The Hollins
Accrington, BB5 2QY · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
44th of 82 secondary schools in Lancashire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.1/10 against 648 of them, against 3.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 34.8 · 24 | 30% | 0.72 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.16 · 38 | 25% | 0.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.9 · 28 | 10% | 0.28 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Hollins overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024-11. In 2024/25, 33.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.16 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 794 pupils against a stated capacity of 800. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students with similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Hollins
Overview
The Hollins has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils are described as polite, kind, and considerate, contributing to a "calm and respectful atmosphere" where they respond well to high expectations. Most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well and are happy.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy an "impressive range of activities" including musical productions, sports, and clubs that develop their talents.
- The school ensures pupils access trips and experiences, such as cultural visits, that "deepen their understanding of the subjects that they study."
- Leaders create a culture where "everyone is valued and included" and make decisions in the best interests of pupils.
- Staff work with precision to help pupils become "confident and fluent readers," swiftly addressing gaps in phonics knowledge.
- The school provides a comprehensive range of experiences that prepares pupils well for adulthood, resulting in "high aspirations for their futures."
Areas to improve
- Staff should be quicker to identify and address gaps and misconceptions in learning so pupils do not move on before they are ready.
- Staff must ensure pupils have sufficient understanding of subject-specific vocabulary to communicate with accuracy and achieve as well as they should.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.0 |
| 2024/25 | 40.7 |
| 2025/26 | 41.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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