Alde Valley Academy is a secondary school in Leiston, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Alde Valley Academy currently has around 674 pupils on roll, which is about 120% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.7% boys and 49.3% girls. Around 30.0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 8.4%. Persistent absence is recorded at 25.8%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (87.5%).

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Requires Improvement. This means the school has areas that require improvement. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 89% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (71%) , including 42% who stay in school sixth forms and 27% progressing to further education , while 8% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Seaward Avenue, Leiston, IP16 4BG
Website: http://www.aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk
Telephone: 01728830570
School Type: Academy sponsor led
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Suffolk
Headteacher / Principal: Headteacher Gavin Hetherington
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 141236

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 09/07/2024

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 16
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 560
Number of Pupils: 674
Number of Boys: 342
Number of Girls: 332

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 8.4% 4%
Persistent absence: 25.8% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British87.50%590
Other Mixed4.20%28
Other White3.30%22
Unclassified1.50%10
White and Black Caribbean0.90%6
White and Asian0.60%4
African0.60%4
White and Black African0.40%3
Other Black0.30%2
Indian0.30%2
Other Asian0.10%1
Chinese0.10%1
Other (any other ethnic group)0.10%1
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
Pakistani0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Well below average (-0.78)
Of the 84 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 81 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-0.78
Local authority average
-0.55
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
17%
Local authority average
12%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
15%
Local authority average
20%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
35.9
Local authority average
33.7
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
3.0
Local authority average
2.8
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
89%

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Leiston Primary School
King George's Avenue , IP16 4JQ
- not rated 251 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Leiston Primary School
King George's Avenue , IP16 4JQ
- not rated 251 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Coldfair Green Community Primary School
Judith Avenue , Knodishall IP17 1UY
- not rated 2,264 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Coldfair Green Community Primary School
Judith Avenue , Knodishall IP17 1UY
3out of 4 2,264 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Alde Valley Academy
Seaward Avenue , IP16 4BG
2out of 4 0 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School
Alde Valley School
Seaward Avenue , IP16 4BG
- not rated 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Middle deemed secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Leiston Middle School
Waterloo Avenue , IP16 4HF
- not rated 1,110 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Compass Community School Aylward Park
Crown Street , Leiston IP16 4AX
- not rated 711 yd Other independent special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Summerhill School
Westward Ho , LEISTON IP16 4HY
- not rated 1,370 yd Other independent school No Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.