SchoolScoresHolbrook Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of EAST ANGLIAN SCHOOLS TRUST LTD
Ipswich Road, Holbrook, Ipswich, IP9 2QX
01473 328317 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 23 June 2026 , published 12 July 2026.
In short: 3 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
25 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Ipswich comparisons use the 7 of its 13 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Ipswich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 74% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 76% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 66% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 10 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 24% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 44% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 23 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 48% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 60% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ipswich. Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72%said yes | 71% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 4%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Ipswich figures pool parents at the Ipswich schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
117 pupils in this year group.
34% — 6 points below the Suffolk average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 34% | 40% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 41.2 | 42.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
116 pupils in this year group.
95% — 2 points above the Suffolk average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 64% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 25% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 95% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Suffolk. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 83 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 69 |
| Of those, offered a place | 69 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 143 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.6% | 22.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 87% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7% | 13.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 9.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 9.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.6% | 24.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 41% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 31.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Lower than 21% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.51% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 12th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 13th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich. Higher than 71% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4% | 12.5%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Royal Hospital School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 35% A*/A at A level
- Ipswich High School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 26% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Holbrook Academy's Ofsted rating?
Holbrook Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 23 June 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Holbrook Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Holbrook Academy?
72% of the 25 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Holbrook Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Holbrook Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 69 families put Holbrook Academy as their first choice for 83 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 69 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137208.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.