Ilkley Grammar School

What Ilkley Grammar School does

Ilkley Grammar School (IGS) is a non-selective state-funded secondary academy located in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England. The school traces its origins to 1607 and serves students aged 11-19 across Years 7-13, delivering a broad curriculum spanning 25+ GCSE subjects and a full A-Level/Level 3 sixth-form programme including vocational BTEC offerings. IGS is the founding and flagship school of Moorlands Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust (MAT) formed on 1 July 2017 that has grown to encompass nine schools across West Yorkshire and Leeds, with IGS operating as a wholly-owned core operating subsidiary of the trust.

The school's core product is secondary and post-16 education, delivered with no commercial tuition fee (state-funded via the Education and Skills Funding Agency on a per-pupil basis). Ancillary revenue streams include peripatetic music lessons through the Noteability programme (£200-£300 per term), venue hire, sustainable uniform sales, and PTA fundraising, all processed through the ParentPay platform. The technology stack supporting delivery is standard off-the-shelf: a 1:1 iPad programme for students, ParentPay for payments, Microsoft Forms for music-lesson applications, Spond for sports-club communications, and Google Analytics for site analytics. IGS also operates an integrated enrichment and leadership programme (iLeader, Eco iLeaders) and delivers large-scale creative-arts productions (Les Miserables, Battle of the Bands) involving over 100 students each.

The school's go-to-market is community-led: prospective families are reached via open evenings, Year 6 transition events, the IGS Wharfe Valley Primary Sports League, and the Moorlands Learning Trust and Red Kite Alliance networks. Headcount stands at 105 staff and admissions are managed through the Bradford local-authority process. IGS holds an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating and an SSAT Educational Outcomes Award, with 2025 GCSE results materially above national averages (67% grade 5+ in English & Maths, 85% grade 4+).

Name

Ilkley Grammar School

Legal name

Moorlands Learning Trust

Website

https://ilkleygrammarschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Non-selective state-funded academy secondary school in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, serving students aged 11-19. Operating as the founding school of Moorlands Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust spanning nine schools across West Yorkshire and Leeds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literacy & ELA Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAF), Social Studies & Civics Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAI)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• GCSE qualifications
• Sixth form education
• Academy school
• Peripatetic music lessons

Headquarters

HQ city

Ilkley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Academy Status): As a non-selective state academy, Ilkley Grammar School is funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) under the Moorlands Learning Trust MAT structure. Core revenue is derived from per-pupil funding allocations from the UK government.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ilkley Grammar School is a non-selective state-funded academy school delivering secondary education (Years 7-11) and post-16 education (Years 12-13) to students in Ilkley and the wider West Yorkshire area. It offers a broad curriculum across 25+ GCSE subjects and A-Level/Level 3 qualifications, alongside enrichment programmes such as peripatetic music lessons, drama productions, leadership development, and extracurricular sport. The school operates within the Moorlands Learning Trust Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).

Product overview

Ilkley Grammar School offers a comprehensive educational program for students in Years 7-13, functioning as a non-selective academy within the Moorlands Learning Trust. The school's product portfolio includes academic curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 covering core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science), humanities, creative arts, and social sciences. Enrichment programs include the Noteability music lesson program (peripatetic instrumental and vocal instruction), Creative Arts productions, iLeader leadership opportunities, and Eco iLeaders sustainability initiatives. The school also provides an iPad program for student learning, sports clubs managed through Spond, and various support services including inclusive learning, mental health resources, and remote education provision.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondary Education (Key Stage 3 and 4)
• Post-16 Education (Sixth Form)
• Noteability Peripatetic Music Lessons
• Venue Hire
• Sustainable Uniform Sale

