A historic sandstone school building with a clock tower and cupola, set against a bright blue sky and surrounded by a well-kept lawn.

Ackworth School

Ackworth School

Ackworth, England

Set in the green heart of Yorkshire, Ackworth combines a warm, family-style boarding experience with real sporting ambition – football, squash and table tennis are all trained here at a high level. With its Quaker roots, the school values not only achievement but, above all, respect, community and strength of character.

We placed 1 pupil here in 2024
Number of students
430
Number of boarders
100
Percentage of international boarders
25%
Average class size
10
Diploma offered
A-Level
Closest International Airport
1.25hrs
Manchester Airport - by car
Students practise yoga poses together in a large indoor sports hall with high ceilings and bright lighting.

The Details

The Academics

At Ackworth, pupils can take both GCSEs and A levels – with no entrance exam required. The 2024 results were solid, especially for a non-selective school: over 33% grades 9–7 at GCSE and 12% A grades at A level. What really matters here is that every pupil gets the support they need – whether they’re a high flyer or a late bloomer.

Languages Taught

French and Spanish.

The Boarding

Around a quarter of pupils board, mostly in two- or three-bed rooms – relaxed, friendly and with plenty of contact with day pupils. Boys and girls live in one large boarding house (with separate sleeping areas, of course), spread across the entire top floor. Following a full refurbishment, everything feels much fresher – new grey furniture, improved bathrooms and lots of natural light.

Weekends are lively too, with trips, creative workshops and camping adventures adding variety beyond the classroom.

Two students play squash on an indoor court with wooden flooring and red boundary lines.Sports Academies

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Sport at Ackworth is strong. Pupils can take part in the intensive training programmes of the Sports Academies for football, squash or table tennis. Beyond that, more than 20 other sports are on offer – including basketball, swimming, volleyball and athletics.

Music is another highlight. Since January 2019, Ackworth has been recognised as a Steinway School, with three concert grands and ten Steinway pianos available to pupils.

Founded by the Quakers, the school’s ethos remains present in every aspect of life, shaping Ackworth’s calm and friendly atmosphere. Teachers and pupils treat one another with respect and genuine care.

Weaknesses

At present, only around 25% of pupils are boarders, but the school makes a real effort to integrate them fully into everyday life – and it works: close friendships between boarders and day pupils are anything but rare.

And yes, the swimming pool has certainly seen better days – but it proudly holds the title of the oldest school pool still in use in the country, and it does its job just fine.

Location

Ackworth School sits in the charming town of Ackworth – small enough to feel welcoming, yet large enough not to feel remote. Leeds, Manchester and York are all within easy reach, and London is just an hour and 40 minutes away by train.

Closest International Airport
Manchester Airport - 1hr and 15mins by car
Closest Train Station
Wakefield Station - 20 mins by car
Nearest Cities
Gordonsfield - 20mins on foot
Our Opinion

If you’re looking for a friendly, supportive school with real sporting strength in football, squash and table tennis, Ackworth is the place. 

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