Holywell School
646%
Capacity
711
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Holywell School
Holywell School’s headline academic metrics sit well below the local authority average for secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. The school’s Progress 8 score of -1.82 is significantly lower than the LA average of -0.46, placing it 16th out of 16 schools in the area and in the bottom 1% nationally. This means that, on average, pupils at Holywell achieve nearly two grades less per subject across their eight best GCSEs than students with similar starting points elsewhere. The Attainment 8 score sits at just 2.9, and no pupils entered the English Baccalaureate or achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. These figures paint a stark picture of academic outcomes that are well below what families might expect from a typical state secondary in the region.
In its most recent graded inspection in 2017, Ofsted rated Holywell School as Good overall, with Good leadership and management. The school had previously been rated Requires Improvement in 2015, so this represented an upgrade. An ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed that the school remains Good. However, the inspection data does not provide breakdowns for quality of education, behaviour, or personal development, so it is unclear how these areas were assessed. The school’s Progress 8 banding is described as ‘Well below average’, and its ranking in the East of England region is 350th out of 350 schools. For parents focused on academic outcomes, these figures will be a major concern, though the school’s Good Ofsted rating suggests that other aspects of school life may be stronger.
Holywell is a Church of England secondary for pupils aged 9 to 13, with 711 pupils on roll against a stated capacity of 110 — a figure that appears inconsistent with the pupil count. The school serves a high-needs population, with 76.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, far above the national average. Facilities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, music rooms, science labs, art studios, and a chapel. The school offers a range of sports and clubs, including athletics, coding, chess, and Young Enterprise. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Given its low academic outcomes and high deprivation intake, Holywell may suit families who prioritise pastoral support and a broad extracurricular offer over traditional exam results, but the data suggests it is not a strong choice for those seeking high GCSE performance.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 9 to 13 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Red Lion Close, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, MK43 0JA |
| Headteacher | Michael Simpson |
| Local Authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 711 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 76.7% |
| School Capacity | 711 / 110 (646% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
23 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (23 Sept 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 1 Jun 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-1.82)
3123rd of 3,141
Nationally
350th of 350
In East of England
16th of 16
In Central Bedfordshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve grades similar to the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
School day
Teaching hours
08:55 – 15:40
Source: holywellschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better 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
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British96.1%
- Mixed1.0%
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.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this 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.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
2
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
1
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Holywell 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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
Contact Information
Red Lion Close, Bedford
Central Bedfordshire, MK43 0JA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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