The school moved into a purpose-built campus in 2005, replacing its original 1950s buildings and creating a modern learning environment in Sowerby Bridge. Ryburn Valley began in February 1959 as a merger of Sowerby Bridge Girls' School and Sowerby Bridge Boys' School, becoming fully comprehensive in 1979. Today, with nearly 1,650 students across 11 to 18 years old, the school has grown from the original 600 pupils to become a significant educational hub in Calderdale. The latest Ofsted inspection awarded a Good rating in July 2022, affirming steady performance across teaching, learning, and pastoral care. Academic results place the school in the middle tier nationally (FindMySchool ranking), with positive momentum in progress measures. The school's distinctive feature is its character-driven ethos; students describe Ryburn as a place where they can "do what you want and be who you want to be."
The school operates as a comprehensive, mixed state secondary with a strong emphasis on character development and student leadership. Head of School Donna Watkins (appointed September 2023) leads a team committed to building high-performing, joyful learners. Executive Headteacher Dave Hewitt oversees the broader vision alongside an experienced leadership structure including Assistant Head Triestina Bozzo, who teaches drama and leads character education.
The atmosphere is purposeful yet inclusive. Students display high levels of commitment and engagement, with behaviour described as exemplary. Ofsted confirmed that pupils are exceptionally courteous and respectful to staff and visitors, with a calm, orderly environment maintained throughout the school. The four core values of Kindness, Honesty, Respect, and Endeavour underpin daily life. These are not symbolic; they shape decisions, recognition systems (the prestigious Ryburn Academy Awards reward values-based behaviour), and student leadership opportunities. The school emphasises character education alongside academics, which was recognised when Ryburn became one of the first three schools in the country to earn the Character Education Kitemark Plus from the Association for Character Education.
Community involvement runs deep. An annual Community Lunch brings parents, families, and students together. The school has partnered with local care homes on reminiscence projects, where students engage in intergenerational activities. Drama productions, including Beauty and the Beast, invite elderly residents to matinees. This outward-facing culture extends beyond performances; students participate actively in school governance, greeting visitors during recruitment interviews and helping lead assemblies.
In 2024, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 48.7, slightly below the England average of 45.9. This places Ryburn within the middle tier of comprehensive schools nationally. The average Progress 8 score of +0.21 indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points at GCSE entry, when measured against peers with similar prior attainment across England.
Approximately 47% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in both English and Mathematics, a benchmark measure of strong GCSE outcomes. The school ranks 2,027th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 44% of secondary schools — solid performance in line with the national typical band. Locally, the school ranks 2nd among Calderdale secondaries for GCSE outcomes.
The sixth form has become a particular strength. The pass rate for A-level students exceeds 99%, with virtually all students completing their courses successfully. At A-level, 4% of entries achieved A* grades and 13% achieved A grades, with 43% reaching A*-B. These figures place Ryburn Sixth in the middle tier nationally but with notably strong progress measures. According to the Department for Education's latest published data, Ryburn Sixth achieved the highest Progress 8-equivalent score in Calderdale and Kirklees, meaning sixth form students make the largest educational leap from GCSE to A-level of any sixth form or college in the surrounding region. This outstanding value-added metric demonstrates that the sixth form transforms students from below-average starting points into strong achievers. The school ranks 1,550th in England for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), in line with the national typical band.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
43.26%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching is characterised by clear structures and high expectations. Ofsted noted that teachers have strong subject knowledge and deliver well-differentiated lessons. The curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, reflecting the diverse needs of the school community. Media Arts remains a distinctive specialism; the school was awarded specialist status in this area in 2004 and continues to develop media, creative, and arts provision beyond standard offerings.
A notable innovation is the project-based curriculum for Key Stage 3 Mathematics, developed in-house by the Maths department. The Geometricity project is exemplary: all Year 7 students build one square of a large paper city using geometric nets and 2D/3D shapes, then combine their individual contributions into mini-cities. This hands-on approach makes abstract concepts tangible and encourages students to express their interests through mathematics (students voluntarily included local landmarks, shops, and personal favourites).
Special Educational Needs support is integrated throughout. Differentiated teaching, multiple strategies, and in-classroom support ensure that students with communication difficulties, learning needs, sensory impairments, or physical disabilities can access the mainstream curriculum. The Disport club provides additional enrichment and sport engagement for SEN students.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
The majority of Year 11 pupils progress to Ryburn Sixth (internal progression) or other further education providers. For those continuing locally, nearby secondary options include grammar schools for high-achieving students, further education colleges, and apprenticeship programmes. A small percentage of the 2023-24 cohort (aged 16) entered apprenticeships (6%), further education (6%), or direct employment (26%), reflecting the comprehensive intake and diverse career aspirations.
