Valley Academy, Bradford
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Valley Academy creates a warm, welcoming environment where all pupils feel valued and safe. The school has significantly improved teaching quality and provides excellent support for vulnerable pupils and those catching up academically. Pupils benefit from a broad curriculum that celebrates diversity, develops their understanding of different cultures and faiths, and prepares them well for their next steps with ambitious careers support.
Key Strengths
- Teaching has improved significantly with high ambition across subjects and effective modelling of new learning
- Strong support for vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs, helping them access the wider curriculum
- Rigorous monitoring of attendance with effective strategies to support positive attendance and reduce persistent absence
- Inclusive culture celebrating diversity through events like 'This is Me' days and strong careers programme
- Positive pupil behaviour supported by clear school values, genuine care and firm boundaries
Areas for Improvement
- Further work needed to improve consistency in teaching across subjects
- Attendance remains a significant priority despite rapid improvements
- Some trust systems still in transition following recent move
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Art clubs, enterprise clubs, football, careers fairs, employer visits, Year 11 leadership programme, anti-bullying ambassadors
Valley Academy is a school where pupils typically learn the skills and knowledge they need to do well, with improved achievement in 2025 particularly in English and mathematics. Leaders have brought about effective change with high expectations for all pupils, supported by a warm and inclusive school culture.
At a Glance
52.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
21.7
Avg class size
16
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
356 pupils
375 capacity
19 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Bradford
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Bradford
Admissions Demand - Bradford
Places available
7,315
Applications
7,685
Got 1st preference
77.4%
Got preferred school
93.7%
Secondary admissions across Bradford (2025/26)
Inspection History(14)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
13.95758%
Overall absence
39.41606%
Persistent absence
411
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Valley Academy
Green Lane Primary School
Dixons Manningham Academy
Islamic Tarbiyyah Preparatory School
Atlas Community Primary School
Iqra Primary Academy
Westminster Church of England Primary Academy
Westbourne Primary School
Miriam Lord Primary School
Lilycroft Primary School
Poplars Farm Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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