[1] Valentines has been a teaching school since 2011, and is a member of the Leading Edge partnership programme.

In 2007, a new sixth-form building was opened with state-of-the-art physical education facilities including a new astro-turf pitch, tennis courts, sports hall, and drama studio.

The sixth-form building currently houses the history, and business departments.

Following demographic changes to the local area, the school has become very multicultural, with more than 80% of pupils speaking a first language other than English.

The former PE teacher has put an emphasis on "discipline, respect and good behaviour" and considerably reduced the size of the sixth form.