Holcombe Brook Primary School has closed (Tuesday 31 March 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now Holcombe Brook Primary School.
Holcombe Brook Primary School, Bury
Holcombe Brook Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 5 to 11 in Bury. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2016. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 20th-highest of the 37 schools in Bury with published results, and 6,591st of 14,452 across England. It was 97% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2016)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Bury (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Holcombe Brook Primary School in detail
Holcombe Brook Primary School in its own words
The school runs after-school care until 5:30pm.
Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Holcombe Brook Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 85% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 77% in Bury and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 92% in reading and 95% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Holcombe Brook Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 42 families put Holcombe Brook Primary School as their first choice and 98 named it as one of their preferences, for 40 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at Holcombe Brook Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Holcombe Brook Primary School are Holcombe Brook Primary School (under 0.1 miles); Greenmount Primary School (0.4 miles); Summerseat Methodist Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 50% reading, 44% maths); and Hazlehurst Primary Academy (0.8 miles, 93% reading, 90% maths).
Holcombe Brook Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.
Holcombe Brook Primary SchoolGreenmount Primary SchoolSummerseat Methodist Primary SchoolHazlehurst Primary Academy
What parents say
64 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Holcombe Brook Primary School (as of September 2025): 97% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 79% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (79%).
Who goes there
12.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (90%) and Mixed (6%).
In 2026, 28 pupils (10.4%) received SEN support and 9 (3.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Ramsbottom (East Lancashire Railway), about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.
15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newcombe Road (near), 80 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
Holcombe Brook Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from June 2016, 10 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Holcombe Brook creates an exciting, vibrant learning environment where pupils are happy, polite and motivated to learn. The school excels at fostering a love of reading and provides strong support for all learners, including those with additional needs. Parents praise the compassionate atmosphere and thoughtful pastoral care their children receive.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with daily phonics lessons and integration of storytelling throughout the school day
- Broad, balanced curriculum with clear key knowledge outlined across subjects
- Effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
- High attendance rates with swift action when pupils struggle
- Excellent provision for pupils' wider personal development, including leadership opportunities and respect for diversity
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers do not consistently check pupils' understanding before moving to new learning, which can leave some pupils without secure knowledge
- Need to ensure staff understand how to verify pupils have grasped concepts before introducing more complex ideas
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with the school maintaining an open and positive culture that prioritises pupils' interests.
Extracurricular Activities
Play leader roles, school councillor positions, trips, enrichment opportunities, breakfast club, after-school club
Holcombe Brook Primary School has maintained its good standards and continues to help pupils thrive in a supportive, nurturing environment. Pupils are happy, motivated learners who achieve strongly across a range of subjects and are well-prepared for their next stage of education.
At a Glance
12.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
64 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 92% to 72% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 95% to 85% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 77% to 67% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
30.3
Avg class size
26.0
Infant (KS1)
32.3
KS2
6
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Holcombe Brook Primary School
Term dates
Holcombe Brook Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Bury. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Holcombe Brook Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Holcombe Brook Primary School is in Bury; for families living there:
Apply to Bury for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Holcombe Brook Primary School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
97%
Near capacity
272 pupils
280 places
8 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Bury
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bury
Across Bury council
Places available
2,275
Applications
1,901
Got 1st preference
91.4%
Got preferred school
98.1%
All primary applications across Bury council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(9)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
28
SEN Support
9
EHC Plans
13.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
269
Total Pupils
135
Boys
134
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
14
Teachers
18.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,212
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,097
Per pupil
£1487k
Total funding
£56k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.7%
Overall absence
4.5%
Persistent absence
243
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Holcombe Brook Primary School
What are SATs results like at Holcombe Brook Primary School?
Of the pupils at Holcombe Brook Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 72% reached the expected standard in reading and 85% did so in maths.
What is Holcombe Brook Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Holcombe Brook Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2016, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Holcombe Brook Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Holcombe Brook Primary School is oversubscribed, Bury allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Holcombe Brook Primary School?
Holcombe Brook Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 97% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Holcombe Brook Primary School?
Classes at Holcombe Brook Primary School average 30.3 pupils (2025/26). 4 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Holcombe Brook Primary School?
Holcombe Brook Primary School has around 269 pupils on roll. 13% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Holcombe Brook Primary School?
3.7% of sessions were missed at Holcombe Brook Primary School in 2024/25. 4.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Holcombe Brook Primary School?
Apply through Bury's coordinated admissions process, naming Holcombe Brook Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
What are Holcombe Brook Primary School's term dates?
Holcombe Brook Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Bury. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
Where is Holcombe Brook Primary School?
Holcombe Brook Primary School is at Longsight Road, Holcombe Brook, Bury, Lancashire, BL0 9TA.
Source: Bury term dates