Vale of York Academy
Rawcliffe Drive, Clifton Without, York, YO30 6ZSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Vale of York Academy is a secondary school in York for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 70 schools in York. It ranks 10th of 13 secondary schools in York. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 November 2019, report published 10 December 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 February 2025
This is a school where an increasing number of pupils embody the school's ethos of 'always giving their best'. In lessons pupils are focused and behave well. They rise to the high expectations set by adults. The vast majority of pupils feel happy, safe and valued in school. There is an inclusive culture, where all are welcome, regardless of background. The school is ambitious for what pupils can, and will, achieve. All pupils study a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils achieve well across the curriculum and want to succeed. They develop positive relationships with staff. The school has established clear routines, which pupils follow consistently. They generally behave well in the dining hall and around the school. Pupils are polite and respectful to visitors. The school is ambitious for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Developments to the curriculum mean that learning is logically ordered from Year 7 to Year 11. This helps staff to build pupils' knowledge and skills securely over time. Pupils extend their experiences through after school clubs, sporting activities, musical productions, concerts, and studying for the Duke of Edinburgh's award. Pupils develop leadership skills and help others. The student council actively seeks pupils' views and shares them with senior leaders.
What the school should improve
- The school does not ensure that some pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, attend school regularly enough. This means that these pupils do not access the same learning as their peers. The school should ensure that these pupils are supported to improve their rates of attendance.
- There are too few opportunities for pupils to read independently and for subject- specific reading in the curriculum. This means that not enough pupils read widely and often and do not develop their subject-specific vocabulary as well as they could. The school should ensure that pupils read a range of texts in classrooms. It should also provide further opportunities for pupils to read their own chosen texts more regularly.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
142 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
656 pupils on roll, with places for 905
Schools near Vale of York Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Peter's School 2-18 | 0.8 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 25.7 |
| Bootham School | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 36.5 |
| Manor Church of England Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 54.0 |
| The Mount School (York) | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 48.0 |
| Huntington School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 48.2 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HEARTWOOD LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Alexis Green-Harding
- Phone
- 01904560000
- Address
- Rawcliffe Drive, Clifton Without, York, YO30 6ZS
- Local authority
- York
- URN
- 143864
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.