Holyhead School, Birmingham
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Holyhead School creates a welcoming, supportive environment where every pupil feels valued and included. Teachers focus on both academic achievement and character development, with particular strength in supporting students with additional needs. The school offers excellent guidance on future careers and opportunities, preparing pupils well for their next steps.
Key Strengths
- Strong inclusive culture where pupils feel safe, happy and supported as a 'family'
- Effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, ensuring access to an ambitious curriculum
- Excellent personal development and well-being provision, including mental health support
- Effective sixth-form provision with challenging learning and strong student leadership opportunities
- Strong work on attendance and behaviour, with pupils displaying excellent self-control and positive attitudes to learning
Areas for Improvement
- Some teaching does not check pupils' understanding well enough, meaning key gaps in knowledge are not addressed consistently
- Teaching is not always adapted effectively to support and challenge pupils to deepen their understanding
- Need for more consistent checking of pupils' understanding across all subjects to ensure they secure necessary knowledge
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective.
Extracurricular Activities
Film clubs, anime club, Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, reading mentors, teaching support roles in science and mathematics
Holyhead School is a comprehensive secondary school where everyone is valued and included, with warm relationships between pupils and staff. The school has maintained good standards and continues to support all pupils' development effectively, especially disadvantaged pupils.
At a Glance
64.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
30 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
21.8
Avg class size
54
Total classes
3 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
1,257 pupils
1,250 capacity
7 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Birmingham
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Birmingham
Admissions Demand - Birmingham
Places available
15,089
Applications
14,943
Got 1st preference
73.6%
Got preferred school
96.8%
Secondary admissions across Birmingham (2025/26)
Inspection History(106)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.64864%
Overall absence
17.09797%
Persistent absence
1,082
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Holyhead School
St James Church of England Primary School, Handsworth
Oasis Academy Boulton
Oasis Academy Wattville
James Watt Primary School
William Murdoch Primary School
Rookery School
Grove School
St Augustine's Catholic Primary School
Oasis Academy Foundry
Oasis Academy Benson
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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