Cundall Manor: Exceptional GCSE Results at a Leading North Yorkshire Independent School

Rural campus, exceptional results … find out why parents from around Yorkshire are choosing Cundall Manor for their children.

Cundall Manor’s GCSE experience is very different to most. Pupils benefit from smaller class sizes, building strong relationships with each other and with their teachers. Senior pupils are expected to act as role models to younger pupils on a daily basis. Everyone is known as an individual. The school’s beautiful 28-acre rural campus is easily accessible from Ripon, Harrogate, Thirsk, York & Stokesley.

The achievements of the Cundall class of 2026 are a case in point with a 93% pass rate at GCSE compared to the national average of 67%. Despite being broadly non-selective, 100% of pupils passed Maths and Science. 44% of all grades were 7-9 and the pupils graduated with an average of nine passes at GCSE.

Cundall is conscious that it must offer a breadth of curriculum to match other schools. There are currently 22 subjects available to Year 10 students including Separate Sciences, Spanish, Computing, Music and Drama. The school has recently been shortlisted for Co-Ed Independent School of the Year and is currently the Top Performing Independent School in North Yorkshire and the York Metropolitan Area for Attainment 8. (The government measure based on pupils’ achievement across eight GCSE subjects).

Tailored to the pupil

The school celebrates every pupil’s achievement and the individual journey behind it. James achieved 10 Grade 9s, placing him amongst the highest-performing pupils nationally. He secured a scholarship to Shrewsbury School. Liam achieved six GCSE grades, giving him the qualifications he needs for college, where he will train to become a chef.

Academic performance and more

Cundall pupils enjoy vibrant extra-curricular opportunities which includes a strong sporting and outdoor education programme. Cundall hockey has produced three junior internationals in recent years. Ali captained England at U16 this year and gained eight GCSEs at 8-9, nine in total. Mollie and Imogen were selected to join the Sheffield Talent Academy on the England hockey pathway during their GCSE years. Others have been able to develop their love of football, cricket and netball. The year group spent a week in France, climbed Ben Nevis and learned to sail in Cowes during their Cundall journey. Most of them have completed at least one Duke of Edinburgh award at Bronze or Silver level.

Pupils are also encouraged to perform. The school rock band ‘Bangers and Thrash’, has been playing together since they were 9! With that experience has come confidence in performing and musical excellence. Drummer Olly who has an album streaming on Spotify, will study music BTEC at York College. Guitarist Josh will join him there to take A Levels. Amos, lead singer, has won an acting and music scholarship to Bootham and was invited to join the National Youth Theatre this year. All three achieved Grades 8/9 in Music.

The performing arts are more than matched by the strength of the creative Arts in Art and Textiles at GCSE, with an impressive run of Grade 9s this year, including Mollie and Ilana, who both joined the school during Year 10. Educational visits, from Newcastle to London, provide further inspiration and bring pupils’ creative studies to life. Design & Technology and Food Technology are also popular choices, adding further breadth to the school’s creative offering.

The range of achievement amongst this relatively small cohort is astonishing. Our school is not highly selective, but every result is on average a grade better than national projections in terms of value added. Each of our leavers has made their mark on the school and most importantly they are a kind, supportive and resilient group. They have all had the space to be known as an individual, to grow and find themselves.

Headmaster Simon Weale

He added: “They have had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and they have all found a champion on the staff to support them when needed. I am confident that the careful and bespoke support they have received at Cundall during their GCSE years will allow them to take on the world.”

Cundall has a strong pastoral system which supports a phone-free school day. Pupils enjoy each other's company through genuine relationships. There is a strong focus on seizing the opportunities inside and outside the classroom and also outside the school campus. This experience produces pupils who are resilient, kind and supportive of each other and confident in embracing new challenges.

Cundall Manor’s Open Morning on Friday 25th September welcomes all families to discover more about its exceptional education from Nursery to GCSE.

Contact [email protected] for a tour or taster day.