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The Valley Leadership Academy

Rossendale, OL13 0TGSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Sep 2023
Progress 8
-1.08
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.3×
Not oversubscribed
47 1st-choice / 139 places
Ranking
#3,044
of 3,141 nationally

About The Valley Leadership Academy

The Valley Leadership Academy in Rossendale is a secondary school that currently serves 589 pupils against a capacity of 1,050, meaning it has significant room to grow. The proportion of students eligible for free school meals stands at 44%, which is notably high and reflects the school's intake in a community with considerable socioeconomic need. For the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 117 total applications for 139 places, making it undersubscribed with an oversubscription ratio of 0.84. Only 47 first-preference applications were recorded, suggesting that local families are not yet prioritising the school in large numbers. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and caters for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form provision. Headteacher Colette Roberts leads a school that, based on these figures, is still building its reputation and local demand.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressFearns Moss, Bacup, Rossendale, OL13 0TG
HeadteacherColette Roberts
Local AuthorityLancashire
Number of Pupils589
Free School Meals (FSM)44.0%
School Capacity589 / 1,050 (56% full)

The full report on this school

What 13 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

19 Sept 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 24 Oct 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
ICT SuiteSwimming PoolSports HallArt StudiosMusic RoomsPlaying FieldsSixth Form CentreChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

DanceSwimmingHockeyTennisAthleticsGymnasticsRoundersBasketballCricketMartial Arts

Clubs & Activities

DramaModel United NationsChoirScience ClubCodingArt ClubFilm ClubChess

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingLearning DifficultySevere LearningMulti-SensoryOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Valley Leadership Academy

The Valley Leadership 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.