Valentines High School

Valentines High School is performing exceptionally well, with pupils achieving remarkable academic success across the curriculum. Attainment in national tests significantly exceeds national averages, and disadvantaged pupils, along with those with special educational needs, make excellent progress. The school's inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging, and pupils enjoy high levels of attendance and exemplary behaviour, contributing to a positive school culture. The school's focus on personal development is evident through a rich extracurricular programme and a well-structured careers advice system that prepares pupils effectively for their future endeavors.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve remarkably well across the curriculum.
• High grades in English and mathematics at GCSE.
• Strong support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
• Exceptional attendance and behaviour of pupils.
• Inclusive environment driving pupils' success.
• Effective leadership fostering professional development.
• Learning atmosphere promoting collaboration and respect.

Areas for Improvement

• Need to further strengthen pupils' oracy skills.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Valentines High School attended 93.9% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 16.5% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 3.8% of pupils at Valentines High School were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Valentines High School had 20.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 5.2% of pupils at Valentines High School were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 4.2% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Valentines High School received £7,998 and spent £8,054 for each of its 1,358 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £453,000 (£334 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Redbridge · Redbridge local authority: places and applications

What is Valentines High School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Valentines High School is Strong standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Valentines High School last inspected by Ofsted?

Valentines High School was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Valentines High School have?

Valentines High School has 1,357 pupils on roll.

What age range does Valentines High School cover?

Valentines High School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Valentines High School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 57.3, and 70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Valentines High School?

Valentines High School is at Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex, IG2 6HX.