SchoolScoresHolywell School
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of HOLYWELL CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY
Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0JA
01234 750381 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 October 2014.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 July 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
184 pupils in this year group.
27% — 23 points below the Central Bedfordshire average, and 35 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 27% | 50% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 1% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 65% | 70% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 29% | 61% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 71% | 66% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Central Bedfordshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 12th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 16.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 11.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 7.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 20.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.8% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.14% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 81% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.4 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bedford. Higher than 75% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 13.1%* | 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 Holywell School's Ofsted rating?
Holywell School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 October 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 July 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138844.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.