PLANS by Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton to allow girls into its sixth form for the first time have been put on hold for a year.

The school had proposed accepting girls into its year 12 from September next year, but following representations from Skipton Girls High School, has put it in hold for a year to 'explore in full' a closer collaboration with the girls school.

In December last year, Ermysted's launched a six week consultation on its admissions policy for 2025-26 - the key change being the admitting girls for the first time in its 530 year history. All other years would remain boys only.

At the time, Skipton Girls High School Headteacher, Martha Featherstone said the plans made little sense with numbers of post-16 pupils falling across the district and called for the two schools, both of which are graded 'good' by Ofsted, to work together.

In a letter to parents last week, Ermysted's headteacher, thanked everyone who took part in the consultation.

"The consultation prompted a number of submissions from internal and external stakeholders. The governors are very grateful to all who took the time to contribute and thank them for their efforts.

"Skipton Girls’ High School has since indicated a willingness to review the structural barriers that currently prevent a more meaningful collaboration with Ermysted’s in the sixth form. In light of this news, governors have decided to defer a decision on admitting female applicants to Year 12 for 12 months, to allow time to explore this new opportunity in full."

Martha Featherstone, Headteacher Skipton Girls High School, said: "We are delighted with the Ermysted's Grammar School governors' decision to develop our collaboration further and look forward to exploring the opportunities it creates for our community. "Skipton Girls High School and Ermysted's Grammar School share the same commitment to providing excellent education for every child and our partnership will keep this purpose at the centre of all of our work."

Other changes to Ermysted's admissions policy from next year have been approved.

The normal points of entry are to year 7 and year 12. The school has a Published Admission Number of 128 places in Year 7 and 35 places for external students joining the school in Year 12.

https://www.ermysteds.uk/