Valley School

  • Special
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Outstanding

Whitehaven Road, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 1ENOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Valley School is a special school in Stockport for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 131 schools in Stockport. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in February 2011.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 February 2011, report published 15 March 2011

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 June 2026

Pupils flourish at Valley School. Leaders have adapted the provision carefully to each pupil's unique strengths and needs. A team of skilled staff provides excellent support for pupils' educational, health and care needs. Parents and carers work in close partnership with staff and express deep gratitude towards the school for the support it provides. Each morning, enthusiastic staff welcome pupils with warmth and compassion. The school is a happy and often joyful place. Staff delight in seeing pupils grow and develop. Pupils are proud of their achievements, which they celebrate in weekly assemblies. Pupils receive excellent help to improve their communication. They learn to readily express their needs, wants and thoughts. This gives them control and boosts their independence. In keeping with the school's motto, pupils make 'small steps, giant strides'. The improvements that pupils make in their social, emotional and physical skills are frequently life changing. During their time at the school, pupils become more aware of themselves and each other. They learn to take turns and share, as well as how to handle disappointments and challenges. Pupils contribute to the school's culture of kindness, which ensures that bullying does not happen. Expert staff help pupils learn well. They are deeply invested in each pupil's journey and use their knowledge to pitch learning at just the right level. This helps to ensure that pupils are exceptionally well prepared for life after Valley.

What the school should improve

  • Governors should ensure that their oversight of the curriculum and teaching is as robust as it is for other aspects of the school's work.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

13 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Pupil numbers and mix

56 pupils on roll, with places for 53

Eligible for free school meals53.6%

53.6%, 27.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language12.5%

12.5%, 9.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Valley School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Willow House School1 mileOfsted: Requires improvementNot published
Royal School, Manchester1 mileOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Oakgrove School2 milesOfsted: Good8% met the expected standard
Aurora Summerfields School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Pear Tree Specialist Support High School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published

School details

School type
Community special school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Ms Helen McLoughlin
Address
Whitehaven Road, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 1EN
Local authority
Stockport
URN
106168

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.