MixedIndependentBoarding

Aysgarth School

Bedale, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber · DL8 1TF

A small independent prep school in Bedale, North Yorkshire, Aysgarth caters for boys and girls from ages 3 to 13, with boarding alongside day places. With just 166 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around five to one, the school offers a notably intimate setting in which staff can know children individually. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated Aysgarth excellent for both education quality and personal development, and found it compliant with regulatory standards. Nearly a quarter of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a community accustomed to tailoring its approach.

166

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£32,796

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 3-13
Pupils: 166
Pupil:teacher ratio: 5
Location: Bedale, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber
Website: https://www.aysgarthschool.com/
Telephone: 01677 450240

Headteacher

Headmaster Jonathon Anderson

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Teaching & academics

The headline strength here is scale: a five-to-one pupil-teacher ratio is exceptionally generous, allowing close attention and rapid intervention. The ISI judged the quality of education excellent, and scholarships are offered across academic, music, drama, art, sport and all-rounder routes, rewarding ability in more than one direction. As a school finishing at 13, the focus is on preparing children well for senior school entry.

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 22.83%
EHC plans: 0.91%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicDramaMusicSportArtAll-rounder

Beyond the classroom

Scholarship routes in drama, music, art and sport point to a breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom. The boarding setting and the school's outdoor North Yorkshire location lend themselves to a full programme of activities and weekend life.

Ethos & heritage

Boarding: Yes

Mobile phone policy

All pupils hand in SIM cards to matron on arrival. Mobiles only for away matches or school outings over 1 hour travel; escorted train during exeats. Years 7-8 only use phones (without SIM/WiFi) in common room Wed after 6:30pm, Sat after 6:30pm, Sun after 11am. Charge phones Monday only. No charging in dorms. No chargers or power banks. No iPads, tablets, or Kindle Fire devices.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £13,338 - £32,796
Boarding fees (per year): £42,660
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 14 June 2023

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A traditional prep-school experience built on small numbers and very high staffing levels. The strict, structured phone policy signals a deliberately screen-light environment that some families will value highly.

The Passmate verdict