Hope Valley College

Hope Valley College
Location
Castleton Road
Hope

Hope Valley
,
Derbyshire
,
S33 6SD

England
Coordinates53°20′51″N 1°45′01″W / 53.34742°N 1.75017°W / 53.34742; -1.75017
Information
TypeAcademy
Established1958
Local authorityDerbyshire
Department for Education URN147533 Tables
PrincipalDeborah-Anne Pettes[1]
GenderCoeducational
Age11 to 16
Enrolment570 pupils
HousesKinder Scout, Lose Hill, Win Hill, Mam Tor [2]
Websitehttps://www.hopevalley-chorustrust.org/

Hope Valley College, Castleton Road (A6187), Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire in England is an academy school. It is adjacent to the Peakshole Water, in the High Peak district. It provides education to pupils aged 11–16.

History

The school was first opened in September 1958, although only officially so in July 1959, celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2009.[3][4] The college also received a specialism in Applied Learning with Gifted and Talented in March 2009, making it the first school in Derbyshire to be awarded three specialisms.[5] In September 2019 the school joined Chorus Education Trust, a local multi-academy trust (MAT) led by Silverdale School in Sheffield.[6] A new Principal, Mrs Gaynor Jones, was also appointed. Joining the MAT has allowed the college to invest in new IT equipment, modernise the curriculum, and serve as a feeder to Silverdale's sixth form college alongside other post-16 options.

Admissions

Hope Valley College is a smaller than average secondary school, with 570 students in 2022–23. Students travel from across North Derbyshire, as well as Greater Manchester and the outskirts of Sheffield, to attend the school. It follows the admissions arrangements run by Derbyshire County Council. The catchment area is therefore extremely large, with students and parents attracted by its distinctive identity, location in the Peaks, and broad curriculum.

Hope Valley College does not have a sixth form. However, it opened a post-16 education centre for children with learning difficulties and disabilities in September 2012.

Hope Valley students have priority access into Silverdale Sixth Form, one of the highest-achieving sixth forms in Sheffield.[7]

Academic performance and educational offer

In 2019, the school achieved the third-highest Progress 8 score in Derbyshire out of all non-selective schools. The Progress 8 score was +0.28.

In February 2018, Hope Valley College received an academic performance score by Ofsted of 'Inadequate'. The Ofsted inspectors identified poor communication as 'hindering school improvement'.[8] Hope Valley College accordingly became a new academy within Chorus Education Trust on 1 September 2019. Ofsted usually inspects all new schools within their third year of operation, although as of April 2023 this has not yet taken place.[9]

Work with the community

Hope Valley College was originally planned as a village college, and in its early years provided adult education classes,[10] as well as community facilities such as a library and creche. The first Warden (namely principal), John Houghton,[10] said in 1959 that '[w]e wish also to preserve and develop the rural crafts, music and drama, which are an essential part of our English country tradition'.

During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, design and technology staff in the school used their department's machines to produce protective face visors for frontline staff.[11] The school also hosts the annual Hope Valley Film Festival, run by local parents.

Notable alumni

Alumni also include Rowan Rheingans,[12] member of folk trio Lady Maisery, and professional rock climber Pete Whittaker.[13]

References

  1. ^ "History – Hope Valley College". Hope Valley College. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Tutor groups and houses – Hope Valley College".
  3. ^ "Hope Valley College turns 50". Hope Valley College. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Hope Valley College Derbyshire Information, contacts, map, results". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2012. In 2001, it became a Technology College, subsequently gaining Arts College specialist status in 2005.
  5. ^ "Hope Valley College awarded 3rd specialism". Hope Valley College. 6 March 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Hope Valley College". Chorus Trust. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Join Silverdale Sixth Form". Hope Valley College. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Hope Valley school rated as Inadequate by Ofsted inspectors' report". Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  9. ^ Ofsted Communications Team (26 September 2019). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Derbyshire Post: Helmsby Headmaster is Appointed". Liverpool Echo. 23 June 1958. Retrieved 18 August 2025. Mr. John Houghton, head master of Helsby Grammar School, is to become head and warden of the Hope Valley College, Derbyshire — the first of its type to be built in the county. The college, which will incorporate a secondary school and a college for further education, is to be officially opened in September. During the day, the school will be attended by children and at night by adults.
  11. ^ "GPs thank Hope Valley College for 'brilliant' effort making protective face masks". www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  12. ^ Bolton, Gay (7 March 2022). "Award-winning Hope Valley musician Rowan Rheingans' first theatre show in Sheffield is inspired by her gran's true story". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Hope Valley Adventure Film Festival". Heason Events. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
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