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The Valley Leadership Academy
Requires Improvementgraded 19/09/2023Ages 11–16589 pupils
The Valley Leadership Academy is a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Bacup, within the Lancashire local authority. The school has around 589 pupils on roll. It was most recently inspected by Ofsted in 19/09/2023 and continues to develop its provision for pupils. Recent GCSE results show an average Attainment 8 score of 29.5 and 33% of pupils gaining a grade 5 or above in English and maths. Families comparing secondary schools in Bacup can view The Valley Leadership Academy's Ofsted rating, GCSE results and exact location free on NestScope.
Ofsted & inspectionRequires Improvement
Overall effectiveness & sub-judgements
Quality of educationRequires Improvement
Behaviour & attitudesRequires Improvement
Personal developmentGood
Leadership & managementRequires Improvement
Last inspected 19/09/2023. How to read an Ofsted rating →
Strengths & watch points1 strengths · 4 watch
Computed from Ofsted & DfE outcomes vs England average
Personal development
Quality of education
Behaviour & attitudes
Leadership & management
Progress 8
Computed from published Ofsted judgements & DfE outcomes — not a written review.
GCSE results — Key Stage 4Below average
Attainment 832.6
England avg 45.1 · was 29.6 in 2023/24
Progress 8-1.1
Grade 5+ English & maths31%
England avg 45% · was 32% in 2023/24
Grade 4+ English & maths50%
England avg 65% · was 40% in 2023/24
EBacc entry33%
England avg 39%
EBacc average point score2.92
England avg 4.03
DfE, 2024/25. What is a Progress 8 score?
Pupil intake41.9%
Free school meals41.9%
England avg 28.6%
English not first language2.2%
England avg 18.3%
Places filled76%
SEN support
EHC plan
DfE school census, 2025/26
Attendance & staffing83.8%
Attendance83.8%
England avg 91.0%
Pupils per teacher16.7
England avg 17.6
Persistent absence47.8%
England avg 25.8%
Teachers with QTS
DfE — absence & workforce, 2025/26
Nearby schools in Bacup
All schools in Bacup →Waterfoot Primary SchoolGood · 0.3 miBacup and Rawtenstall Grammar SchoolInadequate · 0.4 miSt Anne's Church of England Primary SchoolGood · 0.6 miSt Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School, Newchurch0.7 miBacup Holy Trinity Stacksteads Church of England Primary SchoolGood · 0.7 miRawtenstall Newchurch Church of England Primary School0.7 mi
See the full area report for OL13 0TG →