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Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #80 in Lancashire public Top 44% UK

The Valley Leadership Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted
personMr Shane Carey
corporate_fareSTAR ACADEMIES
location_onBacup, OL13 0TG
language Visit Website phone 1706873896
verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

585

trending_up

Attainment 8

32.6

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#81 in Lancashire

#3,123 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Valley Leadership Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Bacup, serving ages 11-16. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

article

School Summary

The Valley Leadership Academy is an academy sponsor led in Bacup, Lancashire, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of STAR ACADEMIES. The school has approximately 589 pupils on roll, of whom 47% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 32.6, placing the school #81 in Lancashire and #3,123 of 3,216 nationally. 30.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 6.1% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement, personal development Good, and leadership and management Requires improvement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.6× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.2:1. There are 4 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 6 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 15.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25
analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025
Progress 8 Score

-

Attainment 8

32.6

Grade 5+ E&M

30.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)6.1%
Entering EBacc32.90%
EBacc APS2.92
2024
Progress 8 Score

-1.08

vs National Avg
Attainment 8

29.6

Grade 5+ E&M

-%

Entering EBacc58.50%
EBacc APS2.74
2023
Progress 8 Score

-1.01

vs National Avg
Attainment 8

34.5

Grade 5+ E&M

-%

Entering EBacc69%
EBacc APS3.02
2022
Progress 8 Score

-0.88

vs National Avg
Attainment 8

32.9

Grade 5+ E&M

-%

Entering EBacc73%
EBacc APS3.06
2021
Progress 8 Score

-

Attainment 8

-

Grade 5+ E&M

-%

Entering EBacc68%
EBacc APS-
2019
Progress 8 Score

-

Attainment 8

-

Grade 5+ E&M

-%

Entering EBacc-%
EBacc APS-
explore

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025
Stayed in Education / Employment

78%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%
Apprenticeships1%
Employment1%
Not in Education / Employment (NEET)17%
2024
Stayed in Education / Employment

79%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)64%
Apprenticeships4%
Employment10%
Not in Education / Employment (NEET)15%
2023
Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%
Apprenticeships6%
Employment6%
Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%
2022
Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%
Apprenticeships6%
Employment8%
Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations
Academy First Section 5 EIF
Requires improvement
Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour
Requires improvement
Development
Good
Leadership
Requires improvement
Special Measures S5 ReInspection EIF
Inadequate
Education
No Judgement
Behaviour
No Judgement
Development
No Judgement
Leadership
Inadequate
None EIF
Inadequate
Education
No Judgement
Behaviour
No Judgement
Development
No Judgement
Leadership
Inadequate

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View all schools in Lancashire arrow_forward

Data sources: School information from GIAS (DfE). Ofsted inspection data from Ofsted. Performance data from DfE Performance Tables. Parent View data from Ofsted Parent View. Census data from DfE Explore Education Statistics. Rankings are computed by SchoolsInfo.uk using public DfE data. Data updated annually. Last refresh: March 2026. How we calculate rankings →

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general reference purposes only and is sourced from publicly available government datasets. SchoolsInfo.uk is an independent website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any school, local authority, Ofsted, or the Department for Education. Data may not reflect the current position of the school — always verify directly with the school or the relevant official body before making any decisions. School performance data relates to historical cohorts and may not be representative of current or future results. Rankings and composite scores are compiled by SchoolsInfo.uk and do not constitute an official government assessment. Nothing on this page constitutes professional advice.

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