Holywell School is a mainstream middle school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, for children and young people aged 9 to 13. In January 2026, 105 of its 668 pupils (15.7%) were getting SEN support and 23 (3.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 9–13
- 668 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Central Bedfordshire.
15.7% get SEN support
105 of 668 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.4% have an EHC plan
23 of 668 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 difficulty49
- Social, emotional and mental health34
- Speech, language and communication15
- Autism12
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia11
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 middle school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 9 to 13
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 668 (places for 720)
- Headteacher
- Headteacher Michael Simpson
- Part of
- Holywell Church of England Academy
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 17.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 138844
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 Central Bedfordshire 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, October 2014; school remains Good (July 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2014. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, July 2023).
Contact and getting there
Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0JA
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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
- Ridgeway School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.8 miles
- Kempston Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 4.8 miles
- Rivertree Free School Special school · Ages 2–19 5.7 miles
- Orchard Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 · Ofsted: Good 6.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Cranfield Church of England Academy Primary · Ages 2–9 · SEN support 8.8%, EHC plans 3.5% 0.2 miles
- North Crawley CofE School Primary · Ages 4–7 · SEN support 10.7%, EHC plans 0% 2.4 miles
- Marston Moreteyne VC School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 4.8%, EHC plans 4.3% 2.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire SEND schools in Central Bedfordshire
Questions about Holywell School
How many pupils at Holywell School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 105 of the 668 pupils (15.7%) were getting SEN support and 23 (3.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Holywell School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (49 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (34 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (15 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Holywell School?
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 Holywell School?
Through Central Bedfordshire 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 Holywell School?
You can ask for Holywell School 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 Holywell School 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 Kempston Academy, about 4.8 miles away.
Where is Holywell School?
Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0JA, in Central Bedfordshire.
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.