Holyhead School - The School Companion

Holyhead School

Birmingham · B21 0HN

General information Secondary School · 11-18 years Who goes here 1257 pupils, 64.7% FSM

Parent score Rate this school No reviews yet - be the first SEN 26.6% on SEN support Behaviour 6.7% absence rate Staff 11.8% turnover Financials £8,288 per pupil Environment Buildings and facilities

We haven't asked this school for its behaviour and staffing figures yet. Sign up to tell us you'd like them, and we'll email you when they arrive.

Notify me

Your email address

Leave this empty

We'll email you a link to confirm first. Your address is only used for news about this school, and every email has a link to stop them. Privacy

Holyhead School

General Information

Address: Milestone Lane, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 0HN – View on map
Phone: 01215231960
Website: Visit school website
Headteacher: Mr David Knox
Age range: 11-18 years
Demand for places (Year 7, September 2026): 205 families put it first for 209 places – 10 for every 10 places. 92% of them were offered a place. 2 of the 209 places went to families living outside the council area. Children putting it first, for every 10 places: 2023 11 · 2024 9 · 2025 9 · 2026 10
Sixth form: Yes
Intake: Mixed
Religious character: None
Nursery provision: No

Who goes here

1257 pupils out of 1250 places At or near capacity

Pupils eligible for free school meals: 665
% eligible for free school meals: 64.7%
Pupil mix: 9 in 10 (more mixed than the Birmingham average)
English as an additional language: 75% (England 22%)

Staff

Teachers leaving each year

Teacher turnover: 11.8% a year (Birmingham 17.9%, typical in England 15.5%)
Where they went: about 55% moved to another school, 45% left state schools altogether (retirement, other careers, independent schools, abroad)
Data years: 2022/23 to 2024/25 (average of 3 years, DfE school workforce census)

Teachers who moved school or left state schools in the year after each November, as a share of all the school's teachers. Some turnover is healthy – retirements, promotions, moving house.

Behaviour

Awaiting Data

About this Behaviour status

We've asked this school for real behaviour figures under Freedom of Information and haven't had a response yet.

Across Birmingham: suspensions by reason

Suspensions for sexual misconduct: 108 (1.2 per 1,000 pupils; England 1.7)
Permanent exclusions for sexual misconduct: 2
Suspensions for bullying: 152 (1.7 per 1,000 pupils; England 1.9)
Suspensions for abuse against sexual orientation or gender identity: 47 (0.5 per 1,000 pupils; England 0.8)
Data year: 2024/25 (DfE suspensions and exclusions statistics)

These are figures for all state secondary schools in Birmingham, not this school's own – the government doesn't publish them school by school. A suspension can have up to three reasons. Most sexual harassment between pupils never leads to a suspension, so these figures show only part of the picture.

Attendance

Overall absence: 6.7%
Persistently absent pupils: 17.1%
Data year: 2024/25

About persistent absence

A pupil is counted as "persistently absent" if they miss 10% or more of their possible school sessions - roughly one day in every two weeks. Schools and Ofsted both pay close attention to this figure specifically, since it can highlight a pattern the overall absence rate alone might hide.

SEN

No dedicated Unit or Resourced Provision

SEN Unit and Resourced Provision

Most mainstream schools don't have a dedicated SEN Unit or Resourced Provision - it isn't a mark against a school that doesn't, just a different kind of setup than one that does.

Pupils on SEN Support: 26.6%
Pupils with an EHC Plan: 0.4%
Data year: 2025/26

Most common needs - SEN Support

Speech, language and communications needs: 136 pupils
Moderate learning difficulty: 82 pupils
Social, emotional and mental health: 59 pupils
Specific learning difficulty: 24 pupils
Autistic spectrum disorder: 19 pupils

Most common needs - EHC Plan

Speech, language and communications needs: 2 pupils
Moderate learning difficulty: 2 pupils
Hearing impairment: 1 pupil

These figures show the makeup of the school.

About these SEND figures

These figures give a sense of the makeup of the school - they aren't a judgement on the quality of support provided.

Parent score - no reviews yet –

Be the first to review — win £100 of books for your school Every honest review enters you into our prize draw

Behaviour

–

Openness

–

Teaching Quality

–

School Ethos

–

Ability to Deal with Problems

–

Headteacher Approval

–

SafeguardingSafeguarding (parent rating)How parents rate the school on keeping children safe - how safe their child feels, and how well concerns are listened to and acted on. It's parents' experience, not an inspection result; Ofsted checks safeguarding separately.

