Holy Family Catholic School, London

In its own words: "During their time at Holy Family Catholic School, every student is enabled to “be more” in every aspect of their life."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Under various names, the school has provided excellent Catholic education in Waltham Forest for over 100 years and continues to do so. I was appointed Headteacher in September 2022 and I am proud and privileged to lead this vibrant faith and learning community."

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 6pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Holy Family Catholic School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.7 in Waltham Forest and 47 across England.

47% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in Waltham Forest and 47% in England.

That is up from 45.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.04: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 41.5, against 51 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 80 families put Holy Family Catholic School as their first choice and 242 named it as one of their preferences, for 110 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Holy Family Catholic School are Frederick Bremer School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.7); Walthamstow School for Girls (0.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 57.9); Walthamstow Academy (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 52.9); and South Chingford Foundation School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.8).

Holy Family Catholic School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Of the 206 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 93% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 21% to a further education college and 1% to an apprenticeship.

Of the 137 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 66% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 10% into work. 16% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

40% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (47%), Asian (13%) and Mixed (10%).

In 2026, 78 pupils (6.6%) received SEN support and 50 (4.3%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Wood Street Rail Station, about 480 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Drive Walthamstow, 80 metres away.

In 2024/25, Holy Family Catholic School issued 80 suspensions, 6.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Holy Family Catholic School are Our Lady and St George's Catholic Primary School (under 0.1 miles), The Woodside Primary Academy (0.2 miles), Emmanuel Community School (0.3 miles) and St Mary's CofE Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.