Aysgarth School
School summary
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.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 14 June 2023
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.
Headmaster · Jonathon Anderson
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.
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 22.83%
- EHC plans
- 0.91%
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.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £13,338 - £32,796
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £42,660
- Bursaries up to
- 100% of fees
Means-tested bursaries available
Schools nearby
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Darwin School
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Clervaux Garden School
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Queen Mary's School
Thirsk, Yorkshire and the Humber
Hurworth House School Aspris Children's services
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Embleton View
North East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
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.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Aysgarth School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.