It is my pleasure to welcome you to The Ruth Gorse Academy website. Here, you will find key information about our academy as well as valuable resources for students, parents, carers, and the wider community.
The Ruth Gorse Academy opened as a free school in September 2014 with just over 100 students in its first cohort. Since then, it has flourished and now serves over 1,270 students. The academy has gone from strength to strength, earning two ‘Outstanding’ judgements from Ofsted; the first in July 2017 and the most recent in October 2023. In 2024, we achieved the highest Progress 8 score in Leeds, an impressive +0.99, placing us among the top 3% of schools nationally for the second consecutive year.
The Ruth Gorse Academy is a truly special place, defined by warmth, ambition, kindness, and resilience, qualities inspired by our namesake, Ruth Gorse. Ruth was a remarkable teacher at The Morley Academy who, tragically passed away at just 35 years old. She played a pivotal role in transforming The Morley Academy from ‘inadequate’ to ‘exceptional’ demonstrating courage, determination, integrity, and a deep commitment to building strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues. These values remain at the heart of The Ruth Gorse Academy and continue to shape everything we do.
Our Core Values
Respectful Relationships
We foster respectful relationships so every young person and professional feels safe, valued, and supported in a thriving community. Through strong pastoral care, investment in our families, and a commitment to diversity through RSHE, PSHCE, and Culture Month, we promote inclusivity and mutual respect. Our excellence in inclusion was recognised through the NASEN Award in 2023 (National Association of Special Educational Needs).
Our ACE Ambassadors champion the nine protected characteristics, promoting allyship and a positive environment for all. Kindness and gratitude shape our interactions and reinforce our welcoming, supportive culture.
Resilience
We view challenges as opportunities for growth. All members of our community are supported to persevere, adapt, and thrive together. Our Enrichment++ programme, including the Big 3: Karate, Volleyball, and Rowing, encourages students to push beyond their comfort zones. Student resilience is also nurtured through our whole-school mental health and wellbeing strategy.
Rectitude
We act with integrity, choosing to do what is right, even when it’s difficult. We treat others fairly, take responsibility for our actions, and uphold strong moral principles. Guided by our Positive Discipline system, we regularly recognise and celebrate student successes, reinforcing the values that help them thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Reflection
We encourage thoughtful reflection in everything we do. By helping young people and staff understand the ‘why’ behind their experiences, we support them in learning from challenges and making intentional, informed choices that lead to personal growth and continuous improvement.
Together, our staff and students create a vibrant, engaging school where academic excellence, character development, and community spirit go hand in hand. At The Ruth Gorse Academy, we aim to ignite a flame of inspiration in every student, whatever their interest or ambition and we are committed to helping them live our motto: “Dare to achieve beyond what you are today.”
Saba Mir
Principal
