Vale of York Academy
York, YO30 6ZS · York · secondary school
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8th of 9 secondary schools in York we can score. 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 — 4.0/10 against 899 of them, against 4.3/10 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 | 42.6 · 44 | 30% | 1.31 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.06 · 46 | 25% | 1.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.7 · 32 | 10% | 0.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Vale of York Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 51.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.06 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Band, Microscopy, Photography, British Sign Language, and Science. Sports options cover Netball, Football, Rugby, and Badmilling. Arts activities include Art, Drama, and Electronics. The school offers DofE Award trips and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 656 pupils against a stated capacity of 905. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Vale of York Academy
Overview
Vale of York Academy has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a school where pupils “embody the school’s ethos of ‘always giving their best’” and feel “happy, safe and valued.” Inspectors found that the school provides a “broad and balanced curriculum” with “clear routines,” resulting in pupils who are “polite and respectful” and achieve well across subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils are “focused and behave well” in lessons, rising to the “high expectations set by adults.”
- Teachers “explain new ideas clearly” and use “modelling and scaffold work” to help pupils produce “independent extended writing tasks to a high standard.”
- The school “accurately identifies where pupils need extra help,” ensuring those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same curriculum and receive targeted support.
- A “well-designed personal, social, health education programme” prepares pupils for “life in modern Britain,” while a strong careers programme helps them make “informed decisions about their next steps.”
- Staff are “proud to work at the school” and value opportunities for professional development, supported by effective challenge from the trust.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure that some pupils, including disadvantaged ones, “attend school regularly enough” so they can access the same learning as their peers.
- The school should provide more opportunities for pupils to “read independently” and engage with “subject-specific reading” to widen their vocabulary and knowledge.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.7 |
| 2024/25 | 45.3 |
| 2025/26 | 42.7 |
| 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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