Upper Wharfedale School’s new headteacher has high expectations and ambitions for the future, after spending seven years as deputy head of the school.

Andrew Taylor, who took up his new post this term, said: “Upper Wharfedale School is a privilege to be a part of, with a strong and experienced team of senior leaders and governors supporting well-motivated staff, students and parents.

“My priorities are based on a relentless focus on learning and teaching in order to raise standards and aspirations to promote lifelong learning.”

However, he said that this will not be easy, given the recent Government changes to school performance tables.

“We will need to create an appropriate balance between what is ‘right’ for our students and community, and what is ‘right’ in terms of national benchmarks and comparisons between schools,” Mr Taylor said.

“Only by continuing to work in partnership and building on existing relationships with other schools, colleges, business, industry and the local community, will we maximise the flexibility and potential that our future curriculum offers.”

Following the publication of the latest league tables last month, Skipton Girls’ High School was highlighted after it came fifth in the country for GCSE results.

But Mr Taylor said all Craven secondary schools were worthy of praise.

“Of course, it is quite correct that both Skipton Girls' and Ermysted’s students and staff are congratulated for what are excellent results in terms of headline figures, as reflected in the recently-published performance tables,” he said. “However, we are very fortunate that all our secondary schools in the Craven area provide a high-quality education for our young people, and within the selective system it is arguably even more important to recognise the progress made by our learners in terms of value added.

“We are extremely proud at Upper Wharfedale School that 100 per cent of our students gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C in the summer, and with a value added score of 1047.9, this places us ahead of all other schools in North Yorkshire, second within Yorkshire and Humber, and within the top one per cent of schools nationally.

“By prioritising transition and collaboration with local primary schools, we will undoubtedly enhance student confidence, progression and achievement, not to mention better value for money and sustainability of the high quality education we have in the area.”