Guide: Yorkshire's top independent schools

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Cundall Manor

A lifelong love of learning begins at Cundall Manor School, where curiosity is nurtured through ever-changing and exciting experiences. 

Located in the stunning North Yorkshire countryside between Harrogate, York, and Thirsk, this independent co-educational day and boarding school offers a warm and supportive environment where pupils aged 2–16 years thrive both academically and personally.

From the early years in nursery, children are introduced to learning in a welcoming rural setting, with spacious, stimulating classrooms and outdoor areas that inspire exploration. Adventures continue into the expansive play park, orchard, and meadow beyond, fostering a love of outdoor discovery. 

From reception age, pupils enjoy a broad curriculum, including English, Maths, French, Art, Music, Sport, Swimming, and weekly outdoor education. 

After-school enrichment activities, such as bushcraft and STEAM challenges, further enhance their early years’ development, encouraging them to become happy, curious, and engaged learners.

As pupils transition into prep school, they gain the advantage of further specialist teaching in small class sizes with a wider range of co-curricular opportunities. 

Pupils are encouraged to explore their interests while building confidence and resilience. A diverse and inclusive sports programme ensures every pupil has opportunities to participate and represent the school, supported by outstanding facilities including AstroTurf pitches, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. 

Cundall Manor's holistic approach extends beyond the classroom, offering vibrant co-curricular opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, residential outward-bound trips, sailing in Cowes, climbing Ben Nevis and school traditions like the celebrated go-kart race and whole school triathlon. 

The school’s art department recently achieved national recognition, winning first and second prizes in the ISA National Finals. 

In December, the performing arts fostered confidence and creativity through productions like the Nativity, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the Ripon Cathedral Carol Service, with multiple opportunities for pupils to perform throughout the year.

The school’s dedication to excellence is reflected in its recent 2024 GCSE results, with pupils exceeding predictions by an average of one grade across all subjects. With small class sizes and a team of highly experienced teaching staff, every pupil receives tailored support and guidance, empowering them to reach their full potential.

You are warmly invited to meet with the headmaster, pupils and teachers to discover what makes Cundall Manor a school like no other at the next open morning on February 7, 2025.

Demographic: Boys and girls, aged 2-16.

Address: Cundall, North Yorkshire, YO61 2RW.

Contact: website: www.cundallmanorschool.com | Phone: 01423 360200 | Email: admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk

Ampleforth College

Families from all over the UK and the world come to Ampleforth because it offers something unique - an ethos of 'every child is a blessing with unique talents, and we grow and learn from our differences, becoming better people by looking for the good in others and helping them'.

This approach - rooted in the Benedictine character of its founders - provides a guide to finding meaning and purpose in life.

 Ampleforth challenges and inspires pupils to discover their interests and strengths. You can learn to fly a plane, make stained glass, survive in the wild, sign up for dance classes, create a theatre set, star in a musical, restore a Land Rover, go riding, fishing, beagling or shooting, and try out anything from archery to yoga.

At the heart of everything the school does is the pastoral care of its pupils, supporting them to live happy, fulfilled and responsible lives. 

Boarding houses are real homes, with a dedicated team of staff who know every pupil extremely well and cherish them.  Day students are fully integrated and get all the benefits and opportunities of a boarding school. Pupils get excellent academic results. 

In 2024, 77 percent of its A-level students achieved A*-B, with 43 percent achieving A*-A. 92 percent went on to their first choice university and 100 percent their first or second choice university.

Ampleforth College  nurtures intellectual curiosity, independence of mind, and a lifelong love of learning. Amplefordians become grounded, thoughtful, and compassionate individuals, who are comfortable in their own skin and do good in the world.  

Find out more in 2025 at Amplefoth College's next open days on Saturday, February 1 and Saturday, May 10.

Demographic: Boys and girls, aged 11 - 18.

Address: Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER.

Contact: website: www.ampleforth.org.uk | phone: 01439 766000 | email: reception@ampleforth.org.uk.

Queen Mary's School 

Queen Mary’s School was thrilled to be named as a top ten independent schools with no sixth form in the UK by The Sunday Times 2025 Parent Power Schools Guide. 

The school, just minutes from the A1(M), prides itself on providing an all-girls’ learning environment, designed with flexibility at its heart. 

It aims to nurture and empower pupils to unleash their full potential to become confident and independent, as they mature from the inside out. 

Queen Mary's commitment to personalised learning is evident in its diverse curriculum with the Good Schools Guide agreeing that 'there is a strong focus on high quality teaching and learning'. 

Traditional subjects sit alongside coding, performing arts and entrepreneurship within the personal development programme. Along with academic excellence, Queen Mary’s offers exceptional co-curricular opportunities with numerous different activities on offer each week including gymnastics, dance, debating and STEM as well as outstanding music and choral provision. 

The art studio, swimming pool and sports facilities are extremely popular and Queen Mary’s pupils love to be adventurous on-site canoeing, river swimming and climbing. Riders and riding teams from Queen Mary’s equestrian centre have won major national and regional titles. 

Girls make Queen Mary’s their second home with flexi, weekly or full boarding available in a supportive, family and fun atmosphere. 

Elisabeth in Year 11 expressed how much she loved the way in which Queen Mary’s gives pupils 'the freedom to express ourselves and not fit into a mould'. 

For one Year 11 parent, the sentiment is unequivocal: 'Queen Mary's is the best decision we made as parents'.

Thanks to the unique combination of a small community, flexibility for busy family life, truly personalised learning and a determination to create magical childhood memories, pupils blossom at Queen Mary’s.

Demographic: Girls aged 4-16, boys aged 4-8.

Address: Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, YO7 3BZ.

Contact: website: www.queenmarys.org | phone: 01845 575000 | email: admissions@queenmarys.org