Holly Spring Primary School

Holly Spring Primary School has been rated as good overall in its first routine inspection since the COVID-19 pandemic. The school demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its pupils, creating a warm and inclusive environment where students feel valued and supported. Despite the strong efforts made by the leadership and staff, the school acknowledges past challenges in achieving higher outcomes in key stage 2 assessments, particularly in reading, mathematics, and writing, which fell below the national average in 2023. However, current teaching practices indicate a more secure improvement in pupil achievement, aligning with the school’s ambitious educational goals. The curriculum at Holly Spring Primary showcases strong ambition and is well-sequenced, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. While the core subjects of reading and mathematics are effectively assessed, some subjects require improved clarity in essential learning and consistent assessment practices. Overall, the positive school culture, focus on personal development, and proactive governance contribute significantly to the quality of education provided to the students.

Strengths

• Pupils exhibit impressive manners and a sense of pride in their school.
• The school prioritizes mental health and well-being for all students.
• Curriculum development shows strong ambition, including for pupils with EHC plans.
• Staff maintain high expectations and adapt learning strategies effectively.
• Teachers demonstrate clear understanding and explanations of new ideas.
• Pupils' behaviour is excellent, contributing to a positive learning environment.
• Strong emphasis on phonics teaching from the Reception year.
• Personal development curriculum is well planned and responsive to community needs.

Areas for Improvement

• Achievement in reading, mathematics, and writing in 2023 was much lower than national averages.
• Some subjects, like science, lack sufficiently detailed knowledge requirements.
• Inconsistent use of assessment in foundation subjects affects understanding of pupil learning.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Holly Spring Primary School attended 95.2% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 11.5% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 1.1% of pupils at Holly Spring Primary School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Holly Spring Primary School had 17.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 24.5% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 16.1% of pupils at Holly Spring Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 5.5% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Holly Spring Primary School received £7,181 and spent £6,977 for each of its 594 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £478,000 (£805 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Bracknell · Bracknell Forest local authority: places and applications

What is Holly Spring Primary School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Holly Spring Primary School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Holly Spring Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?

Holly Spring Primary School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Holly Spring Primary School have?

Holly Spring Primary School has 603 pupils on roll.

What age range does Holly Spring Primary School cover?

Holly Spring Primary School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Holly Spring Primary School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 48% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Holly Spring Primary School?

Holly Spring Primary School is at Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2SW.