Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Selkirk Drive, Holmes Chapel, Crewe, CW4 7DXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School is a secondary school in Crewe for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 175 schools in Cheshire East. It ranks 3rd of 8 secondary schools in Crewe. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2020.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 February 2020, report published 10 March 2020

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 January 2025

Pupils and students in the sixth form are proud to be part of this inclusive community. They feel safe when they are in school. They know who to speak to if they are worried or upset. Pupils enjoy good, honest relationships with senior staff and teachers. Most pupils live up to the school's high expectations about behaviour. In lessons, they listen respectfully to their teachers and to each other. During social times, many pupils enjoy meeting up with their friends at one of the many picnic benches around the school. The school is ambitious for all pupils. Staff are determined that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), gain the knowledge and skills that they need to thrive in their future lives. Overall, pupils in key stage 4 and in the sixth form achieve well in public examinations. Pupils gain the knowledge they need to live safe and happy lives. They learn about a wide range of topics in form periods, assemblies and personal development lessons. Recently, the school has begun to rebuild the programme of extra-curricular opportunities and school visits, which lapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, in key stages 3 and 4, some teachers do not consistently use the most effective strategies to help pupils understand subject content. As a result, pupils have gaps in their knowledge and understanding. This hinders how well they progress through the curriculum. The school should ensure that all teachers are fully equipped to deliver the curriculum content consistently well so that pupils know and remember important knowledge.
  • In a few subjects, teachers do not routinely check pupils' understanding well enough. This means that some pupils' misconceptions go unchecked. Some pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, develop gaps in their knowledge. The school should ensure that in all subjects, teachers identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge so that pupils can build on what they know.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

230 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.2

48.2, 2.1 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths43.5%

43.5%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths69.6%

69.6%, 4.8 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc15.2%

15.2%, 25.3 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.06

4.06, 0.03 below the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

60 students

Average point score per A level entry28.57

28.57, 6.43 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,311 pupils on roll, with places for 1,395

Eligible for free school meals12.5%

12.5%, 14 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.4%

2.4%, 19.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support7.4%

7.4%, 7.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.3%

4.3%, 1.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Middlewich High School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 41.2
Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College4 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 55.6
The Lodge AP4 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Sandbach School4 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstandingAttainment 8: 48.2
Congleton High School5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.8

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
HOLMES CHAPEL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Nigel Bielby
Address
Selkirk Drive, Holmes Chapel, Crewe, CW4 7DX
Local authority
Cheshire East
URN
137449

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.