The best Leeds schools to consider

As you’d expect from a bustling city with just under 800,000 residents, Leeds has an abundance of schools dotted throughout its suburbs and surrounding villages. If you’re considering moving into one of Strata’s new homes in Leeds with your family, we’ve rounded up some of the best schools in Leeds to help you make an informed decision.

6 of the best primary schools in Leeds

There are around 140 primary schools in Leeds, so there’s a lot of research required in order to find one that suits your personal requirements and preferences. To make it a little easier, the following five Leeds primary schools were all rated Outstanding by Ofsted in their latest inspection, plus we’ve assembled some key information for each one.

Beecroft Primary School

Address: Eden Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2TF

Age range: 3-11

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2010)

This great primary school is just 10 minutes away from our community of new homes in Leeds at our Entice development. As well as achieving Outstanding status in 2010, a school Inspector who visited Beecroft Primary School in 2018 confirmed the school’s reputation with this impressive statement: "Beecroft really is a special place and staff work as a highly effective, cohesive team where everyone, including pupils are expected to do their very best. Staff are justly proud of being part of the Beecroft story."

Beecroft Primary School places emphasis on creativity within the curriculum, with music, art, drama, design and technology each given the attention, resources and focus they deserve. Unlike many schools, all children are taught to play a musical instrument from an early age. This makes Beecroft a particularly suitable Leeds primary school for families that adore the arts.

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School

Address: Halton Moor Avenue, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 0HA

Age range: 4-11

Latest Ofsted rating: Good (2018)

As the name suggests, Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, not far from our Kudos collection of new homes in Leeds, is a core part of the city’s Catholic community and as such, the Gospel values permeate all aspects of school life. Hard work, determination and creativity are encouraged in pupils and teachers alike, creating a safe, happy and nurturing learning environment, with equal opportunities for all. This makes Corpus Christi a very popular Catholic primary school in Leeds and a great place for kids to learn about the world.

Meanwood Church of England Primary School

Address: Green Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4LD

Age range: 4-11

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2013)

Known for its warm welcome and friendly atmosphere, Meanwood Church of England Primary School is a community school that “flourishes under the guidance of the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

Working closely with its nearest church, Holy Trinity Meanwood, this Leeds primary school near our Entice community has close ties with its local community and puts a strong focus on Christian values. That being said, parents are given the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education lessons and daily worship if preferred, as the school prides itself on maintaining a multicultural pupil population.

Shadwell Primary School

Address: Main Street, Shadwell, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 8JF

Age range: 5-11

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2009)

Nestled in the delightful village it’s named after, Shadwell Primary School prides itself on having an inclusive, caring and family-focused ethos and treating its pupils as individuals. Aspirations for the future are very much encouraged even at the earliest age, allowing children to explore the world around them and decide their own futures.

Tranmere Primary School

Address: Ridge Close, Guiseley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS20 8JJ

Age range: 5-11

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2009)

Tranmere Primary School has a particularly inspiring school mantra: “Be yourself. Be your best. Be Team Tranmere.” This sets the scene for a Leeds primary school that works hard to ensure that children thoroughly enjoy their Primary years. This is achieved by providing pupils with everything they need for personal and social development, physical fitness, access to the arts, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in foreign languages. 

Wigton Moor Primary School

Address: Barfield Crescent, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 8RU

Age range: 4-11

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2011)

“Everyone learns and everyone achieves because everyone matters” is the motto of Wigton Moor Primary School, a place where each child is made to feel valued for their natural talents and gifts as well as their academic achievements. 

Parents are encouraged to play an active part in their children’s education, giving young ones the best chance possible of achieving excellence in everything they do. Wigton Moor Primary School is also committed to ensuring equality of provision throughout its community, with its comprehensive Equality Objectives Statement updated as recently as June 2021.

5 of the best secondary schools in Leeds

If your kids are a bit older, we’ve also made a list of some of the best high schools in Leeds. The following five secondary schools were awarded Outstanding status by Ofsted in recent years, making them excellent choices for families moving to Leeds.

Allerton High School

Address: King Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 7AG

Age range: 11-18

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2018)

“Enabling young people to achieve success” is the motto of Allerton High School which is located ten minutes from  Entice, and with 85% of its Year 11 cohort achieving 9-4 grades in English and Maths in 2019, the school very much stands up to this ethos. Meanwhile, 82% of its A-level grades were A*-C, 59% were A*-B, and an impressive 35% were A* or A, making it a strong choice when deciding between Leeds secondary schools. Allerton High School is located 

Garforth Academy

Address: Lidgett Lane, Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 1LJ

Age range: 11-18

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2013)

Garforth Academy is another excellent (or should we say outstanding) example of the secondary schools in Leeds. Garforth Academy has a very simple yet powerful slogan: “Changing lives”. 

A vibrant and enriching educational environment, this Leeds high school is dedicated to ensuring that students are fully prepared and equipped to enter the competitive world of work and further studies.

Roundhay School

Address: Gledhow Lane, Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 1ND

Age range: 4-18

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2013)

Established in 1903, Roundhay School has grown into one of the largest, most diverse and oversubscribed schools in the UK. As well as top grades and fantastic grounds, this Leeds high school also greatly supports its local community by organising events and projects, offering community learning projects, and constantly seeking out new collaborative partnerships. Located just ten minutes from the new homes at our Ambition development, it’s a great pick for families looking for a school that will help their children flourish for the long term.  

St. Mary's Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy

Address: Bradford Road, Menston, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 6AE

Age range: 11-18

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2014)

Located in beautiful Ilkley, St. Mary’s Menston adheres to the following school mission statement: “We are a pilgrim school and we journey with Mary to become the person God intends us to be.” This takes different forms throughout a pupil’s years at St. Mary’s Menston, which are as follows:

Year 7: Belonging

Year 8: Choices

Year 9: Responsibility

Year 10: Challenges

Year 11: Discernment

Year 12: Formation

Year 13: Flourishing

Through this strong ethical infrastructure, all of the staff at St. Mary’s Menston strive to inspire, motivate and empower every child. 

The Morley Academy

Address: Fountain Street, Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 0PD

Age range: 11-18

Latest Ofsted rating: Outstanding (2013)

Rounding off our list of the best secondary schools in Leeds, The Morley Academy provides a truly positive and engaging learning environment. Its methodology revolves around six core values: student centred, autonomous learning, self-discipline, exceeding expectations, tenacious leadership, and working in collaboration.

A very fine Leeds high school, The Morley Academy is also the founding academy of the GORSE Academies Trust, which prides itself on providing the highest level of education to all students, regardless of background.

For more insight into reasons why Leeds is the place to be for families, check out our Leeds city hub for more information, and discover our stylish and contemporary developments of new build homes across Leeds.