The Holden School

The Holden School is performing well overall, demonstrating a good quality of education across multiple domains. Pupils feel safe and valued, quickly adapting to the school's supportive environment despite prior challenges. The school emphasizes high expectations for both social and academic achievements, with a curriculum tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of its students. Staff play a crucial role in fostering positive relationships and ensuring that pupils develop the necessary skills to thrive both in and out of the classroom, engaging them through a range of extracurricular activities and vocational opportunities. Despite its strengths, the school faces challenges in the consistent delivery of its curriculum, particularly in the phonics program and some subject areas, which have led to some pupils underachieving. The leadership has identified these areas for improvement and is working towards more effective implementation strategies. Overall, The Holden School maintains a strong commitment to supporting its students and adapting its practices to better serve their needs.

Strengths

• Pupils feel comfortable, valued, and safe at the school.
• The school has high expectations for social and academic achievement.
• The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured.
• Strong commitment to helping pupils achieve their potential.
• Teachers effectively assess and identify pupils' starting points.
• Comprehensive support for pupils with SEND.
• Positive attitude towards learning among pupils.
• Staff are well trained and supported.
• Effective safeguarding arrangements are in place.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent implementation of the phonics program.
• Delivery of the curriculum is uneven in some subjects.
• Some pupils struggle with reading fluency and accuracy.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at The Holden School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is The Holden School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Holden School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was The Holden School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Holden School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does The Holden School have?

The Holden School has 70 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Holden School cover?

The Holden School for pupils aged 4 to 18.

Where is The Holden School?

The Holden School is at Firs Lane, Leigh, Greater Manchester, WN7 4SB.