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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 147018

The Valley Leadership Academy

Academy sponsor led · Bacup · OL13 0TG

Ages 11–16 · 578 pupils · Lancashire

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

29.6

Overall absence

16.2%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-04-21

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-1.08
−20+2
Attainment 829.6
English & maths grade 5+32%
English & maths grade 4+40%
EBacc entry59%

EBacc APS: 2.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence16.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)47.8%
Unauthorised9.7%
Authorised absence
6.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
12.3%
Enrolments in measure
709

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill55%

578 pupils · 1,050 places

Pupils on roll
578
Boys / girls
288 / 290
School capacity
1,050
Capacity fill
578 / 1,050 (55%)
Free school meals
41.9%
FSM pupils
242
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: STAR ACADEMIES
Academy trust
STAR ACADEMIES
Sponsor
Star Academies
Headteacher
Ms Colette Roberts

Location

Address
Fearns Moss
Postcode
OL13 0TG
Town
Bacup
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Lancashire
District
Rossendale
Constituency
Rossendale and Darwen
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bacup, Lancashire, 578 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 41.9%.

Open schools in Bacup
10
Secondary schools in Bacup
1
Academies among open schools in Bacup
20% (2)
Open schools in OL13
10
Secondary in OL13
1
Open schools in Lancashire LA
709
Secondary in Lancashire LA
81

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BacupNear OL13

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Colette Roberts
Telephone
01706873896
Website
https://www.thevalleyleadershipacademy.com/

Official links