The Vale Academy

The school was previously a secondary modern. It became a comprehensive in September 1976, and a Music and Technology College in 2007. It joined the Schools Partnership Trust and officially became an academy on 1 September 2011.[3]

In 2011 the Vale had GCSE results of 69% at grades A*-C, which was above the local education authority's average of 52%.[4] The students at the school make good progress - in the last two years value added scores for student progress have been positive. The Sixth Form value added score is also positive for progress at 0.22 and A*-C grades at A level have risen to 86%.

In 2013 the school received a Grade 2 (good) rating for overall effectiveness in its Ofsted inspection.[5][6] This was consolidated with a shorter follow up inspection performed in 2017 where The Academy retained its good rating.[7]

In January 2017, the Vale moved into a new building. [8] [9] The old school buildings of Glanford and Westmoor Schools were demolished later that year along with a 3rd building which was formerly used for PE and Tech lessons.

The Vale Academy Admissions Policy conforms to the Local Authority (LA) policy on admissions.[10]

Years 7-11 provide places for approximately 162 pupils per year. At the beginning of the Autumn term of pupils’ final years at primary school, parents are issued with details of the arrangements for transfer to secondary school. They are invited to visit the schools, and to inspect copies of school prospectuses. Parents complete a Common Admission Form, (CAF), which is returned to the LA by the end of October in the school year before transfer, and parents receive notification of their child’s allocated school in March of that year. The admission limit at the Vale Academy is currently 162. This is reviewed annually by the Governing Body. The Vale Academy 2013 admissions status provides openings to all students for all years.[10]

• Guy Martin - Motorcycle racer and TV presenter.[11]