Holy Family Catholic School
139%
Capacity
1,211
Pupils
4.1x
Demand
About Holy Family Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic School in Waltham Forest was rated Good by Ofsted following its most recent graded inspection in 2019, and an ungraded inspection in October 2024 confirmed that standards have been maintained. The school’s Progress 8 score of -0.21 is the most telling academic metric, placing it in the ‘Average’ banding nationally. That score is below the Waltham Forest local authority average of -0.07, and it ranks 12th out of 19 secondary schools in the borough on this measure. The school’s Attainment 8 score sits at 44, and 66% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is low at 13.2%, with just 11.3% of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. In the local context, Holy Family sits 11th out of 22 state secondaries of the same type in Waltham Forest, with three schools in the borough rated Outstanding.
At Key Stage 5, the sixth form has 46 pupils and a value-added score of -0.33, which is banded as ‘Below average’. The average points per entry is 29, equating to a grade C, and the best three A-levels average out at 29.74 points, also a C. The proportion of students achieving AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects is 15.4%. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 95% of the 146 respondents would recommend the school. On specific questions, 96% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, and 96% felt their child is safe. The school’s leadership and management, as well as its sixth form provision, were both rated Good by Ofsted. The previous graded inspection in 2017 had rated the school Requires Improvement, so the improvement to Good in 2019 represents a clear upward trajectory.
The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 632 applications for 153 places, a ratio of 4.13 applicants per place, with 264 first-preference applications. Holy Family has a Roman Catholic religious character and serves pupils aged 11 to 18. It has a wide range of SEND provisions, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and a SEN unit. Facilities include a chapel, sixth form centre, sports hall, gymnasium, library, art studios, and playing fields. Clubs and activities are plentiful, with options such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model UN, coding, drama, and eco club. Sports on offer include athletics, hockey, rugby, swimming, and martial arts. With 26.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse community. It will suit families who value a Catholic secondary with a strong sixth form, a clear improvement story, and a very positive parent view, though the academic outcomes are broadly in line with or slightly below the local average.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 1 Shernhall Street, London, Waltham Forest, E17 3EA |
| Headteacher | Carolyn Laws |
| Local Authority | Waltham Forest |
| Number of Pupils | 1,211 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 26.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,211 / 869 (139% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Oct 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (9 Oct 2024): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 4 Jun 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.21)
2030th of 3,141
Nationally
404th of 487
In London
12th of 19
In Waltham Forest
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
36.9
'22/23
28.9
'23/24
29.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2340%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 144 pupils).
- FE college48%
- School sixth form (stay)40%
- Apprenticeship5%
- Employment4%
- Sixth form college1%
- Not sustained1%
99% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Where school leavers go
2022/2367%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 78 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
10%
Russell Group
13%
Top-third HE
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)67%
- Employment18%
- Apprenticeship6%
- Not sustained5%
- Further education3%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Biology13
- Chemistry10
- Media/Film/Tv Studies10
- English Literature9
- History9
- Computer Studies / Computing8
- Physics8
- Mathematics5
- Spanish5
- Physical Education / Sports Studies4
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
Ofsted Parent View
146 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed153
632
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
264 families put this school as their 1st choice (42% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British93.8%
- Mixed2.6%
- White (other)1.9%
- Asian0.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
21
Total schools
15
Oversubscribed
12
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Family Catholic School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
1 Shernhall Street, London
Waltham Forest, E17 3EA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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