–

Would recommend –

Educational Attainment

Good 2020 report

About this Ofsted rating

Ofsted changed how it rates schools in the last couple of years, so ratings from different years aren't always on the same scale - that's why we show the year alongside every rating.

Attainment 8 score: 43.2
Compared with the area: 4.5 points below the Birmingham average (47.7)
Compared with schools with similar pupils: As expected (+1.0 points against an expected 42.2)
Grade 4+ in English and maths: 57% (Birmingham 66%, England 65%) Broadly steady
Data year: 2024/25

View the School Context Comparator – how this school's results compare with schools teaching similar pupils.

GCSE results over time

This schoolBirmingham averageEngland↗ Improving Up 2.4 points since 2022/23. In 2024/25 this school was 4.5 points below the Birmingham average (47.7).

About the Attainment 8 score

Attainment 8 measures a pupil's average result across 8 GCSE-equivalent qualifications (English and maths count double). It shows how pupils performed, not how much progress they made getting there - a school with a higher score doesn't necessarily add more value, since pupils often arrive with different starting points. Progress 8 is the measure designed to account for that, but it currently can't be calculated for any school for the two most recent academic years, due to a nationwide gap in the data caused by COVID-19 disruption to Key Stage 2 testing.

54th of 85 secondary schools in Birmingham for Attainment 8

#52E-ACT North Birmingham Academy43.9
#53Lordswood Boys' School43.3
#54Holyhead School43.2
#55Washwood Heath Academy42.9
#56Broadway Academy42.7

Click to see the full ranking

Attainment 8 ranking

Illustrative MVP scores - not based on verified data yet.

Rank School Score

#1King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls80.4
#2Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls79.4
#3Bishop Vesey's Grammar School77.1
#4King Edward VI Five Ways School75.9
#5King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys75.7
#6King Edward VI Handsworth School74.2
#7King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys72.0
#8King Edward VI Aston School71.2
#9Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Birmingham62.1
#10Eden Boys' School, Birmingham61.3
#11St Paul's School for Girls61.0
#12Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Birmingham East60.8
#13King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls56.8
#14Kings Norton Girls' School56.6
#15Bishop Walsh Catholic School56.0
#16The Arthur Terry School55.4
#17Birmingham Ormiston Academy54.1
#18Selly Park Girls' School52.4
#19Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre52.1
#20Plantsbrook School51.8
#21Nishkam High School51.3
#22E-ACT Heartlands Academy50.3
#23St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School49.9
#24Bordesley Green Girls' School & Sixth Form49.8
#25Fairfax49.1
#26Starbank School49.0
#27Hodge Hill Girls' School48.7
#28Queensbridge School48.5
#29Ark Victoria Academy48.4
#30Bishop Challoner Catholic College48.4
#31Wheelers Lane Technology College48.4
#32King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy48.0
#33King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys47.6
#34King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy47.4
#35Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School47.0
#36Ark St Alban's Academy46.9
#37Yardleys School46.7
#38King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls46.0
#39St Edmund Campion Catholic School45.8
#40Small Heath Leadership Academy45.7
#41The University of Birmingham School45.5
#42Hodge Hill College45.1
#43Ninestiles, an Academy44.9
#44St John Wall Catholic School44.7
#45Aston Manor Academy44.6
#46Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School44.6
#47Harborne Academy44.6
#48Arena Academy44.5
#49Ark Boulton Academy44.2
#50Aston University Engineering Academy44.1
#51Holy Trinity Catholic School44.0
#52E-ACT North Birmingham Academy43.9
#53Lordswood Boys' School43.3
#54Holyhead School43.2
#55Washwood Heath Academy42.9
#56Broadway Academy42.7
#57Hall Green School42.5
#58Hamstead Hall Academy42.1
#59Lift Four Dwellings Secondary42.1
#60Waverley School41.9
#61Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School41.7
#62Colmers School and Sixth Form College41.7
#63King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy41.4
#64Erdington Academy40.6
#65Stockland Green School40.3
#66Kings Heath Secondary School40.0
#67Bartley Green School39.9
#68Moseley School and Sixth Form39.7
#69The Royal Sutton School39.7
#70Holte School39.4
#71Saltley Academy39.4
#72Rockwood Academy39.1
#73Cockshut Hill School38.3
#74Fortis Academy37.9
#75Turves Green Boys' School37.3
#76Ark Kings Academy36.5
#77Bournville School36.5
#78City Academy36.4
#79Tile Cross Academy35.6
#80Jewellery Quarter Academy35.2
#81Star King Solomon Academy34.1
#82George Dixon Academy33.3
#83Lift Greenwood31.8
#84E-ACT Shenley Academy31.6
#85Waverley Studio College21.9

Leaver Destinations

In education, employment, or training a year later: 90.0%
Went into further education: 87.0%
Data year: 2024/25

About leaver destinations

This shows where a school's Year 11 leavers were recorded the following year - in a "sustained" destination means in education, an apprenticeship, or employment for at least 6 months, not just enrolled briefly. It's a different picture from exam results alone, and can highlight schools that support pupils well beyond just their GCSE grades.

