The Valley School
Community special school in Stevenage (Hertfordshire).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
As Headteacher, it is my pleasure to offer you a warm welcome to The Valley School. We are a secondary school that specialises in catering for students with learning needs. Ours is a successful, warm, welcoming, happy school where students progress socially as well as academically. We offer a huge range of clubs, visits and other enrichment opportunities for our young people.
Our staff work very hard and genuinely care about the achievement and wellbeing of every student. This investment extends to the young peoples' life outside of school, their families and general support network. We have high expectations of those who join us; we expect students to be safe, respectful and ambitious.
In return we offer the highest standards of support, innovative approaches to learning and the very best outcomes for your child. If you would like to know more about the school or indeed if you would like to visit us during the day, then please do not hesitate to contact us; we would be delighted to hear from you.
Headteacher: David Pearce Contact: Iona Varol (Office Manager) The Valley School, Broadhall Way, SG2 9BN Tel: 01438 747274 Email: Senco:
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
2 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Health Welfare
- Zones of Regulation
Awards
3 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Duke of EdinburghPersonal development
- UNICEF Rights Respecting SchoolsChildren's rights
- Healthy SchoolsHealth and wellbeing
Key facts
- URN
- 117669
- Type
- Community special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- Constituency
- Stevenage
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (9 current, 2 former)
Special schools governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Denmark | Chair of Governors | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2025 · until 2029 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Swan | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Alistair Stuart Gordon | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Jimi Laleye | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Catherine Wharton | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Dervla Downing | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| David Pearce | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2021 · until 2028 |
| Elizabeth Mary Ellis | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · until 2028 |
| Dr Rona Tutt | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2018 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Thomas Plater Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Martin Denmark Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2018 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record