Quantifiable outcome

• 67% of students secured grade 5 or higher in English and Maths; 85% achieved grade 4 or higher in English and Maths; 6% year-on-year improvement in English and Maths pass rate; 35%+ of all grades at grade 7/distinction or above; 2701 total grades awarded in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Music Local / LaunchpadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2025Music Local is a not-for-profit organisation supporting the Yorkshire music community. Launchpad is its emerging talent development programme. IGS partners with Launchpad for the Red Kite Battle of the Bands event, receiving workshops on music career pathways from Launchpad's Youth Progression Coordinator. The partnership provides recording sessions, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for student musicians. Supported by Youth Music, Arts Council England (National Lottery), and Leeds City Council.
• The Wardrobe (Leeds)minorOthers · 23 January 2025Professional music venue in Leeds that hosts the annual Red Kite Battle of the Bands event. The venue provides professional sound and production capabilities for the student performance event.
• Moorlands Learning TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2017Ilkley Grammar School converted from a single academy trust to multi-academy trust (MAT) status on 1 July 2017, forming Moorlands Learning Trust. IGS is the founding and flagship school of the trust. The MAT has since expanded to include 8 additional schools: The Skipton Academy (joined 2019), Ashlands Primary, Burley Oaks Primary, Eastburn Primary, Menston Primary, Nidderdale High School (joined 2023/24), Benton Park School (joined 2025, first secondary school in Leeds), and Talbot Primary School (joined 2025, first Leeds primary school). The trust supports shared skills, experience, talent, and capacity across member schools.
• Red Kite AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRed Kite Alliance is a partnership of Yorkshire schools and institutions across all phases of education (inner city and rural) that share skills, experience, talent, and capacity to improve learning and achievement. IGS hosts and organises the annual Red Kite Battle of the Bands on behalf of the alliance. IGS is also the hub for the alliance's teacher training programme.
• The Skipton AcademyminorOthersFirst partner academy to join Moorlands Learning Trust in 2019. Part of the MAT network.
• Ashlands Primary School, Burley Oaks Primary School, Eastburn Primary School, Menston Primary School, Nidderdale High SchoolminorOthersFive schools that joined Moorlands Learning Trust in 2023/24, expanding the MAT into the primary phase.
• Benton Park SchoolminorOthersBenton Park School became the first secondary school in Leeds to join Moorlands Learning Trust in 2025.
• Talbot Primary SchoolminorOthersTalbot Primary School joined Moorlands Learning Trust in 2025 as the first primary school from Leeds to join the trust.
• Leeds Beckett UniversityminorOthersLeeds Beckett University's School of Arts provides recording studio sessions with professional producers as a prize for the Red Kite Battle of the Bands winners.
• Friends of King's Hall and Winter GardensminorOthersLocal community organisation that enabled IGS pupils to perform at the King's Hall venue in Ilkley. Provided the prestigious performance opportunity for the annual Music Showcase event.
• Ilkley Round TableminorOthersLocal community organisation that has invited IGS student bands to perform at events such as the Ilkley Half Marathon. Also participated as a judge in Battle of the Bands competitions.
• Noteability Music TutorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPeripatetic music teachers providing instrumental and vocal lessons at the school. Tutors include John Wells (Guitar/Bass/Uke), Michelle Wells (Woodwind), Morgan Griffiths (Brass), Mark Lewalski/Rob Carruthers (Drums), Amy Freston/Heather Lowe (Singing), Clare Richards (Strings/Piano), and Nathalie Topalian (Piano/Keyboard/Singing). Approximately 30 lessons per academic year.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Harris Federation: Large London-based multi-academy trust operating 50+ primary and secondary academies across England. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a state MAT running secondary schools, though significantly larger and more geographically dispersed.
• Ark Schools: National UK MAT running 30+ schools across England with focus on educational outcomes for disadvantaged students. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a state secondary school operator with multi-academy trust structure.
• United Learning: Major UK MAT and independent schools group operating 60+ schools across the country with focus on academic excellence. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a state school trust with similar educational mission, though broader in scope.
• Oasis Community Learning: Large UK MAT operating academies and schools nationwide with a community-focused education model. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a state school trust operating secondary schools within multi-academy trust structures.
• E-ACT: National multi-academy trust running 30+ academies across England. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a state school operator with multi-academy trust structure, though much larger in scale and geographically dispersed.

Direct peers

• Northern Education Trust: Multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools across the North East and Yorkshire regions. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a regional MAT of similar size serving state secondary schools in northern England.
• Dixons Academies Trust: Yorkshire-based multi-academy trust operating a portfolio of secondary and primary academies recognised for strong academic results. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a regional MAT serving similar West Yorkshire communities.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: Multi-academy trust operating schools across the East Midlands and East of England focused on improving educational outcomes. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a regional MAT of similar scale operating state secondary schools.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Multi-academy trust operating 30+ primary and secondary academies across northern England with strong focus on academic outcomes. Highly comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a similar regional MAT serving West Yorkshire communities with state secondary schools.
• Reach Academy Trust: Smaller UK multi-academy trust operating a network of primary and secondary schools. Comparable to Moorlands Learning Trust as a state school trust of similar scale operating secondary schools.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ilkleygrammarschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/61580964553093
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilkleygrammarschool_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ilkley-grammar-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ilkley Grammar School