Best Secondary Schools in Kirklees 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 24 schools across Kirklees. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Kirklees has 24 secondary schools, of which 4 (17%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 18 rated Good — 92% of secondary schools in Kirklees are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Heckmondwike Grammar School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Kirklees follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

24
Total schools
4
Outstanding
17%
Outstanding rate
62.5%
Avg KS2 SATs
42.6
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Heckmondwike Grammar School
Secondary
 Good 90 View school
🥈 Holmfirth High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 83 View school
🥉 Moor End Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 67 View school
4. Salendine Nook High School Academy
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
5. Honley High School
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
6. King James's School
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
7. The Mirfield Free Grammar
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
8. Manor Croft Academy
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
9. Royds Hall, A Share Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
10. BBG Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
11. Castle Hall Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
12. All Saints Catholic College
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
13. Upper Batley High School
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
14. Newsome Academy
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
15. Thornhill Community Academy, A Share Academy
Secondary
 Good 57 View school
16. Whitcliffe Mount, A Share Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
17. Westborough High School
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
18. Colne Valley High School
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
19. Shelley College, A Share Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 52 View school
20. Spen Valley High School
Secondary
 Good 47 View school

Related lists for Kirklees

All schools in KirkleesPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in KirkleesReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Kirklees4 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Kirklees

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

Search schools in Kirklees

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Kirklees?
There are 24 secondary schools in Kirklees, of which 4 (17%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Kirklees?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Kirklees is Heckmondwike Grammar School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Kirklees?
Primary and secondary school applications in Kirklees are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Kirklees council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Kirklees?
17% of secondary schools in Kirklees are rated Outstanding and 75% are rated Good. 75.2% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.