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OpenMiddle deemed secondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 138844

Holywell School

Academy converter · Bedford · MK43 0JA

Ages 9–13 · 668 pupils · Central Bedfordshire

Ofsted

School remains Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

58%

Overall absence

5.8%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-09-21

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)58%
Higher standard (RWM)3%
Avg scaled score — reading
104.0
Avg scaled score — maths
104.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
103.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence5.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)14.0%
Unauthorised1.2%
Authorised absence
4.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.1%
Enrolments in measure
737

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill93%

668 pupils · 720 places

Pupils on roll
668
Boys / girls
341 / 327
School capacity
720
Capacity fill
668 / 720 (93%)
Free school meals
17.4%
FSM pupils
116
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 9–13

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of St Albans
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: HOLYWELL CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY
Academy trust
HOLYWELL CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY
Headteacher
Headteacher Michael Simpson

Location

Address
Red Lion Close, Cranfield
Postcode
MK43 0JA
Town
Bedford
County
Bedfordshire
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
District
Central Bedfordshire
Constituency
Mid Bedfordshire
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (middle deemed secondary), Ages 9–13, in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, 668 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 17.4%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of St Albans.

Open schools in Bedford
104
Middle deemed secondary schools in Bedford
5
Academies among open schools in Bedford
46% (48)
Open schools in MK43
20
Middle deemed secondary in MK43
2
Open schools in Central Bedfordshire LA
135
Middle deemed secondary in Central Bedfordshire LA
12

Nearby middle deemed secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

  • Academy converter · Primary

    Bedford · MK43 0DR · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM6.4%
    • Demand1.21

    0.1 miles away

  • Higher education institutions

    Cranfield · MK43 0AL · Central Bedfordshire

    1.1 miles away

  • North Crawley CofE School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Newport Pagnell · MK16 9LL · Milton Keynes

    Ages 4–7

    • Absence9.2%
    • FSM7.1%
    • Demand1.00

    2.4 miles away

  • Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Marston Moreteyne · MK43 0NE · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM11.0%
    • Demand0.95

    2.5 miles away

  • Community school · Primary

    Bedford · MK43 0SB · Central Bedfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence3.9%
    • FSM9.4%
    • Demand1.00

    2.7 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Headteacher Michael Simpson
Telephone
01234750381

Official links