Holly Lodge High School College of Science is a mainstream secondary school in Smethwick, Sandwell, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 167 of its 1,636 pupils (10.2%) were getting SEN support and 26 (1.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,636 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Sandwell.
10.2% get SEN support
167 of 1,636 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
1.6% have an EHC plan
26 of 1,636 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health62
- Moderate learning difficulty41
- Speech, language and communication35
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia17
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Foundation school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,636 (places for 1,650)
- Headteacher
- Mr Imran Iqbal
- Part of
- The Smethwick Health and Wellbeing Education Trust
- Free school meals
- 46.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Sandwell
- School reference (URN)
- 104018
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Sandwell council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, May 2013; school remains Good (March 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in May 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, March 2022).
Contact and getting there
Holly Lane, Smethwick, B67 7JG
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Devonshire Junior Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Devonshire Infant Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–7 0.5 miles
- The Orchard School Special school · Ages 2–11 1.3 miles
- Myles Academy Independent · Ages 13–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Holly Lodge High School College of Science
How many pupils at Holly Lodge High School College of Science have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 167 of the 1,636 pupils (10.2%) were getting SEN support and 26 (1.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Holly Lodge High School College of Science?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (62 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (41 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (35 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Holly Lodge High School College of Science?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Holly Lodge High School College of Science?
Through Sandwell council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Holly Lodge High School College of Science?
You can ask for Holly Lodge High School College of Science to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Holly Lodge High School College of Science have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Devonshire Junior Academy, about 0.5 miles away.
Where is Holly Lodge High School College of Science?
Holly Lane, Smethwick, B67 7JG, in Sandwell.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.