Hope Valley College

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. 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. In September 2019 the school joined Chorus Education Trust, a local multi-academy trust (MAT) led by Silverdale School in Sheffield. 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. The College facilitates parents organising transport, with a number of parents organising their own taxi minibus services.

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.

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.

The college has a wide range of in-school and after-school clubs, including a Big Band, School of Rock Choir, folk band, wind band, drama club, textiles club, Dungeons & Dragons club, IT and gaming club, sporting activities, and additional academic subjects beyond the standard curriculum outside of school. These include Ancient History GCSE and additional preparation for those planning to take A-level Maths.

The Peak District location means that there is a strong outdoor activities programme, including a mountain bike track within the college grounds. There is also a regular French exchange trip.

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'. 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.

At the heart of the community
Hope Valley College is at the heart of the local community. It was originally planned as a village community college, and in its early years provided adult education classes during the day, as well as community facilities such as a library and creche. The first Warden (namely principal), Jack Houghton, 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'.

The ethos is comprehensive, with the school providing a full range of academic and vocational subjects to students from all backgrounds, and notable provision for special educational needs.

During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, Design & Technology staff in the school used their department's machines to produce protective face visors for frontline staff. The school also hosts the annual Hope Valley Film Festival, run by local parents. In 2020, the festival welcomed British long-distance runner Nicky Spinks as its guest of honour. Fortnightly car boot sales are also run in the school grounds during the spring and summer.

Every year, the school provides heart screenings for its Year 11 students to identify those at risk from sudden cardiac death. Screenings are also available to the local community. Extensive fundraising takes place in the local community to support this initiative.

Notable alumni
Alumni include the award-winning folk singer Bella Hardy, who grew up in nearby Edale, where there is a strong communal singing tradition. She was named Folk Singer of the Year at the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. She went on to complete sixth form study at Lady Manners School in Bakewell, followed by degrees at York St John and Newcastle Universities.

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