Wensleydale School
Richmond Road, Leyburn, DL8 5HYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Wensleydale School is a secondary school in Leyburn for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 376 schools in North Yorkshire. It ranks 27th of 41 secondary schools in North Yorkshire. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in May 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 12 May 2026, report published 28 June 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 May 2026
There is a strong sense of community at Wensleydale School, where everyone is welcome. Positive relationships between staff and pupils ensure that pupils feel seen and included. Pupils enjoy coming to school and look forward to their afternoon enrichment activities. They attend well. Pupils feel safe in school. If they are worried about something, they know there is an adult they can speak to. Pupils’ behaviour around school is generally calm. During social time, pupils enjoy talking with friends and playing basketball or football. Instances of bullying are uncommon. These are dealt with quickly when reported. Occasionally, a small number of pupils do not show the respect they should. Pupils are clear that this is not tolerated in school. In lessons, pupils typically focus and work hard. There is minimal disruption to learning. Pupils appreciate the feedback they receive from their teachers. This helps them to improve their work. Pupils appreciate the wide and varied support that they receive. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. As a result, pupils generally achieve well. They make progress from their starting points. Pupils secure appropriate next steps upon leaving the school. Enrichment is an entitlement for all pupils. They develop their social skills and reinforce classroom learning through a range of activities. Enrichment includes a gardening club, a craft club and sports clubs. Some pupils develop their leadership skills through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Combined Cadet Force. Pupils broaden their experiences through a range of trips. This includes ecologically focused trips across the Dales, in addition to opportunities for international travel.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should strengthen the personal development curriculum so that all pupils consistently understand the importance of using respectful language.
- Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is embedded across subjects and year groups.
- Leaders should ensure that pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, consistently achieve well, develop detailed knowledge and skills and produce high-quality work across all subjects.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
72 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
407 pupils on roll, with places for 440
Schools near Wensleydale School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aysgarth School | 6 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Risedale School | 6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 29.8 |
| Richmond School & Sixth Form College | 8 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 45.6 |
| St Francis Xavier School - a Joint Catholic and Church of England Voluntary Academy | 8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 54.6 |
| Bedale High School | 10 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 46.1 |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Julia Polley
- Phone
- 01969622244
- Address
- Richmond Road, Leyburn, DL8 5HY
- Local authority
- North Yorkshire
- URN
- 121679
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.