The Aylesbury Vale Academy
Aylesbury, HP18 0WS · Buckinghamshire · all-through school
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28th of 36 secondary schools in Buckinghamshire we can score, 37 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.1/10 against 877 of them, against 3.3/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.0 · 17 | 30% | 0.51 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.07 · 55 | 25% | 1.38 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.0 · 29 | 10% | 0.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Aylesbury Vale Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024. In 2024/25, 25.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.07 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.3 out of 10 among them, against 2.9 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,857 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,440. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What support is available for pupils whose attainment is below the national median? How does the school maintain its Good rating while addressing the gap in Progress 8 compared to similar schools?
What Ofsted said about The Aylesbury Vale Academy
Overview
The Aylesbury Vale Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils of all ages enjoy their time and feel supported by staff. Leaders have designed a curriculum that builds knowledge systematically from early years through to sixth form, preparing pupils well for their next educational steps. The school fosters a strong sense of community, with pupils demonstrating politeness and a commitment to equality and inclusivity.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ambitious and coherent, with teachers using consistent methods in subjects like mathematics to help pupils apply learning with "increasing skill and confidence".
- Assessment information is used effectively to identify topics pupils need to revisit, allowing teachers to adapt lessons and meet the needs of pupils with SEND.
- Reading is a key priority, with "precise and effective" phonics teaching for early readers and targeted support helping weaker readers become more fluent.
- Pupils achieve well in national tests and examinations, with GCSE outcomes representing "strong performance relative to pupils’ starting points".
- The school provides engaging experiences, such as visiting local farms and hosting guest speakers, which help raise pupils’ aspirations and curiosity.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not systematically check how much pupils understand from tasks, leading to gaps in learning; leaders need to embed the rigorous approach seen in stronger areas.
- At times, books used by weaker readers do not align with their independent reading ability, which can impede their development of confidence and fluency.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.3 |
| 2024/25 | 39.8 |
| 2025/26 | 42.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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