Upper Wharfedale School
Community secondary school in Skipton (North Yorkshire).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
Welcome to Upper Wharfedale School. We are a popular, over-subscribed non-selective school within the selective system of the Craven area. Our students join us from an area of over 200 square miles. We are proud of our student-centred, inclusive ethos.
As a small school we know every student as an individual, encouraging and developing their personal skills, interests and aptitudes. We prioritise excellence in teaching, whilst having very high expectations of our students. Celebrating all student achievement– academic and otherwise, is at the heart of our school.
We assist students to develop their skills, interests and talents; encouraging moral, social and economic awareness. Our goal is for our students to go on to confidently lead healthy, safe and happy lives as both responsible individuals and caring members of our society.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
1 activityiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Accelerated Reader
Awards
2 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Fairtrade SchoolRecognised award
- Healthy SchoolsHealth and wellbeing
Key facts
- URN
- 121690
- Type
- Community school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- North Yorkshire
- Constituency
- Skipton and Ripon
- Setting
- Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city
Governing body (8 current, 1 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Adam Winthrop | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · until 2030 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Sam Packham | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mr Stuart Willis | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Claire Willis | Governor | Appointed by LA | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Hadley Nicholson | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Ian Chapman | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Adam Oldfield | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
| Mr Simon Dooley | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
| Mr Stuart Bond Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2018 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record