A school in Darwen is today celebrating being labelled officially ‘good’ by Ofsted - after being told it ‘required improvement’ at the last inspection. 

Darwen Vale High School has been graded ‘good’ in all areas, meaning that the school’s quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development are all rated as ‘good’ by school inspectors.

More than a decade ago it received an ‘inadequate’ grade.  

The school has been on a journey of improvement since the school became part of Aldridge Education multi-academy trust in 2014. Principal Matthew Little joined in 2017, with a mission to make changes at the school.

Those enhancements are recognised in the latest Ofsted report, which highlight the ‘rapid improvements’ made to the school’s curriculum, the ‘calm and purposeful learning environment’, and the fact that all pupils, including those with special educational needs (SEND), feel ‘safe and happy’ at school.  

According to the report, teachers are “equipped with strong subject knowledge and useful teaching strategies” meaning pupils learn new content well.

Appropriate action is taken to tackle the low attendance of pupils, especially those with SEND. The school is working effectively with families and external agencies to understand and remove the barriers that cause pupils to be absent, which is helping to reduce the rate of pupil absence.

The report has also highlighted areas where the school could improve, including even closer consideration of SEND pupils when delivering the curriculum, providing more effective support for pupils to help them overcome gaps in their reading knowledge and providing opportunities to expand pupils’ knowledge of life beyond the classroom.

Jane Fletcher, CEO of Aldridge Education, the Trust of which Darwen Vale is part, said: “We’re really pleased with the result of this inspection, which wasn’t an easy experience for the team at Darwen Vale. But their resilience and commitment shone through, and this is a proud day for all involved.

“What is so clear to me is that many of our Aldridge values and ways of working can be found at Darwen Vale. There is a real sense of enriching and engaging learning going on in every classroom, the team here work with integrity, and everyone is driving towards that standard of excellence.

“Of course, there is always more we can all do, always things we can do better or smarter - but the ‘good’ rating here shows how far Darwen Vale has come, and we’re looking forward to supporting the school in going from strength to strength.”

Matthew said: “An Ofsted inspection is always a nerve-wracking and stressful time for schools, particularly when you know just how much hard work your team has put into making the school better for our students.

“I am so proud that all that hard work was recognised, and it’s fantastic that every area of Darwen Vale has been recognised as ‘good’.

“What a brilliant testament to the dedication, effort and care of the team of people here – whether that’s our teachers or the support staff who keep the wheels turning every day.

“And ultimately, this is brilliant news for our students and their families too. Everything we do is for them, and they deserve to have the best possible learning experience which prepares them to take their next steps after school life.”

Darwen Vale High School has a long history in the Darwen area. It opened in 1894 as Darwen Higher Grade School, becoming Darwen Grammar School in 1929. The school moved to its current location in 1938 and continued until 1972 when, under the reorganisation of the education system across the country, it became Darwen Vale High School.

The school buildings were opened in 2012 following a £24million revamp under the Building Schools for the Future programme. The site had been closed for two years (the school temporarily relocated) while large sections of the original structure were demolished and rebuilt. The existing front of the building was retained and cleaned up to keep the character of the old Grammar School.