Vandyke Upper School
| Type | Secondary / Academy converter |
| Age Range | 13-18 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Vandyke Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 3DY |
| Phone | 01525636700 |
| Reference Number | 137169 |
Vandyke Upper School continues to demonstrate a good standard of education, reflecting its clear ambition for students to become 'world ready citizens'. Pupils display pride in their school, engage actively in a broad curriculum, and achieve well across all measures, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school environment is positive, with a focus on character development, safety, and community involvement that contributes to both personal and academic growth. The inspection recognized effective leadership and careful planning to maintain high educational standards, especially in preparing students for their next educational steps or careers.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 1507 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.9%
Girls: 49.1% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 14.8% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 5% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 21.4 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 210 | 176 | 386 |
| 10 | 185 | 169 | 354 |
| 11 | 171 | 183 | 354 |
| 12 | 94 | 97 | 191 |
| 13 | 107 | 115 | 222 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 79.4% |
| Unclassified | 7.3% |
| White, Other | 4.4% |
| Mixed, Other | 1.9% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 1.7% |
| White & Asian | 1.7% |
| White & Black (African) | 1% |
| African | 0.6% |
| Caribbean | 0.5% |
| Indian | 0.3% |
| Asian, Other | 0.3% |
| Irish | 0.2% |
| Pakistani | 0.1% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 23 Jan 2024 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 23 Jan 2024 | School inspection |
| 03 May 2018 | Short inspection |
| 10 Mar 2015 | Full inspection: |
| 13 Jan 2014 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 22 Oct 2013 | Monitoring visit |
| 24 Apr 2013 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Feb 2012 | Academy conversion letter |
| 17 Oct 2011 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 23 Mar 2010 | Full inspection: |
| Previously as Vandyke Upper School and Community College | |
| 23 Mar 2010 | Full inspection: |
| 13 Dec 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 13 Dec 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 28 Jan 2002 | Full inspection |
| 28 Jan 2002 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Pupils are articulate ambassadors for their school and behave well.
- The curriculum is broad and ambitious, meeting pupils’ needs effectively.
- Teachers have strong subject knowledge and use assessment well.
- A significant proportion of pupils participate in extracurricular activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
- The school provides effective support for students with SEND, ensuring they achieve well.
- Pupils receive skilled support to improve their reading and literacy skills.
- The school has a highly effective approach to careers education.
Areas for Improvement
- Some teachers have not effectively planned the teaching of difficult concepts, which impacts some pupils' understanding.
Points
| Points | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Points | 34.99 | ||
| Average Points (best 3) | 36.98 |
Grades
| School | Local | Nationwide | |
| Average Grade | C+ | C | C+ |
| Average Grade (best 3) | B- | C+ | C+ |
| Percentage | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students getting AAB or better | 14.5% |
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| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 136 | 0 |
| Third Preference | 2 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 0 | 0 |
Previous Years
Sample
UnlockDestinations after GCSE's
| Staying in Education | |
| > Further Education | |
| > School Sixth Form | |
| > Sixth Form College | |
| > Other Education | |
| Apprenticeships | |
| Employment | |
| Not in education or employment | |
| Unknown |
| Name | Distance |
|
Gilbert Inglefield Academy
Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3FU |
0.12 miles |
|
Beaudesert Lower School
Appenine Way, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3DX |
0.45 miles |
|
The Rushmere Park Academy
East Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1EW |
0.53 miles |
|
Heathwood Lower School
Heath Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3AU |
0.73 miles |
|
Dovery Academy
Heath Road, Dovery Academy, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3AG |
0.75 miles |
|
Brooklands Middle School
Brooklands Drive, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3PF |
0.78 miles |
|
Clipstone Brook Lower School
Brooklands Drive, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3PG |
0.78 miles |
|
Leedon Lower School
Highfield Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3LZ |
0.89 miles |
|
The Mary Bassett Lower School
Bassett Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1AR |
1.06 miles |
|
Leighton Middle School
Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1EX |
1.17 miles |
|
Pulford CofE VA Lower School
Pulford Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1AB |
1.21 miles |
|
St Leonards CE Academy
Thrift Road, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 0AX |
1.46 miles |
|
Linslade Lower School
Leopold Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2QU |
1.6 miles |
|
Southcott Lower School
Bideford Green, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2UA |
1.72 miles |
|
Linslade School
Mentmore Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2PA |
1.83 miles |
|
Greenleas School
Derwent Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2AB |
2.11 miles |
|
Stanbridge Lower School
Tilsworth Road, Stanbridge, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 9HY |
2.47 miles |
|
Hockliffe Lower School
Woburn Road, Hockliffe, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 9LL |
2.54 miles |
|
High Ash Church of England Primary School
Pound Hill, Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, Buckinghamshire, MK17 9AS |
3.11 miles |
|
Overstone Combined School
Church Street, Wing, Buckinghamshire, LU7 0NY |
4.06 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Benjamin College
Benjamin UK, Coach House, White House Court, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1FD |
0.84 miles |
|
Oak Bank School
Sandy Lane, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3BE |
0.88 miles |
|
Cedars Upper School
Mentmore Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2AE |
1.87 miles |
|
The Cottesloe School
Church Street, Wing, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, LU7 0NY |
4.06 miles |