The Vale Academy
Wilbury Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4QPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Vale Academy is a primary school in Dunstable for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 5th of 19 primary schools in Dunstable. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 June 2025, report published 13 July 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 June 2025
The Vale's values permeate through everything that the school does. Staff and pupils know and demonstrate valour, aspiration, leadership and excellence. Expectations are high, and pupils respond positively to this. Pupils enjoy learning. The curriculum is exciting and engaging. Pupils achieve well. Pupils know that staff want them to do well with their learning. In lessons, pupils listen to the staff and each other. Most pupils respond to each other's thoughts and opinions respectfully. Pupils' motivation to 'SHINE' in lessons and gain the 'golden motivator' is high. The strong relationships that pupils have with each other, as well as with staff, shine through. As a result, pupils are happy and feel safe. Pupils are polite and well mannered. They know how they should behave and have contributed to the development of the behaviour systems, including the 'Vale walk'. Pupils know and follow this diligently as they move around the school. This contributes to a calm environment. Most pupils explore their interests through the wide-ranging clubs or sporting competitions that are on offer. Trips are extensive and link to a wide range of subjects across the curriculum. Pupils develop their confidence through the many leadership opportunities in well-being, sports, learning and teaching.
What the school should improve
- Some staff do not have the knowledge needed to teach a minority of subjects effectively. As a result, they do not present the key knowledge in these subjects clearly. Pupils do not learn as well as they could in these subjects. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge required to teach all subjects in the curriculum effectively.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
55 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
601 pupils on roll, with places for 563
Schools near The Vale Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hadrian Academy | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 56% met the expected standard |
| St Christophers Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 33% met the expected standard |
| Chantry Primary Academy | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
| Southfield Primary Academy | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 72% met the expected standard |
| St Martin De Porres Catholic Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jan Figueiredo
- Phone
- 01582211150
- Address
- Wilbury Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4QP
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- URN
- 138714
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.