The sixth form is open to students from Ryburn and external applicants. Over 35 A-level and BTEC vocational subjects are offered, with flexible combinations allowing students to pursue three, four, or occasionally more subjects depending on ability and ambition. Recent cohorts have progressed successfully to university, with 42% of sixth form leavers (2023-24 cohort) entering university-level study. One student from Ryburn Sixth secured a place at Cambridge. The school provides career guidance through an in-house specialist and partners with C&K Careers Advisors, who maintain a drop-in office in the sixth form library on Fridays. Students can pursue the Extended Project Qualification (worth 28 UCAS points), university visits, and interview preparation.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 20%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
The extracurricular programme is extensive and genuinely diverse. The school offers around 50 different clubs and activities throughout the academic year, spanning sports, creative arts, academic enrichment, and skill-building. Rather than exhaustive listing, the most distinctive and well-established activities reveal the school's character:
Drama is at the cultural heart of Ryburn. The school stages ambitious annual productions — Beauty and the Beast involved large casts, orchestral accompaniment, and professional staging. Upcoming productions include Matilda the Musical, which promises to showcase student singers, actors, and technical crews. Drama is embedded in the curriculum and co-curriculum, with dedicated performance spaces used throughout the year. The school competes in regional competitions; students have won places in the Magistrates Court competition. The drama department, led by Miss Bozzo, creates pathways from lower school drama activities through to GCSE Drama and A-level Drama & Theatre Studies, nurturing sustained creative development.
Music provision spans classical to contemporary genres. Students can learn instruments, participate in ensemble groups, and pursue GCSE Music (with dedicated studio and recording facilities). A-level Music is offered, and the school maintains a strong culture of music-making through both curricular and co-curricular routes.
Sports facilities include modern sports halls (hosting fixtures and training), floodlit outdoor pitches (enabling evening and winter sports), and dedicated PE facilities. Clubs cover traditional sports — netball, football, rugby, badminton — and emerging interests. The school competes in local and regional fixtures across multiple sports. Physical Education is available at GCSE, A-level, and as a vocational option at sixth form. The Disport club specialises in inclusive sports engagement for students with SEN.
A dedicated STEM Club attracts students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics beyond the classroom. Students have participated in the Geometricity project and other hands-on engineering challenges. Computer Science is taught from Key Stage 3 through to A-level, with A-level Further Maths and various STEM vocational pathways available at sixth form.
Student leadership roles include Head Boy/Girl (elected by peers), year-level prefects, and specific leadership teams focused on topics like careers, character, and student voice. The Ryburn Academy Awards ceremony, now in its ninth year, celebrates achievements in academic, sporting, creative, and values-based categories. Students volunteer to mentor younger peers, help lead assemblies, and represent the school at community events. The school's Rights Respecting Schools programme (UNESCO-backed) trains students in understanding rights and responsibilities.
Additional offerings include karate, board games, reading groups, debating, careers workshops, international exchanges and expeditions, and work experience placements. The school notes that trips and expeditions are "a strong feature of life at Ryburn," with some involving international travel.
Ryburn Valley is comprehensive and non-selective at 11+. Admissions to Year 7 are coordinated through Calderdale Local Authority. The school is oversubscribed, with 509 applications for 254 places in the most recent admissions cycle (roughly a 2:1 ratio). Places are allocated by distance to school address, with siblings prioritised. No published distance threshold exists for recent years, as demand continues to grow.
The school has a resourced provision for students with identified SEND needs (8-place capacity), operating within the mainstream setting. Referrals and assessment for these places are coordinated through the Local Authority's SEND team.
Entry to Ryburn Sixth at age 16 is open to internal students (Year 11 who meet entry requirements) and external applicants from other schools. Students are interviewed, and entry requirements vary by subject (typically GCSE grades 5-6 in relevant subjects, depending on course ambition). Applications are made via an online form; the priority deadline is 2 February for September entry, though applications are accepted throughout the year subject to availability.
Applications
509
Total received
Places Offered
254
Subscription Rate
2.0x
Apps per place
The school's pastoral system is structured around year-level teams and form tutor groups. Each student has a dedicated tutor who knows them well and monitors progress. The inspection team rated support, guidance, and care as Outstanding, a judgement that parents strongly endorse (95% of parents in Ofsted Parent View questionnaires agree the school is well-led and kept their child safe).
Safeguarding is prioritised. The school holds multiple external quality marks: Healthy Schools Award, Artsmark Gold, Sportsmark, Safe Mark, Investors in People, Quality in Careers Standard, and Rights Respecting Schools (SILVER). These recognise investment in student wellbeing, creativity, sport, safety, professional development, careers guidance, and understanding of children's rights.
Specialist support includes:
Free school meals eligibility: approximately 23% of students receive free school meals, slightly above the national average.
