Valence School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 June 2025

Pupils embody the school's values, including independence and resilience. They show this in their hard work and determination in all the activities they undertake. Pupils build deep and trusting relationships with staff. They know that staff will help them to address any concerns they have. The school has built a strong community that pupils and staff contribute to positively. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe. Pupils behave exceptionally well. All pupils have a clear voice in the school. They elect their school council members. These representatives take part in recruitment interviews and work with leaders to identify improvements to the school. Pupils and staff work together carefully to address issues in school effectively. They share their views confidently. Pupils consider views that differ to their own with great maturity. They know that all adults consider their views sensitively. Pupils have multiple and complex barriers to learning. However, there is no limit to the aspirations for pupils. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. They help them to achieve this through a deeply personalised approach. This helps pupils to learn the skills and knowledge they need. As a result, pupils achieve very well.

What the school should improve

• The school does not provide pupils with careers information and guidance they need. As a result, a small number of pupils are not as well prepared for their next steps as they should be. The school needs to ensure that the curriculum for pupils' careers advice and guidance contains all the relevant information and opportunities for them to make informed choices regarding their next steps

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)