GCSE Subjects Offered

Maths (General)
English Language
English Literature
Science Double Award
Geography
Business Studies
History
Religious Studies
Biology
Physics (General)
French Language
Chemistry (General)
Spanish
Computer Science
Sociology
Food Technology
Art & Design
Media Studies
Italian
Punjabi
Russian
Chinese

About this subject list

This isn't the school's own description of its curriculum - it's real DfE exam entry data, showing which GCSE subjects this school's pupils were actually entered for in 2024/25. A subject not appearing here may still be taught but had no pupils entered that year, so treat this as a helpful guide rather than a complete guarantee - it's worth confirming directly with the school for the year your child would actually study.

View full Ofsted inspection report

32nd of 64 secondary schools in Birmingham for Ofsted rating

#30Holte SchoolGood
#31Holy Trinity Catholic SchoolGood
#32Holyhead SchoolGood
#33King Edward VI Balaam Wood AcademyGood
#34King Edward VI Five Ways SchoolGood

Click to see the full ranking

Ofsted Rating ranking

Based on real Ofsted ratings (via official DfE data) for schools on the same four-word grading scale.

Rank School Score

#1Aston Manor AcademyOutstanding
#2Bishop Vesey's Grammar SchoolOutstanding
#3Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Birmingham EastOutstanding
#4Eden Boys' School, BirminghamOutstanding
#5Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, BirminghamOutstanding
#6King Edward VI Aston SchoolOutstanding
#7King Edward VI Camp Hill School for BoysOutstanding
#8King Edward VI Camp Hill School for GirlsOutstanding
#9Kings Norton Girls' SchoolOutstanding
#10St Paul's School for GirlsOutstanding
#11Swanshurst SchoolOutstanding
#12Ark Boulton AcademyGood
#13Ark Kings AcademyGood
#14Ark St Alban's AcademyGood
#15Ark Victoria AcademyGood
#16Bartley Green SchoolGood
#17Birmingham Ormiston AcademyGood
#18Bishop Walsh Catholic SchoolGood
#19Bordesley Green Girls' School & Sixth FormGood
#20Broadway AcademyGood
#21Cockshut Hill SchoolGood
#22Dame Elizabeth Cadbury SchoolGood
#23Erdington AcademyGood
#24FairfaxGood
#25Fortis AcademyGood
#26Hall Green SchoolGood
#27Hamstead Hall AcademyGood
#28Harborne AcademyGood
#29Hillcrest School and Sixth Form CentreGood
#30Holte SchoolGood
#31Holy Trinity Catholic SchoolGood
#32Holyhead SchoolGood
#33King Edward VI Balaam Wood AcademyGood
#34King Edward VI Five Ways SchoolGood
#35King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for BoysGood
#36King Edward VI King's Norton School for BoysGood
#37King Edward VI Lordswood School for GirlsGood
#38King Edward VI Sheldon Heath AcademyGood
#39Kings Heath Secondary SchoolGood
#40Lift Four Dwellings SecondaryGood
#41Ninestiles, an AcademyGood
#42Plantsbrook SchoolGood
#43Prince Albert High SchoolGood
#44Queensbridge SchoolGood
#45Rockwood AcademyGood
#46Saltley AcademyGood
#47Selly Park Girls' SchoolGood
#48Small Heath Leadership AcademyGood
#49St John Wall Catholic SchoolGood
#50St Thomas Aquinas Catholic SchoolGood
#51Starbank SchoolGood
#52Stockland Green SchoolGood
#53Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for GirlsGood
#54The Arthur Terry SchoolGood
#55The Royal Sutton SchoolGood
#56The University of Birmingham SchoolGood
#57Tile Cross AcademyGood
#58Turves Green Boys' SchoolGood
#59Washwood Heath AcademyGood
#60Waverley SchoolGood
#61Waverley Studio CollegeGood
#62Yardleys SchoolGood
#63Bournville SchoolRequires improvement
#64Christ Church, Church of England Secondary AcademyRequires improvement

Financials

Spending per pupil: £8,288 (2024-25)

About this spending figure

A higher or lower position here isn't a sign of a better or worse school - schools have different needs and circumstances - but it can help reassure you that a school has sufficient funding behind your child's education.

