Tees Valley College

Tees Valley College is a small independent school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, most of whom join having been out of education for significant periods. This inspection, the first since a change of headteacher and most senior leaders, found the school meeting the expected standard across all evaluation areas, with safeguarding standards met and all independent school standards met. Pupils make effective progress through an increasingly broad and ambitious curriculum, and outcomes have improved, with more pupils gaining basic qualifications in English and mathematics. Staff know pupils well and provide highly tailored support, including for those with SEND, and relationships between staff and pupils are a notable strength. Persistent absence remains too high, although leaders have introduced successful strategies and attendance is improving. Teaching is often strong but not yet consistently so across all subjects and for all pupils. The school has also not made the most of opportunities to work with local employers to broaden pupils' career ambitions. Overall, leaders have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development, and their improvement priorities are well judged. The school's strong moral purpose and commitment to nurturing disadvantaged young people underpin its work.

Strengths

• Pupils make effective, and sometimes rapid, progress through the curriculum
• Pupils with SEND are at the heart of curriculum and teaching choices
• High-quality facilities support practical subjects such as motor vehicle maintenance, hair and beauty, construction and hospitality
• Excellent relationships between staff and pupils are central to the school's success
• A highly effective personal development programme, including tailored PSHE, careers education and enrichment
• Leaders have successfully improved attendance over time and pupils now attend better
• Staff are well trained and knowledgeable, and their expertise has grown with the school
• Governors ask the right questions and fulfil their statutory duties effectively
• Staff wellbeing and workload are carefully considered when changes are made
• Parents and carers are actively encouraged to be involved in the school community
• Pupils feel safe and know they can speak to a member of staff if worried
• Bullying is rare and dealt with effectively

Areas for Improvement

• Persistent absence is still too high, meaning some pupils miss significant amounts of education
• Teaching is sometimes not as consistent as leaders expect
• The school has not made the most of opportunities to work with local employers to enhance pupils' career ambitions

In 2025–26, 47.7% of pupils at Tees Valley College were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 52.3% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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

What is Tees Valley College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Tees Valley College is Expected standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Tees Valley College last inspected by Ofsted?

Tees Valley College was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Tees Valley College have?

Tees Valley College has 44 pupils on roll.

What age range does Tees Valley College cover?

Tees Valley College for pupils aged 11 to 19.

What are Tees Valley College's GCSE results?

In 2025 its average Attainment 8 score was 6.2, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Tees Valley College?

Tees Valley College is at Sotherby Road, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, TS3 8BT.