Valley Academy
Bradford, BD8 7DX · Bradford · secondary school
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26th of 35 secondary schools in Bradford we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.8/10 against 287 of them, against 2.5/10 nationally. 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 | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 42.7 · 44 | 30% | 1.32 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.01 · 2 | 25% | 0.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.1 · 24 | 10% | 0.24 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Valley Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Debating Club, Green Society, Science Club, Study Club, School Newspaper Club, and Performance Club. Sports include archery, basketball, boxing, fencing, ju-jitsu, and swimming. Arts and music options cover dance, DJ’ing, and photography. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 356 pupils against a stated capacity of 375. 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 close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8 scores? How does the new Ofsted framework
What Ofsted said about Valley Academy
Overview
Valley Academy is fulfilling the expected standard of education, with leaders having brought about effective change over time. The report highlights a positive school culture where pupils feel safe, valued, and well-prepared for their next steps in further education or training.
Strengths
- Pupils typically learn the skills and knowledge they need, with achievement improving in 2025, particularly in English and mathematics.
- Attendance is rapidly improving due to leaders’ rigorous monitoring and strategies that create a "culture of belonging".
- Staff demonstrate "genuine care and firm boundaries," resulting in calm lessons and constructive relationships.
- The curriculum is sequenced carefully, with teachers adapting well to meet the needs of vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils celebrating diversity through events like ‘This is Me’ days and benefiting from an effective careers programme.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is consistently taught well across all subjects.
- Leaders should continue to refine their actions to secure high attendance for all pupils.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 30.8 |
| 2024/25 | 38.7 |
| 2025/26 | 41.1 |
| 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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