Joseph Rowntree School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Haxby Road, New Earswick, York, YO32 4BZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Joseph Rowntree School is a secondary school in York for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 70 schools in York. It ranks 9th of 13 secondary schools in York. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2012.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 14 November 2012, report published 5 December 2012

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 October 2022

Pupils at this school, including those in the sixth form, value their learning. All pupils benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities needs (SEND). Teachers care about pupils and help them to do their best. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive. Leaders, governors and staff have high expectations for what pupils and students should achieve. Teachers are passionate about their subjects, and this stimulates pupils' interest in their studies. In lessons and around the school, pupils follow the routines and expectations set by staff. Pupils are polite and friendly. The majority of pupils behave well. Pupils told inspectors that they feel safe and happy. They are taught how to keep themselves safe online and in the community. If bullying happens, staff resolve this swiftly and effectively. Pupils are confident that if they have a problem there will be someone to talk to and that they will receive the help they need. This care and support is a strength of the school. Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Leaders try to capture the interests of every pupil, including those who are disadvantaged, with a variety of extra- curricular clubs and activities. Pupils and students in the sixth form enjoy their involvement in the school's annual production, which features highly in the life of the school.

What the school should improve

  • Some parents and carers do not feel sufficiently aware of the systems in place to support their children. This can limit their ability to complement the support that their children receive. It can also limit their ability to check the impact of support on their child. Leaders should communicate more effectively with parents and carers of pupils with SEND to help them to contribute to and check the impact of the support that their children receive.
  • Staff do not encourage older pupils to read widely or often enough. This means that opportunities to enhance pupils' vocabulary and depth of knowledge across the curriculum are missed. Staff should further develop the school's approach to reading so that older pupils read with purpose across the curriculum.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

225 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.2

48.2, 2.1 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths46.2%

46.2%, 0.8 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths66.7%

66.7%, 1.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc57.8%

57.8%, 17.3 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.49

4.49, 0.4 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

78 students

Average point score per A level entry37.45

37.45, 2.45 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,248 pupils on roll, with places for 1,328

Eligible for free school meals19.1%

19.1%, 7.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.1%

7.1%, 14.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.7%

10.7%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.3%

5.3%, 0.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Joseph Rowntree School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Huntington School0.6 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 48.2
Vale of York Academy2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 45.3
St Peter's School 2-182 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 25.7
Bootham School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 36.5
Manor Church of England Academy3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 54.0

School details

School type
Voluntary controlled school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr David Hewitt
Address
Haxby Road, New Earswick, York, YO32 4BZ
Local authority
York
URN
121711

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.