SchoolScoresHolyrood Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BLACKDOWN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
Zembard Lane, Chard, TA20 1JL
01460 260100 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 7 February 2023.
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 |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
232 pupils in this year group.
30% — 11 points below the Somerset average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 30% | 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. | 42.4 | 43.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 3.8 | 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.
225 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Somerset average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 36% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 19% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 25% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 93% |
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
58 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 15% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 37% | 54% | 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. | 27.0 | 33.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
19 subjects, 131 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 22 | 9% | 18% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 15 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Business Studies:Single | 11 | 9% | 9% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 10 | 0% | 20% | 30% |
| History | 10 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physics | 9 | 11% | 33% | 31% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 29% | 27% |
| Psychology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Music | 6 | 0% | 0% | 29% |
| Religious Studies | 6 | 0% | 33% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design (Fine Art), English Literature, Economics, Geography, Sociology, French, German.
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.
80 students in this year group.
89% — 8 points above the Somerset average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 18% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 40% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 89% |
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.
57 students in this year group.
49% — 2 points above the Somerset average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 49% | 47% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 12% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 49% | 49% |
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 Somerset. 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 | 207 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 205 |
| Of those, offered a place | 205 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 242 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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 | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 12th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.7% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 28th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 23rd highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 20th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 24% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.2% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 21st lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 28.9 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.15% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 20th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 32nd highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 13th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 63% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7% | 14.2%* | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Holyrood Academy's Ofsted rating?
Holyrood Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 February 2023.
How did Holyrood Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Holyrood Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 205 families put Holyrood Academy as their first choice for 207 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 205 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 136295.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.