Classpot

Alde Valley Academy

East Suffolk, IP16 4BGSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Jul 2024
Progress 8
-0.33
Below average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
113 1st-choice / 113 places
Ranking
#2,308
of 3,141 nationally

About Alde Valley Academy

Alde Valley Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.33 places it below the Suffolk local authority average of -0.17, meaning pupils here make less academic progress between Year 7 and Year 11 than their peers across the county. That gap is modest but consistent across subjects: the school’s Progress 8 scores are negative for English (-0.19), maths (-0.27), the EBacc subjects (-0.35), and open qualifications (-0.45). The school ranks 30th out of 48 secondary schools in Suffolk, putting it in the bottom half of the authority. Its Attainment 8 score of 40.6 is also below the national average, and only 30% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 95 measure), compared with 58.9% at grade 4 or above. The EBacc entry rate is low at 12.2%, and just 2.2% of pupils entered the full EBacc and achieved a grade 5 or better. These figures suggest a school where academic outcomes are a clear area for improvement.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressSeaward Avenue, Leiston, East Suffolk, IP16 4BG
HeadteacherGavin Hetherington
Local AuthoritySuffolk
Number of Pupils674
Free School Meals (FSM)30.0%
School Capacity674 / 560 (120% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

9 Jul 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Requires improvement
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 16 Sept 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
Swimming PoolLibraryTennis CourtsICT SuiteDining HallSports HallTheatrePlaying FieldsScience LabsSixth Form CentreGymnasiumMusic RoomsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

GymnasticsDanceFootballBadmintonMartial ArtsSwimmingHockeyNetballRowing

Clubs & Activities

OrchestraGardeningArt ClubCodingScience ClubNewspaperChessYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysical

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:40 – 15:00

Breakfast club

08:00-08:40

Source: aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Alde Valley Academy

Alde Valley Academy has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.