Hollybush Primary, Leeds
Hollybush Primary is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Leeds. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2026, ended in a report card: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2021. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 148th-highest of the 182 schools in Leeds with published results, and 12,253rd of 14,452 across England. It was 66% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted report card
- 4 areas need attention
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Leeds (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Hollybush Primary in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades Hollybush Primary on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years are increasingly well prepared for their next steps."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders in the school are committed to ensuring that pupils' needs are met through the school's inclusion offer."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school prioritises pupils' personal development."
Achievement - Needs attention. "Historically, too many pupils have left the school not ready for their next steps."
Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders recognise that the school's attendance rates are not as high as they should be."
Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "For some pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, learning is not well matched to their identified needs."
Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "For some improvement areas, actions are not clear and developments are at an early stage."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should embed high-quality teaching, including a focus on writing and matching tasks to pupils' different starting points, so that pupils' achievements improve across the curriculum and in national tests. • Leaders should further develop their strategies to improve pupil attendance, including the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. • Leaders should ensure that they implement rigorous monitoring systems to check the impact of their improvement strategies. • Leaders should develop further professional learning opportunities for all staff to embed the pupil premium strategy consistently and effectively".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Hollybush Primary in its own words
In its own words: "At Hollybush Primary School, we are proud of our child-centred approach to education, where every child is recognised as a unique individual with their own strengths, needs, and aspirations. Our vision is to inspire ambition and success, and this drives us to provide a high-quality learning experience that nurtures ambition, inspires creativity, and promotes personal growth."
The school runs after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 61% of Year 6 pupils at Hollybush Primary reached the expected standard in reading and 66% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Leeds and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (65% in reading, 61% in maths).
Getting a place at Hollybush Primary
For September 2026 entry, 29 families put Hollybush Primary as their first choice and 88 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Hollybush Primary are Raynville Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 75% reading, 87% maths); Whitecote Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 63% reading, 78% maths); Christ The King Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 88% reading, 92% maths); and Bramley St Peter's Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 51% maths).
Hollybush Primary's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
Raynville AcademyWhitecote Primary SchoolChrist The King Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary AcademyBramley St Peter's Church of England Primary School
What parents say
46 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Hollybush Primary (as of April 2026): 89% would recommend the school, 89% say their child is happy there and 80% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (89%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (80%).
Who goes there
39.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 8.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (67%), Black (14%) and Mixed (8%).
In 2026, 65 pupils (19.3%) received SEN support and 6 (1.8%) 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 railway station is Kirkstall Forge Rail Station, about 1160 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).
19 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hollybush School, 90 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Hollybush Primary stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Hollybush Primary issued 41 suspensions, 11.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
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); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 9 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- Early yearsExpected standard
- InclusionExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Hollybush Primary
Hollybush Primary is an improving school. Changes to leadership have brought clarity to the school's plans to improve the provision further. Many early improvements are evident. There is a sense of calm that pervades through the corridors and in the classrooms. However, there is more work to do. Over time, pupils have not achieved as well as they could in national tests. A number of staffing changes have also impacted on the quality of teaching in the classroom. Leaders have identified appropriate actions to drive further improvement. It is, however, too early to see the impact of this. Some actions from leaders also need to be reviewed more closely to evaluate how successful they are. Pupils enjoy coming to this school. The school is very inclusive. Pupils' pastoral needs are met well. This pastoral support removes barriers to pupils' social and emotional development. Pupils learn how to be respectful to one another and show this when working with others. They say that bullying is now rare and that staff help them to deal with friendship issues. Staff build warm relationships with pupils. This means that pupils feel safe and settled. However, too many pupils do not attend school as often as they should. This includes disadvantaged pupils. Pupils' wider development is well supported. For example, the school's tranquillity garden gives pupils a space to explore and learn about the natural world. The school's ‘Restore' curriculum allows pupils to develop their knowledge about mental health and staying safe in the local area. It teaches pupils how to respond to situations and manage their feelings. The impact of this curriculum can be seen in the way the majority of pupils conduct themselves around the school.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- • Leaders should embed high-quality teaching, including a focus on writing and matching tasks to pupils' different starting points, so that pupils' achievements improve across the curriculum and in national tests. • Leaders should further develop their strategies to improve pupil attendance, including the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. • Leaders should ensure that they implement rigorous monitoring systems to check the impact of their improvement strategies. • Leaders should develop further professional learning opportunities for all staff to embed the pupil premium strategy consistently and effectively.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 13 January 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Hollybush Primary creates a welcoming, inclusive environment where all pupils feel they belong and are supported pastorally. The school prioritises disadvantaged pupils in its planning and offers a rich curriculum with memorable trips including visits to Whitby and local explorations. Staff build warm relationships with pupils, helping them develop confidence and respect for one another.
