Outwood Academy Valley

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of OUTWOOD GRANGE ACADEMIES TRUST

Valley Road, Worksop, S81 7EN

01909 475121 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 23 April 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths59%England 45% · 2024/25
9th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 80% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,721Room for 1,727 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,633 in 2019, 1,718 in 2021, 1,737 in 2022, 1,741 in 2023, 1,722 in 2024, 1,702 in 2025, 1,721 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0293 for 295 places, September 2026
21st highest of 44 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 60% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 23 April 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

154 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Nottinghamshire comparisons use the 24 of its 45 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 21 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
My child is happy at this school
17th highest of 24 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 22% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
71% 76% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 15th highest of 24 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 79% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 17th highest of 24 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
66% 70% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 75 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 13th highest of 24 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 34% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
44% 45% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 119 parents who had raised a concern
19th highest of 24 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 18% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
54% 61% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
17th highest of 24 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 18% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
61%said yes 70% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Nottinghamshire figures pool parents at the Nottinghamshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

291 pupils in this year group.

59% — 12 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 59% 47% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 50.4 46.8 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.6 4.2 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 60%This school 2023/24: 57%This school 2024/25: 59% This school England 45% 2022/23 60% 2023/24 57% 2024/25 59%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

283 pupils in this year group.

95% — 3 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 37%48%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 95% 92% 92%
School sixth form 37% 36% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 4% 13%
Further education college 48% 42% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 5% 3%
Work 3% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
92%95%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

100 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 18% 25% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 40% 51% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 30.5 34.6 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 29.4This school 2023/24: 30.1This school 2024/25: 30.5 This school England 35 2022/23 29.4 2023/24 30.1 2024/25 30.5

A level subjects, 2024/25

25 subjects, 273 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 44 0% 9% 19%
Mathematics 32 9% 28% 40%
Business Studies:Single 27 4% 26% 16%
Biology 26 15% 31% 27%
Law 21 0% 19% 17%
Chemistry 19 5% 32% 30%
Sociology 16 0% 0% 20%
History 13 0% 8% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 12 0% 8% 14%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 10 10% 10% 17%
English Language 9 0% 0% 13%
Government and Politics 8 0% 13% 26%
Art and Design (Photography) 6 0% 0% 26%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Mathematics (Further), Computer Studies / Computing, English Literature, Polish, Religious Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Geography, Physics, Design and Technology (Product Design), Spanish.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

128 students in this year group.

91% — 7 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 12 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 91% 84% 79%
Apprenticeship 12% 10% 7%
Work 30% 29% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
87%91%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

110 students in this year group.

74% — 11 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 14 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 74% 63% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 17% 23% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
69%74%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Nottinghamshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered295
Families who put it first293
Of those, offered a place290 (99%)
Families who listed it at all536

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Nottinghamshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
30th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.6% 25.2%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
29th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.3% 1.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
31st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.1% 10.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
12th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
13.1% 10.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
27th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.5% 8.3%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
15th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
19.6% 22.1%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
42nd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
78.7 30.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
28th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.5% 8.3% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded13 pupils 0.76% 0.25% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 12th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.2 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 13th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.9 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
39th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire.
Higher than 18% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
8.2% 12.6%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Outwood Academy Valley's Ofsted rating?

Outwood Academy Valley was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 April 2024.

How did Outwood Academy Valley do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 59% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Outwood Academy Valley?

61% of the 154 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Outwood Academy Valley to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Outwood Academy Valley oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 293 families put Outwood Academy Valley as their first choice for 295 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 290 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.