The top ten list below features the best high schools in Leeds and the immediate surrounding area. Detailing the most recent Ofsted rating and progress 8 score (which shows how well students progress from KS2 to the completion of KS4), this comprehensive guide also provides info on local amenities, housing and transport links to Leeds city centre.
This is a perfect blog for young parents looking to move to the Leeds area and are unsure which school to send their child to, or if you’re a parent currently living in Leeds who might have decided that it’s time to find a new future for your child's education. Whatever you might be, this is our comprehensive guide to the best schools in Leeds!
Roundhay School
Set within the spacious suburb of Roundhay in northeast Leeds, Roundhay School has around 2,600 primary and secondary school pupils and a sixth form comprising a further 500 students. Roundhay is one of the best high schools in Leeds and the surrounding area features a good mix of Victorian terraced, semi and detached housing, as well as leafy green parks and local sports facilities.
- Type of school: Mixed community school
- Location: Gledhow Lane, Leeds, LS8 1ND
- Progress 8 score: 0.51 well above average
- Ofsted rating: Outstanding
- Roundhay School website
The Morley Academy
Situated within the market town of Morley, about eight kilometres to the southwest of Leeds city centre, Morley Academy has around 1,600 students, many of whom specialise in technology. Morley Academy is one of three secondary schools in the area and always does well in the Leeds secondary schools league tables. Thanks to excellent transport links and plenty of local shopping and leisure centres, Morely is a popular choice for young professionals and commuters.
- Type of school: Mixed converted to an academy
- Location: Fountain Street, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0PD
- Progress 8 score: 0.71 well above average
- Ofsted rating: Outstanding
Allerton High School
This senior school specialises in business and enterprise and can be found within the suburb of Alwoodley, around eight kilometres north of Leeds city centre. With just over 1,150 students, Allerton is one of the best schools in Leeds and currently rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Located in the affluent LS17 postcode, much of the area to the north is countryside whereas local residential areas are well known for their stately detached properties and exclusive modern apartments.
- Type of school: Mixed community school
- Location: King Lane, Leeds, LS17 7AG
- Progress 8 score: 0.69 well above average
- Ofsted rating: Outstanding
St. Mary's Menston Academy
Located in the village of Menston, roughly 18 kilometres northwest of Leeds, St. Mary's Menston Academy is a Roman Catholic school that always scores well in the Leeds secondary schools league tables. Although the majority of Menston actually falls within the Bradford district it’s still a popular location for commuters heading to Leeds thanks to the proximity of the A65. St. Mary's Menston Academy is a specialist sports college and has a capacity for just over 1,000 students.
- Type of school: Mixed converted to an academy
- Location: Bradford Road, Ilkley, LS29 6AE
- Progress 8 score: 0.41 above average
- Ofsted rating: Outstanding
Garforth Academy
Situated in the town of Garforth, approximately 10 kilometres east of Leeds, Garforth Academy currently has a student population of just under 2,000 children, including those attending the sixth form college. Garforth was once a thriving coal mining town but has long since become popular with commuters thanks to the local train service and access to the M1 and M62 motorways. Garforth is quite a traditional town with numerous local pubs, supermarkets and a sprawling skateboard park providing the weekend entertainment for families.
- Type of school: Mixed converted to an academy
- Location: Lidgett Lane, Leeds, LS25 1LJ
- Progress 8 score: 0.49 above average
- Ofsted rating: Outstanding
The Ruth Gorse Academy
If you want to find out what is the most popular school in Leeds, the Ruth Gorse Academy in the city centre is certainly up there with the best of them. With around 1,200 students, the RGA is part of the GORSE Academies Trust that champions young people living in some of the UK’s least affluent areas. Situated on Black Bull Street, the surrounding district is mainly made up of purpose-built flats and inner-city neighbourhoods. Transport links in and out of Leeds city centre are excellent and many children attending Ruth Gorse Academy travel in by bus from surrounding villages and towns.
- Type of school: Mixed free school
- Location: Black Bull Street, Leeds, LS10 1HW
- Progress 8 score: 0.46 above average
- Ofsted rating: Outstanding
Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School
Set within the market town of Otley, 16 kilometres northwest of Leeds, Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School is one of the best secondary schools in Leeds for languages. With around 1,400 students, including sixth formers, the school is consistently ranked as good by Ofsted although the school building itself is often cited as needing a refurb. Otley’s linked to Leeds by the A660 and is also served by several excellent local bus routes.
- Type of school: Mixed converted to an academy
- Location: Farnley Lane, Otley, LS21 2BB
- Progress 8 score: 0.36 above average
- Ofsted rating: Good
Abbey Grange Church of England Academy
Located within the West Park district, just over six kilometres from the city centre, Abbey Grange C of E Academy has just over 1,600 students, including sixth formers. Deemed good by Ofsted, Abbey Grange is a popular school for families living within the local council estates, including Moor Grange. West Park itself is set within a large conservation area and also features a traditional local high street from where you can gain access to A660 and A6120 road links.
- Type of school: Mixed converted to an academy
- Location: Butcher Hill, Leeds, LS16 5EA
- Progress 8 score: 0.26 above average
- Ofsted rating: Good
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School
In one of the most recent Leeds secondary schools league tables ratings by Ofsted, Cardinal Heenan High was categorised as good. Situated just to the south of Leeds outer ring road, about six kilometres from the city centre, this comprehensive school has just under 1,000 students many of whom specialise in languages. The school itself is located in the suburb of Meanwood which features several spacious parks and woodland areas. Alongside a good assortment of local amenities, Meanwood is also a popular spot for grassroots sports clubs including cricket and rugby league.
- Type of school: Mixed charitable foundation faith school
- Location: Tongue Lane, Leeds, LS6 4QE
- Progress 8 score: 0.33 above average
- Ofsted rating: Good
Woodkirk Academy
Situated within the residential development of Tingley, about 10 kilometres south of central Leeds, Woodkirk Academy is home to almost 2,000 students, including 300 six form students. Well known for specialising in science, Woodkirk Academy has a good Ofsted rating as well as a good reputation for music and performing arts. Tingley itself was built on a partially rural area and has still retained several well-loved views over the surrounding countryside. Although without a local train line, transport access via the M62 and A653 has made Tingley popular with families working in Leeds.
- Type of school: Mixed converted to an academy
- Location: Rein Road, Wakefield, WF3 1JQ
- Progress 8 score: 0.32 above average
- Ofsted rating: Good
