Soar Valley College, Leicester

In its own words: "Soar Valley benefits from being a reasonably large school, and as such we are able to offer a wide range of subjects, and a wide range of experiences. But we also benefit from an ethos that is all about getting to know, and working with, each student as an individual."

From the headteacher's welcome: "The staff, governors and students would like to welcome you to Soar Valley College, a highly successful school with a distinctive character and ethos. We have an excellent reputation for the quality of the education we provide, and are very proud of our students and their achievements."

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 24 March 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Soar Valley College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.1 in Leicester and 47 across England.

50% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Leicester and 47% in England.

That is down from 51.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.74: pupils made well 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 42.7, against 52.7 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 10 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 313 families put Soar Valley College as their first choice and 821 named it as one of their preferences, for 317 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 31 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Soar Valley College are Rushey Mead Academy (0.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 56.8); Avanti Fields School (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 54.2); The Cedars Academy (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.4); and Moat Community College (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.9).

Soar Valley College's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Soar Valley College is one of 3 schools run by Aspire Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

43 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Soar Valley College (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 80% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (80%).

Of the 310 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 90% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 14% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 0% into work.

74% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (76%) and Black (8%).

In 2026, 188 pupils (12%) received SEN support and 35 (2.2%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Leicester North (Great Central Railway), about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Soar Valley College (opposite), 80 metres away.

In 2024/25, Soar Valley College issued 126 suspensions, 8.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Soar Valley College are Wyvern Primary School (0.2 miles), Herrick Primary School (0.3 miles), Rushey Mead Primary School (0.4 miles) and Mellor Community Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.