The Aylesbury Vale Academy

Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 19 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class · Sixth form

Part of THE AYLESBURY VALE ACADEMY

Paradise Orchard, Aylesbury, HP18 0WS

01296 428551 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 22 January 2019; confirmed 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths25%England 45% · 2024/25
9th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 10% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,857Room for 1,440 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,428 in 2019, 1,696 in 2021, 1,777 in 2022, 1,814 in 2023, 1,816 in 2024, 1,831 in 2025, 1,857 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.8145 for 189 places, September 2026
9th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 22% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 January 2019.

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
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Leadership and managementGood
Early yearsGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 9 May 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

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

Aylesbury comparisons use the 8 of its 11 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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 schoolAylesburyEngland
My child is happy at this school
5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Aylesbury.
Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84% 86% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Aylesbury.
Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84% 90% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
6th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Aylesbury.
Higher than 34% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
71% 82% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 56 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Aylesbury.
Higher than 56% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
52% 49% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 87 parents who had raised a concern
6th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Aylesbury.
Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
69% 74% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Aylesbury.
Higher than 48% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79%said yes 84% 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. Aylesbury figures pool parents at the Aylesbury 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

Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25

62 pupils in this year group.

73% — 8 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths 73% 65% 62%
Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths 8% 11% 8%
Met the expected standard in reading 85% 80% 75%
Met the expected standard in writing 81% 73% 72%
Met the expected standard in maths 81% 76% 74%
Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 108 107 106
Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 108 106 105
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
50% 60% 70% 80% England 2022/23: 60%England 2023/24: 61%England 2024/25: 62% This school 2022/23: 67%This school 2023/24: 74%This school 2024/25: 73% This school England 62% 2022/23 67% 2023/24 74% 2024/25 73%

Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

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

237 pupils in this year group.

25% — 33 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and 20 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 25% 59% 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. 39.8 53.4 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.4 4.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 33%This school 2023/24: 31%This school 2024/25: 25% This school England 45% 2022/23 33% 2023/24 31% 2024/25 25%

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.

236 pupils in this year group.

90% — 5 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and 2 points below the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 38%44%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 90% 95% 92%
School sixth form 38% 61% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 5% 13%
Further education college 44% 22% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 2% 3%
Work 3% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%90%

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

8 A level students in this year group.

Only 8 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Average A level grade D B B-
A level exams graded A* or A 0% 42% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 17% 69% 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. 21.4 40.4 35

Average A level grade, over time

2022/232023/242024/25
Not publishedNot publishedD

A level subjects, 2024/25

2 subjects, 6 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Psychology, English Language and Literature.

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.

38 students in this year group.

79% — 6 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 79% 85% 79%
Apprenticeship 0% 5% 7%
Work 29% 25% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
73%79%

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.

15 students in this year group.

53% — 20 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and 7 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 53% 73% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 0% 38% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
41%53%

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 Buckinghamshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?

For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered189
Families who put it first145
Of those, offered a place137 (94%)
Families who listed it at all446

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8

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.

How hard is it to get in (Reception)?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered60
Families who put it first72
Of those, offered a place51 (71%)
Families who listed it at all206

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2

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.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Buckinghamshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
25.1% 14.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.7% 3.1%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
19.8% 11.0%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
20.9% 19.1%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Lower than 45% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.6% 7.9%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
7th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
24.0% 22.4%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
7th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
16.7 11.5 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Lower than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.8% 4.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.11% 0.07% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 86% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.8 17.4 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.6 12.2 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Aylesbury.
Higher than 47% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
12.7% 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

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

Questions parents ask

What is The Aylesbury Vale Academy's Ofsted rating?

The Aylesbury Vale Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 January 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 9 May 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did The Aylesbury Vale Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 25% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The Aylesbury Vale Academy?

79% of the 107 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend The Aylesbury Vale Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is The Aylesbury Vale Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 145 families put The Aylesbury Vale Academy as their first choice for 189 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 137 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.