Principal's Welcome

It is a privilege to introduce myself as the new Principal of The Skipton Academy. Having been part of this wonderful school community for the past seven years, I am delighted to continue our journey of growth and success in this new role. I would also like to thank Mr. Richard McManus, who now takes on the role of Executive Principal for Moorlands Learning Trust, for his outstanding leadership and support in shaping the academy into the thriving school it is today.

At The Skipton Academy, we are proud of our brilliant students, whose hard work, talent, and determination inspire us daily. They are supported by a dedicated and passionate staff team, who go above and beyond to create an ambitious and caring learning environment. Equally, we are fortunate to have the encouragement of supportive parents and carers, who play such an important role in helping every child to flourish.

Our ethos of Belong, Challenge, Inspire lies at the heart of everything we do. It guides us in creating a school where every student feels valued, where they are stretched to achieve their very best, and where they are motivated to pursue their goals with confidence and enthusiasm.

The Skipton Academy is now oversubscribed, a testament to the confidence our community places in us. With excellent GCSE results and continued improvements year on year, we are proud to be recognised as a school that provides high-quality education and life-changing opportunities for all of our students.

I look forward to building on these successes and to working closely with Mr McManus, our students, staff, parents, and the wider community to ensure The Skipton Academy continues to go from strength to strength.

Warm regards,

Mark Cook

Principal

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After seven years as Principal at The Skipton Academy it is with great excitement that I begin the role of Executive Principal. Looking back at seven years leading The Skipton Academy I am delighted with the transformation the school has experienced in all areas. Summer 2025 saw our best ever results at GCSE and we continue to be oversubscribed, with the school having  more students on roll than at any time in recent history. This is a testament to the strong links between staff, students, families and the community. We live and breathe our ethos of Belong, Challenge, Inspire and demonstrate them in our daily actions. I am excited to still be working closely with Principal Mark Cook, to support him to lead the school to even greater success in the future. I will continue to work with Mr Cook and his team whilst also working more widely across Moorlands Learning Trust. 

Our Trust is based on the values of integrity, collaboration and empowerment.  Put simply, our goal is to enable every student within our care, from whatever background and starting point, to receive an exceptional education and achieve their very best. 

At MLT, professional trust and integrity are at the core of our work; we respect the importance and value of individual schools having and retaining their own unique character, and recognise that schools know their local communities best. We therefore take a bespoke approach to working in partnership with our schools according to their particular needs and context, through being part of MLT, all schools learn from and challenge each other.  For The Skipton Academy this gives all staff the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other secondary schools in the Trust such as Ilkley Grammar School, Benton Park School and Nidderdale High School and work together to improve provision by drawing on the best practice and expertise from across the Trust, to enhance the achievement of all students and to enrich their lives and the opportunities that they have. 

As Executive Principal I want all students to feel valued and be inspired to thrive in all areas; I want parents and the wider community to continue to be proud of The Skipton Academy and proud of being part of MLT . The school has already achieved a great deal and with MLT helping the school on its improvement journey I believe it will quickly progress to even more amazing achievements.   

Richard McManus

Executive Principal