40th of 88 secondary schools in Birmingham for spending per pupil

#38Saltley Academy£8,318
#39Hodge Hill Girls' School£8,303
#40Holyhead School£8,288
#41Aston Manor Academy£8,251
#42King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy£8,144

Click to see the full ranking

Spending Per Pupil ranking

Based on official DfE financial return data (Consistent Financial Reporting / Academies Accounts Return) - not a ranking of school quality.

Rank School Score

#1Bishop Challoner Catholic College£10,588
#2Holte School£10,296
#3Ark St Alban's Academy£9,920
#4Harborne Academy£9,838
#5Ark Kings Academy£9,821
#6St John Wall Catholic School£9,747
#7Ark Boulton Academy£9,710
#8Cockshut Hill School£9,679
#9Yardleys School£9,558
#10Moseley School and Sixth Form£9,374
#11Kings Heath Secondary School£9,373
#12Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School£9,347
#13King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy£9,313
#14Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre£9,291
#15Turves Green Boys' School£9,279
#16Selly Park Girls' School£9,217
#17Colmers School and Sixth Form College£9,105
#18Aston University Engineering Academy£9,051
#19Bartley Green School£9,029
#20George Dixon Academy£9,018
#21Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School£8,906
#22King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls£8,868
#23Holy Trinity Catholic School£8,856
#24Bordesley Green Girls' School & Sixth Form£8,821
#25Queensbridge School£8,794
#26Lift Greenwood£8,741
#27Hodge Hill College£8,665
#28City Academy£8,654
#29Tile Cross Academy£8,598
#30Jewellery Quarter Academy£8,568
#31Wheelers Lane Technology College£8,547
#32Fortis Academy£8,547
#33The University of Birmingham School£8,499
#34Waverley Studio College£8,463
#35Waverley School£8,420
#36Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School£8,404
#37Broadway Academy£8,369
#38Saltley Academy£8,318
#39Hodge Hill Girls' School£8,303
#40Holyhead School£8,288
#41Aston Manor Academy£8,251
#42King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy£8,144
#43King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys£8,120
#44Hamstead Hall Academy£8,108
#45Lift Four Dwellings Secondary£8,103
#46Nishkam High School£8,101
#47St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School£8,082
#48Ark Victoria Academy£7,988
#49Arena Academy£7,925
#50St Edmund Campion Catholic School£7,886
#51Washwood Heath Academy£7,823
#52St Paul's School for Girls£7,712
#53Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Birmingham£7,708
#54Erdington Academy£7,650
#55Bournville School£7,577
#56E-ACT Heartlands Academy£7,571
#57King Edward VI Aston School£7,567
#58Lordswood Boys' School£7,546
#59Small Heath Leadership Academy£7,532
#60Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Birmingham East£7,445
#61King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy£7,432
#62E-ACT North Birmingham Academy£7,391
#63King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys£7,357
#64Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy£7,352
#65King Edward VI Five Ways School£7,240
#66King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls£7,216
#67Eden Boys' School, Birmingham£7,163
#68Ninestiles, an Academy£7,125
#69Bishop Vesey's Grammar School£7,098
#70King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys£7,029
#71King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls£6,966
#72BOA Digital Technologies Academy£6,947
#73Prince Albert High School£6,920
#74Rockwood Academy£6,765
#75Starbank School£6,730
#76Bishop Walsh Catholic School£6,716
#77Stockland Green School£6,627
#78King Edward VI Handsworth School£6,560
#79The Royal Sutton School£6,549
#80Plantsbrook School£6,529
#81The Arthur Terry School£6,462
#82Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls£6,441
#83Birmingham Ormiston Academy£6,228
#84Fairfax£5,990
#85E-ACT Shenley Academy£5,795
#86Swanshurst School£4,844
#87Kings Norton Girls' School£4,517
#88Hall Green School£218

View on the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool (GOV.UK)

Have you rated Holyhead School yet? Your experience helps other parents.

Rate this school

General Information

Who goes here

Staff

Teachers leaving each year

Behaviour

Across Birmingham: suspensions by reason

Attendance

SEN

Most common needs - SEN Support

Most common needs - EHC Plan

Educational Attainment

Attainment 8 ranking

Leaver Destinations ?

GCSE Subjects Offered ?

Ofsted Rating ranking

Financials

Spending Per Pupil ranking

Leaver Destinations

GCSE Subjects Offered