Mount School York’s impressive academics and diverse co-curriculars makes for happy pupils – open day March 7

The leading girls’ day and boarding school in the North, The Mount provides an exceptional academic and pastoral environment. The Good Schools Guide (2025) says it best: “The Mount is a place of calm compassion in the heart of the city.”

The Mount is very proud that its A Level results were the highest in York for 2024, with 83% of grades A*- B and 50% A*- A, resulting in them again being ranked in The Sunday Times’ Top 10 Schools North for Academic Performance 2025.

The school was also delighted to be a finalist in Small Independent School of the Year for two years running. Judges said: “Classes are small. The whole staff body know pupil names and can advise them throughout school and beyond.”

New Head, Anna Wilby, a highly experienced educator, who attended Oxford University and the Royal College of Music, has already made a great impact and brings energy and drive to the school. She says, “I’m so enjoying working with our talented staff to provide an exceptional education, with excellent exam results and diverse and engaging co-curricular opportunities, and to promote our compassionate and nurturing ethos.”

Co-educational prep school

Following popular demand from families who want their children to attend school together, The Mount Prep School is now co-educational. They currently welcome boys up to Year 2, expanding to Year 3 in September 2026. The unique ‘Explore, Discover, Create’ topic-led Prep School curriculum is an innovative way of teaching through independent thinking where curiosity leads.

As the leading girls’ school in the North of England since 1785, The Mount Senior School provides more than just an education; they provide an environment where girls are the centre of every conversation. They understand that teenage girls thrive when their education is bespoke; at The Mount, academic and pastoral care is tailored to the specific way girls learn, lead, and grow.

Anna Wilby added: “In an all-girls’ setting, pupils feel more comfortable speaking up, trying new things and pushing themselves academically, especially in subjects where girls are still underrepresented nationally like physics, computer science and economics. At The Mount there is no pressure to hold back, no fear of judgement, just space to grow. Our teaching is tailored to how girls learn best, encouraging not only knowledge but independence and self-belief.

Anna continues: “We also believe in nurturing skills for the future: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, digital literacy and emotional intelligence; the keys to unlocking opportunity in a world that is global, fast-paced and constantly evolving.”

Looking to the future with AI

To align with these aims, Anna recently appointed AI expert, Dr Beth Lane, to lead computer science. She has taught computing, in all-girls’ independent schools in London, alongside running her own digital enterprise, The Institute of AI Education. This cutting-edge addition to the faculty puts The Mount at the forefront of AI in education. Dr Lane’s recent full-capacity public lecture on ‘AI Literacy’ highlighted the school’s firm commitment to high-quality STEM teaching.

Last September, The Mount launched an exciting new award programme, Ignite, in Sixth Form where girls are rewarded with a Bronze, Silver or Gold Head’s award to celebrate a portfolio of skills outside of academics such as volunteering, life skills and leadership opportunities.

Guided by Quaker values, The Mount provides a compassionate ethos where pupils are instilled with confidence in their own voice and empowered to become ambitious global citizens driven by conscience and curiosity. Mount pupils are open-minded, with a questioning attitude, becoming the change they wish to see. The school’s values combine ‘making a positive contribution’ with ‘striving for personal excellence’ which parents find is the perfect balance for a holistic, modern education.

Learning beyond the classroom

Pupils excel in so many ways, not just academically. They test themselves beyond the school gates, such as at the Bath Model United Nations for public speaking, regional competitions in all academic fields, such as the UK Maths Trust and Physics Olympics, and national performing arts contests like The Great Big Dance Off, where they made the finals recently. Girls have also ranked highly at the esteemed, international Dance World Cup for the last three years. Many pupils take LAMDA exams, most achieving Distinctions and the school is the first ‘All Steinway’ piano school in Yorkshire with fourteen pianos across the site. ABRSM music results are exceptional with 100% pass rate.

The school’s leafy, historical 16-acre campus is evolving. An extensive master-planning programme is underway, which will very soon see a new state-of-the-art dance studio, plus exciting future developments including a new DT workshop and modernised preschool.

See for yourself

Nothing beats a visit. Come and hear from current pupils: Whole School Open Day, Saturday 7 March 2026, 10am-1pm.

Book with Admissions on 07919 118872 or 01904 667500, or visit the website here