Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby Bridge

In its own words: "At Ryburn, we believe in the power of individual potential. Our school is built on four fundamental values that guide everything we do: honesty, kindness, respect, and endeavour. Our motto, 'Strive to Excel', isn't just a phrase-it's a promise. We challenge our students to push boundaries, embrace opportunities, and develop the skills and confidence to succeed in an ever-changing world."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, tennis, dance, drama, art, photography and film.

In 2026, pupils at Ryburn Valley High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 49 in Calderdale and 47 across England.

62% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 51% in Calderdale and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 48.7.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.21: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.4, against 52.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 17.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 261 families put Ryburn Valley High School as their first choice and 481 named it as one of their preferences, for 254 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 21 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Ryburn Valley High School are Trinity Academy Grammar (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.4); The Halifax Academy (2.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.6); The Crossley Heath School (2.3 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 73.2); and The Calder Learning Trust (2.7 miles, Attainment 8 49.5).

Ryburn Valley High School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Ryburn Valley High School is one of 9 schools run by Together Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 270 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 24% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 111 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 56% went on to university or other higher education, 8% to apprenticeships and 17% into work. 13% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

3.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 148 pupils (9.3%) received SEN support and 85 (5.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

The nearest railway station is Sowerby Bridge Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ryburn Valley High School, 110 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Ryburn Valley High School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 3rd decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Ryburn Valley High School issued 719 suspensions, 44.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 7 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Ryburn Valley High School are Trinity Academy St Peter's (0.2 miles), Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy (0.4 miles), Triangle CofE VC Primary School (0.5 miles) and New Road Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.