University Academy Holbeach
Spalding, PE12 7PU · Lincolnshire · secondary school
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45th of 54 secondary schools in Lincolnshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 1.5/10 against 649 of them, against 1.3/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 23.8 · 6 | 46% | 0.30 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.42 · 20 | 38% | 0.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.7 · 14 | 15% | 0.22 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
University Academy Holbeach overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.42 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Ten-Pin Bowling, Rugby, Tri-Golf, and Football clubs, and go on a ski trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,378 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 attainment gap with the national median? What specific interventions are in place for students with a negative Progress 8 score?
What Ofsted said about University Academy Holbeach
Overview
University Academy Holbeach is described as a “welcoming school” where pupils feel safe and enjoy positive relationships with staff. While behaviour, personal development, and sixth-form provision are rated Good, the quality of education and leadership require improvement due to inconsistent curriculum delivery and insufficient oversight.
Strengths
- Pupils are “happy” and feel safe, with discrimination “never tolerated” and bullying taken “very seriously”.
- The curriculum offers a “very broad range” of academic and vocational subjects, including expert-led vocational courses in “exceptionally well-resourced classrooms”.
- Personal development is well supported through effective PSHE, extra-curricular activities, and detailed career guidance, helping pupils prepare for life after school.
- Sixth-form provision is rated Good, with students achieving well when teachers use expert knowledge to adapt activities to their needs.
- Robust systems identify pupils with additional needs quickly, and specialist staff provide strong support for reading fluency and comprehension.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must “check pupils’ understanding accurately” and act swiftly to resolve knowledge gaps and misconceptions, as pupils currently struggle to make connections in their learning.
- Teachers need to “systematically adapt learning activities” to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, to ensure appropriate support and challenge.
- Senior and trust leaders must ensure closer oversight of curriculum improvements, with clear actions and rigorous monitoring to verify effectiveness.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.9 |
| 2024/25 | 39.9 |
| 2025/26 | 38.7 |
| 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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