Vale of York Academy, York

In its own words: "Our vision is really very simple - “Life in all its fullness - a place to thrive”. Our ambition is that all our learners should experience “Life in all its fullness” and that we provide “a place to thrive.” At Vale of York Academy, we embrace the Trust’s vision and values within our own vision ‘Always giving the best’."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Here at Vale of York, our ethos is 'Always giving the best' . Our ambition is that all our learners should experience “Life in all its fullness” and that we provide “a place to thrive” through our core values of Kindness, Respect and Teamwork."

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

In 2026, pupils at Vale of York Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 49.5 in York and 47 across England.

43% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 52% in York and 47% in England.

That is down from 45.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.06: pupils made about 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 27.5, against 48.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 20.9 points.

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

For September 2026 entry, 109 families put Vale of York Academy as their first choice and 172 named it as one of their preferences, for 122 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Vale of York Academy are Manor Church of England Academy (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.4); Huntington School (1.7 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 49.9); All Saints Catholic School York (1.7 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 55.1); and Millthorpe School (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.2).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Vale of York Academy.

Vale of York Academy is one of 14 schools run by Heartwood Learning Trust, an academy trust.

60 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Vale of York Academy (as of September 2025): 72% would recommend the school, 72% say their child is happy there and 65% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (87%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (62%).

Of the 143 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 61% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 7% into work.

7.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 23 pupils (3.5%) received SEN support and 18 (2.7%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Rear Entrance, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Vale of York Academy (outside), 100 metres away.

In 2024/25, Vale of York Academy issued 401 suspensions, 57.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Vale of York Academy are Burton Green Primary School (0.4 miles), Clifton Green Primary School (0.5 miles), Clifton With Rawcliffe Primary School (0.6 miles) and Lakeside Primary Academy (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.