The school day operates from 8:50am to 3:20pm, with a lunch break midday. Term dates follow the standard English school calendar (autumn, spring, summer terms, plus half-term breaks in October, February, and May). Specific term dates are published on the school website and updated annually.
Breakfast club and after-school care are available for families requiring early drop-off or late pickup. Specific times and charges should be confirmed directly with the school.
Public transport serves Sowerby Bridge well; the town is located on bus routes serving surrounding areas. Ryburn is not on a main railway line, but buses connect to Hebden Bridge (8 miles), Halifax, and Calderdale towns. Many students walk or cycle; the school provides secure bike storage. Car parking is available for staff and visitors, though on-street parking is limited during busy times. Local walking groups and cycling initiatives promote active commuting.
The school is situated on St Peter's Avenue in Sowerby, approximately 1.5 miles from the centre of Sowerby Bridge town. The postcode HX6 1DF can be used for sat-nav and planning journey times.
Oversubscription: Entry to Year 7 is competitive. Families living very close to the school have the best chance of securing a place. If the school is a preferred choice, early engagement with the admissions process and confirmation of your home address in relation to the school is advisable. The 2:1 application-to-offer ratio means most students living outside the immediate catchment area will not gain entry.
Mixed achievement across subjects: While sixth form results are particularly strong, GCSE attainment is solidly middle-tier. The school has published areas for development, including strengthening performance in some A-level subjects. This is not unusual for comprehensive schools with diverse intakes; students benefit from high expectations and support, but outcomes vary by subject specialism.
Character education emphasis: The school's identity is built on character development as much as academics. While this is a genuine strength and appeals to many families, it means the school culture is structured around defined values. Families seeking a school focused primarily on academic excellence without the character education framing should be aware this permeates daily practice.
Catchment area accessibility: Admission is heavily dependent on proximity to school. If you do not live within the immediate catchment and do not have a sibling already at the school, securing a place is very difficult. This is worth clarifying before planning to move the family or purchasing property near the school, as no distance threshold is published and demand is very high.
Ryburn Valley is a well-led, inclusive comprehensive secondary serving a genuine community purpose. Character development, pastoral care, and active student leadership are genuine strengths, backed up by strong Ofsted findings and parent endorsement. Sixth form results are particularly impressive, with value-added measures showing exceptional progress from GCSE to A-level. GCSE outcomes are solid but middle-tier; the school works hard to support diverse learners, including those with SEND, and celebrates progress rather than just attainment.
This school suits families valuing character education, inclusive practice, and a school that genuinely knows its students. The oversubscription means entry is challenging unless you live very close to the school. For families in the catchment area, it represents excellent value (state-funded, no fees), strong pastoral care, and a community-minded institution where leadership roles and active participation are accessible to all. The sixth form is a particular strength and increasingly attracts sixth formers from neighbouring schools.
Yes. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2022, with particular strengths in support and pastoral care (rated Outstanding). GCSE results place it in the middle tier nationally with above-average progress. Sixth form results are notably strong, with the highest A-level progress measure in Calderdale and Kirklees, indicating exceptional value-added between GCSE and A-level.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. The school is funded through the state education budget. The only costs are optional: uniform, school trips, extracurricular activities, and lunch (students can bring packed lunches or purchase school meals).
Admission to Year 7 is very competitive. The school receives roughly two applications for every place available. Places are allocated by distance to the school, with siblings prioritised. Unless you live very close to the school or have a sibling already enrolled, securing entry is difficult. Families interested in Ryburn should check their precise distance from the school and confirm with Calderdale LA before relying on a place.
The school offers around 50 different clubs and activities, including drama (with annual major productions), music, sports (football, netball, rugby, karate, badminton), STEM Club, reading groups, debating, and expeditions. Sixth form students can engage in mentoring, student leadership, and community volunteering. Character education and student leadership development are central to co-curricular life.
Ryburn Sixth is a major strength. It offers over 35 A-level and BTEC vocational subjects with flexible combinations. The pass rate is nearly 100%. Progress from GCSE to A-level is exceptional (best in the region according to DfE data), meaning students improve more than peers at similar starting points. The sixth form attracts students from other schools and welcomes external applicants. Entry requires interview and typically GCSE grades 5-6 or above, depending on subject.
The school has a resourced provision for students with identified SEND (8 places). Mainstream classrooms receive differentiated teaching and classroom support tailored to individual needs. The SEN department coordinates specialist input, including speech and language support, occupational therapy, and emotional wellbeing services. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark and actively celebrates progress of all learners.
Character education is central to school life and not separate from academics. The school teaches students four core values: Kindness, Honesty, Respect, and Endeavour. These are embedded in the behaviour system, the curriculum, and recognition — the Ryburn Academy Awards celebrate values-based achievements. Students take leadership roles in school decision-making and community engagement. The school earned the Character Education Kitemark Plus (one of the first three schools nationally to do so).
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