Welcome to Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Welcome to Kirkby Stephen Grammar School (KSGS)Kirkby Stephen Grammar School is a successful and continually improving 11–18 school set in the beautiful landscape of the Upper Eden Valley. With around 350 students on roll, including a thriving sixth form, we are small by design – and proud of it. Our size allows us to know every child as an individual, tailoring support and challenge so that every student can reach their full potential.We are a school with a big heart and a strong sense of community, where staff and students look out for one another. Our teachers go the extra mile, not only in lessons but also in preparing young people for life beyond school. We encourage our students to aim high, to work hard, and to believe in themselves.At KSGS, learning stretches far beyond the classroom. We excel in sport, music, drama, and the arts, offering a rich programme of trips, clubs, and leadership opportunities. We are proud to lead the Eden Valley School Sport Partnership, which develops PE and sport across five secondary schools and thirty primary schools in the local area.Since joining Cumbria Education Trust (CET) in December 2024, our students have benefited from even more opportunities. Highlights so far include the CET Innovate Competition, hosting a CET Year 4 Sports Event, Be the Best You Can Be Week, the CET Student Excellence Awards, and our choir representing CET at the University of Cumbria graduation ceremonies. Looking ahead, we are excited about further collaborative events with schools across the Trust.CET are also investing heavily in our facilities, with a £1.2 million programme of building works and upgrades to improve the learning environment for all our students. We are incredibly grateful for this investment in our school and community.To sum up what makes KSGS special, our students captured it best in this short acrostic:K – Knowledge that inspires us to achieve our bestS – Supportive staff and students who care for one anotherG – Growth through opportunities in lessons, sport, arts, and beyondS – Success built on community, confidence, and pride in our schoolMost of all, KSGS is a place where young people feel valued and included, with the confidence to succeed and the ambition to go further.I warmly invite you to visit us at one of our school events or Open Evenings to experience for yourself what makes our school such a special place to learn and grow.Nic TweddleHead of School
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Boarding Type
No Boarder
School Type
Secondary, Sixth Form
Suitable Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
No. of Students
388 Total
No. of Boys
190 (49.0%)
No. of Girls
198 (51.0%)
Academic Excellence
GCSE Results
Latest Examination
6.1%
Students achieving A*/A grades (9/8/7)
A-Level Results
Sixth Form Performance
A* grades
1.75%
A*/A grades
21.05%
Leavers' Destinations
Destinations after GCSEs
Staying in education
70%
School
79%
England
Apprenticeships
19%
School
3%
England
Further education
School sixth form
Sixth form college
Other education destinations
Destinations after A-Levels
UK higher education
65%
School
1%
England
Apprenticeships
6%
School
19%
England
Higher education or training
Further education
Employment
Not sustained in education/employment
Courses
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We're currently gearing up to offer you a full list of our courses. Stay tuned — amazing learning opportunities are on their way very soon. Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm!
Events
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A detailed admissions process on ApplicaaOne is coming soon.
Please see our website for more information on our admissions process.
Admissions Process
Go to School WebsiteKey Dates & Deadlines
Oct 31, 2025
Deadline for Applications
Term Dates & Half-Term Holidays
Planning ahead for school holidays? Below are the term dates and half-term dates for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Autumn
2 terms
Half Term 1
Sep 1 - Oct 24
Half Term 2
Nov 3 - Dec 19
Spring
2 terms
Half Term 1
Jan 5 - Feb 12
Half Term 2
Feb 22 - Mar 31
Summer
2 terms
Half Term 1
Apr 19 - May 28
Half Term 2
Jun 7 - Jul 21
Half-Term & Holiday Dates
Autumn Half Term
Oct 27 - Oct 31
Christmas Break
Dec 20 - Jan 4
Spring Half Term
Feb 13 - Feb 19
Easter Break
Apr 1 - Apr 18
Summer Half Term
May 29 - Jun 5
Alumni Stories
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We’ll be sharing information about the destinations of our alumni here soon.
Enrichment Activities
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