SchoolScoresHolyhead School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CENTRAL REGION SCHOOLS TRUST
Milestone Lane, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 0HN
0121 523 1960 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 February 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 21 May 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Birmingham comparisons use the 49 of its 95 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 46 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 | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 10th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 9th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 20th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 40 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 98% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 22 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 45 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 90% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 11th highest of 49 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 2%). 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. Birmingham figures pool parents at the Birmingham 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
208 pupils in this year group.
33% — 12 points below the Birmingham average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 45% | 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. | 43.2 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.2 | 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.
208 pupils in this year group.
90% — about the same as the Birmingham average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 53% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | 13% | 13% |
| Further education college | 33% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
52 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 19% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 46% | 55% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 33.4 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 104 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 16 | 0% | 25% | 27% |
| Psychology | 16 | 0% | 19% | 19% |
| Sociology | 14 | 7% | 7% | 20% |
| Mathematics | 12 | 0% | 17% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 9 | 0% | 33% | 30% |
| English Language and Literature | 8 | 0% | 25% | 16% |
| Geography | 8 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physics, Computer Studies / Computing, History, Religious Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Italian, Spanish, Business Studies:Single, Punjabi.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
118 students in this year group.
85% — 10 points above the Birmingham average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 85% | 75% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 4% | 7% |
| Work | 8% | 17% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 85% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
108 students in this year group.
83% — 14 points above the Birmingham average, and 23 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 83% | 69% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 32% | 28% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 80% | 83% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Birmingham. 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 209 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 205 |
| Of those, offered a place | 188 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 711 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 23rd highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 62.0% | 48.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 87th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.3% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.3% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 74.2% | 37.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 20th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 93 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 79% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 49th lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5 | 15.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 62nd lowest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.16% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 67th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 18% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 45th highest of 95 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 85th highest of 94 state secondary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 15% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 14.7%* | 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
- Windsor Olympus Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Wall Catholic School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- V.A.S.E Academy 0.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected
- Sandwell Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Handsworth School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Future First Independent School 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 5 needs attention
- Sandwell Valley School 1.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Orion School 1.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 4 needs attention
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Holyhead School's Ofsted rating?
Holyhead School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 February 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 21 May 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Holyhead School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Holyhead School?
87% of the 30 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Holyhead School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Holyhead School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 205 families put Holyhead School as their first choice for 209 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 188 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 137034.
- 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, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.