very best that they can be, rooted in an unerring sense of decency, kindness and courtesy.

“Just when I think I could not be more proud of this school, I find that I am!”

According to regional rankings, Ripon Grammar School is the top rated in Yorkshire among state schools, ranked 67 nationally, followed by Skipton Girls’ High School and Ermysted’s Grammar School, also in Skipton.

The biggest improvement in the top 10 in Yorkshire has been made by Beverley High School, which climbed 100 places since 2018 to be within the top 200 nationally.

The full Parent Power results will be published on Sunday at: thesundaytimes.co.uk/parentpower.