SchoolScoresSpen Valley High School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of The Spenborough Co-operative Trust
Roberttown Lane, Liversedge, WF15 7LX
01924 405451 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 March 2022.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
189 pupils in this year group.
24% — 22 points below the Kirklees average, and 21 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kirklees | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 24% | 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. | 35.7 | 46.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
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.
181 pupils in this year group.
86% — 6 points below the Kirklees average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kirklees | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 86% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 9% | 16% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 25% | 33% | 13% |
| Further education college | 36% | 35% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 9% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 86% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 Kirklees. 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 offered | 179 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 167 |
| Of those, offered a place | 159 (95%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 527 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Kirklees | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.4% | 29.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7% | 13.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 19th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 20.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 22nd lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Lower than 29% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 20th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.7% | 21.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Lower than 41% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5 | 26.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 15th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 8.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.31% | 0.21% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 19th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 24% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 16th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Kirklees. Higher than 74% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1% | 14.4%* | 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
- Heckmondwike Grammar School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Brian Jackson College 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected
- The Mirfield Free Grammar 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), some aspects weaker 2024 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Castle Hall Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Whitcliffe Mount, A Share Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Westborough High School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Branch Christian School 2.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Batley Grammar School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cambridge Street School 2.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Spen Valley High School's Ofsted rating?
Spen Valley High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 March 2022.
How did Spen Valley High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 24% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Spen Valley High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 167 families put Spen Valley High School as their first choice for 179 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 159 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 107778.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.