Key Strengths
- Strong safeguarding culture with open approach and clear responsibilities
- Warm, nurturing early years provision with focus on communication and phonics
- Inclusive approach with good support for pupils with special educational needs
- Well-planned personal development opportunities including trips and residential visits
- Consistent behaviour management with clear expectations
Areas for Improvement
- Too many pupils leaving school unprepared for next steps, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics
- Attendance rates too low, especially for disadvantaged pupils
- Some teaching and learning not matched to pupils' identified needs
- Staffing changes have caused inconsistencies in curriculum delivery
- Leadership oversight of improvement actions needs to be clearer and more closely monitored
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Clubs (participation tracked), house teams with external visitors, tranquility garden, Whitby coastal visits, local geography trips, overnight residentials, Restore mental health curriculum
Hollybush Primary is an improving school with a calm environment and strong pastoral support, but faces challenges with pupil achievement and attendance rates. Leadership changes have brought clarity to improvement plans, though it is early to see full impact.
At a Glance
39.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
46 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 65% to 61% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 61% to 66% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 57% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
21.1
Avg class size
19.7
Infant (KS1)
23.6
KS2
15
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Hollybush Primary
Term dates
Hollybush Primary is a community school, so its term dates are set by Leeds. 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 Friday 2 April 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 19 April to Thursday 22 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Hollybush Primary from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Hollybush Primary is in Leeds; for families living there:
Apply to Leeds for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 27
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 13
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 27 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 13 serious and 14 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Leeds is 18.5 (the median across 308 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Hollybush Primary
Will you get a place at Hollybush Primary? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Hollybush Primary's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Hollybush Primary:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Hollybush Primary.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Leeds, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Hollybush Primary for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Leeds got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
66%
Available places
336 pupils
510 places
174 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Leeds
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Leeds
Across Leeds council
Places available
10,125
Applications
8,039
Got 1st preference
92.4%
Got preferred school
99.0%
All primary applications across Leeds council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(9)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
65
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
21.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
337
Total Pupils
183
Boys
154
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
20
Teachers
16.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£43,409
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,342
Per pupil
£2452k
Total funding
£232k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.6%
Overall absence
22.5%
Persistent absence
307
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Hollybush Primary
Questions parents ask about Hollybush Primary
What are SATs results like at Hollybush Primary?
Of the pupils at Hollybush Primary who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 61% reached the expected standard in reading and 66% did so in maths.
What is Hollybush Primary's Ofsted rating?
Hollybush Primary's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in September 2021, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Hollybush Primary?
No fixed boundary. When Hollybush Primary is oversubscribed, Leeds allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Hollybush Primary?
Hollybush Primary was not full in 2025: it ran at 66% of its 510 places.
How big are the classes at Hollybush Primary?
Classes at Hollybush Primary average 21.1 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Hollybush Primary?
Hollybush Primary has around 337 pupils on roll. 40% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Hollybush Primary?
7.6% of sessions were missed at Hollybush Primary in 2024/25. 22.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Hollybush Primary?
Apply through Leeds's coordinated admissions process, naming Hollybush Primary 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 Hollybush Primary's term dates?
Hollybush Primary is a community school, so its term dates are set by Leeds. 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 Friday 2 April 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 19 April to Thursday 22 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027).
How many road collisions happen near Hollybush Primary?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 27 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 13 serious and 14 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Leeds is 18.5 (the median across 308 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Hollybush Primary?
Hollybush Primary is at Broad Lane, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 2JJ.
Sources: Leeds term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)