Ripon Grammar School
School summary
One of the few state grammar schools to offer boarding, Ripon Grammar combines selective day education with residential places in the heart of North Yorkshire. Around 942 pupils are on roll against a capacity of 975, so the school is busy but not quite full. Ofsted rated it Good overall in its most recent inspection, while singling out both personal development and the sixth form as Outstanding. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly 17.4, it sits comfortably within the medium-sized band.
How hard is it to get in?
Highly competitive · 4 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Applications far outnumber the 117 Year 7 places each September, so exam performance matters more here than at most selective schools.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
Attainment 8
70.9
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
94%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Good
- Last inspected
- 25 January 2023
Teaching & academics
Results here are well above national norms: an average Attainment 8 score of 70.9 compares with a national figure of 46.9, and 94% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national average of 47%. The quality of education is judged Good, and the sixth form is rated Outstanding, suggesting the academic momentum is sustained through to A-level. This is a school geared towards able pupils who will thrive in an academically demanding environment.
Beyond the classroom
The Outstanding rating for personal development points to a strong programme of pastoral care and opportunity beyond the classroom, and the boarding provision adds a further dimension to school life.
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 4.88%
- EHC plans
- 0.42%
- English as additional language
- 7.5%
- Free school meals
- 4%
Schools nearby
Ermysted's Grammar School
Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber
Skipton Girls' High School
Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber
The North Halifax Grammar School
Halifax, Yorkshire and the Humber
Heckmondwike Grammar School
Heckmondwike, Yorkshire and the Humber
The Crossley Heath School
Halifax, Yorkshire and the Humber
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Clitheroe, North West
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A selective grammar with the rare bonus of boarding, suited to capable children who want to be stretched. Entry is competitive, with 117 places contested through the North Yorkshire consortium tests.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Ripon Grammar School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.