University Academy Holbeach is a mainstream secondary school in Spalding, Lincolnshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 243 of its 1,378 pupils (17.6%) were getting SEN support and 51 (3.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,378 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Lincolnshire.
17.6% get SEN support
243 of 1,378 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.7% have an EHC plan
51 of 1,378 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty81
- Autism44
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia40
- Social, emotional and mental health32
- Speech, language and communication16
- Hearing impairment7
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
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,378 (places for 1,400)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jennifer Brassington (Principal)
- Part of
- University of Lincoln Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 35.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Lincolnshire
- School reference (URN)
- 137282
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 Lincolnshire 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
Graded by area, November 2024
Inspected in November 2024. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationRequires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementRequires improvement
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Park Road, Holbeach, Spalding, PE12 7PU
Loading the map…
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
- Three Chestnuts Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.3 miles
- Tudor Lodge Therapeutic School Independent · Ages 7–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.0 miles
- Marshland High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 11 miles
- Terrington St Clement Community School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 12 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Holbeach Primary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 19.7%, EHC plans 7.1% 0.2 miles
- The Holbeach William Stukeley Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 7.8%, EHC plans 5.5% 0.5 miles
- Holbeach Bank Primary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20.2%, EHC plans 9.5% 1.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Lincolnshire SEND schools in Lincolnshire
Questions about University Academy Holbeach
How many pupils at University Academy Holbeach have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 243 of the 1,378 pupils (17.6%) were getting SEN support and 51 (3.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at University Academy Holbeach?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (81 pupils), autism (44 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (40 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at University Academy Holbeach?
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 University Academy Holbeach?
Through Lincolnshire 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 University Academy Holbeach?
You can ask for University Academy Holbeach 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 University Academy Holbeach 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 Marshland High School, about 11 miles away.
Where is University Academy Holbeach?
Park Road, Holbeach, Spalding, PE12 7PU, in Lincolnshire.
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.