The Holmesdale School
About The Holmesdale School
The Holmesdale School in Tonbridge and Malling received a Good rating across all five graded categories in its most recent Ofsted inspection, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement overall rating. The school’s Progress 8 score of -0. 52 is the single most telling exam metric, placing it well below the national average and ranking it 9th out of 10 schools in its local authority area. This score means that, on average, pupils achieved roughly half a grade less per subject than peers with similar starting points. In the South East region, the school sits at the 378th position out of 461 schools, and nationally it ranks in the bottom 17% of all schools. The Attainment 8 score of 35. 7 and the basics measure, where 48. 8% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, further illustrate the academic challenges the school faces.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 69 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
1 Apr 2025From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 14 May 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Holmesdale 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