SCHOOL PROFILE

The Holden School

Not applicable Other independent special school URN 146988
Open
Pupils 8,834,192 Latest school census
Capacity 84 Published school capacity
Capacity used 83.3% Pupils as a share of capacity
Age range 4 – 18 Statutory age range
OFSTED

Ofsted inspection information

No published inspection data

No Ofsted inspection record is currently held for this school.

SCHOOL DETAILS

About this school

School type Other independent special school
Phase Not applicable
Gender Mixed
Religious character —
Local authority Wigan
Trust Not applicable
Census date 18 January 2024
PUPIL PROFILE

School community

Latest published pupil characteristics for 2025/26.

2025/26
Total pupils 70 70 full-time · 0 part-time
Female pupils 11 15.7% of pupils
Male pupils 59 84.3% of pupils

Free school meals

Pupils eligible for free school meals.

—
School —
Wigan 29.4%
North West 28.5%
England 24.8%

English as an additional language

Pupils whose first language is not English.

—
School —
Wigan 11.9%
North West 18.1%
England 20.3%

Young carers

Pupils recorded as young carers.

—
School —
Wigan 0.5%
North West 0.8%
England 1.0%
Council, regional and national comparisons are pupil-weighted using published school census counts.
ADDITIONAL NEEDS

Special educational needs

Pupils receiving SEN support or with an education, health and care plan.

2025/26
Pupils with SEN 100.0% 70 of 70 pupils
79.2 pts above England England: 20.8%
School 100.0%
Wigan 22.5%
North West 22.1%
England 20.8%
SEN support 0.0% 0 pupils
England 14.8% 14.8 pts below
EHC plans 100.0% 70 pupils
England 6.0% 94.0 pts above

SEN comparisons are pupil-weighted using published 2025/26 Department for Education school-level data. Primary needs combine pupils receiving SEN support and pupils with EHC plans.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Key stage 4 outcomes

Published Department for Education results for 2024/25.

2024/25
ATTAINMENT 8

Average attainment score

2.3 36.9 pts below England
School 2.3
Wigan 36.6
North West 37.7
England 39.2
English & maths grade 5+ 11.1% England 36.0% 24.9 pts below England
English & maths grade 4+ 11.1% England 51.4% 40.3 pts below England
EBacc entry 0.0% England 30.6% 30.6 pts below England
EBacc average point score 0.09 England 3.41
Progress 8 Not available for 2024/25

Comparisons are averages of published school-level results for open schools. They are not pupil-weighted official local authority attainment rates.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

School context

Comparison with open not applicable schools.

CAPACITY

Capacity utilisation

83.3% 3.6 pts above England
The Holden School
83.3%
Wigan
84.3%
North West
82.4%
England
79.8%
Benchmarks use open schools in the same phase. Capacity utilisation is calculated from published pupil and capacity figures.
Sources: Department for Education · Get Information about Schools