Spen Valley Sports College is an 'improving school' (OfSTED June 2010) and a successful Sports College; it prides itself on offering a quality learning experience and a caring, supportive environment for all students.

The school serves the areas of Heckmondwike and Liversedge; it is a seven-form entry, co-educational school, which caters for students between the ranges of 11 to 16.  The school is now popular and oversubscribed; our current number on roll stands at full capacity of 900 students and we are receiving an increasing number of appeals for admission.

Standards have risen significantly; 51% of students achieved five or more GCSE A*-C grades including English and Mathematics in 2011 compared to 26% in 2008 and the percentage of students achieving five or more A*-C grades was 93% for this year (74% in 2010).  Our 2011 Value Added measure is 1014 and challenging targets for future years reflect the high aspirations we have for our students. Our ambition remains to raise attainment further in English and Mathematics and continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning across the school.

We are a highly collaborative organisation, involved with partnership development across North Kirklees and have strong formal and informal links with neighbouring high schools.  The school has joined the recently formed Spenborough Co-operative Trust alongside three primary schools and a special school.

Spen Valley Sports College continues to move forward with its priorities as set out in the Self Evaluation (SEF) and School Development Plan.  These include raising standards, developing literacy and numeracy across the curriculum, and focusing upon the development of teaching and learning alongside whole staff and indiviual professional development.  Spen Valley Sports College became a designated Sports College in 2004 and we can now see the impact of this specialism upon the whole school.  Our School Sports Partnership, which began in September 2003, has received national recognition as an example of good practice.  We have received a range of different accreditations; including Investors in People status, Sports Mark, Arts Mark and the Healthy Schools Award.

The school houses a main teaching block which includes areas for English, Science and Humanities. In addition, there is an up to date Design Technology area, a spacious Resource Centre and excellent provision for Sport and Physical Education.  More recently, additions have included extentions to the school's ICT network, broadband facilities, interactive whiteboards and new ICT suites.  The Dining Hall has been extended and a new 'biometric' system introduced for students and staff to use.

Our catchment area is principally owner-occupied housing with a smaller proportion of established council housing.  About 9% of the student intake is from families originating from Pakistan, and 17% of our students are entitled to free school meals.  The school takes pride in being connected to the community it serves and is building strong links with local community organisations.  There is an active Parents' Council which meets four times a year to discuss whole school key issues such as our reporting system and curriculum development.