Academy converter · Somerset

Holyrood Academy

11–18Ages
1,282Pupils
SecondaryPhase
Sixth formAges 16–18
136295URN

Zembard Lane, Chard, TA20 1JL · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school

Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Feb 2023 Previous framework

Good

Quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management

What Ofsted found

Applications per place · Sept 2026

1.2per place

0.2 below Somerset median (1.4)

Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther secondary schools in Somerset

242 applications for 207 places · 21st of 23 in Somerset

Every year since 2014

Attainment 8 · 2025/26 (provisional)

42.9of 90

Somerset 44.0 England 46.0

16th of 27 in Somerset

All GCSE results

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Overall effectiveness: Good · 7 February 2023Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024)
Area	Outstanding	Good	Requires improvement	Inadequate
Quality of education		Good
Behaviour and attitudes		Good
Personal development		Good
Leadership and management		Good
Sixth form provision		Good

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry

1.2applications per place, Year 7

0.2 below Somerset median (1.4) 1.1 below England median (2.2)

242 applications · 207 places offered · 205 named it first

2026 1.2; Somerset median median 1.4
2025 1.1; Somerset median median 1.3
2024 1.2; Somerset median median 1.2
2023 1.2; Somerset median median 1.2
2022 1.2; Somerset median median 1.3
2021 1.1; Somerset median median 1.3
2020 1.1; Somerset median median 1.4
2019 1.1; Somerset median median 1.4
2018 1.1; Somerset median median 1.5
2017 1.1; Somerset median median 1.6
2016 1.1; Somerset median median 1.6
2015 1.1; Somerset median median 1.7
2014 1.1; Somerset median median 1.5

More applications per place than the Somerset median in 0 of 13 years.

This school
Somerset median

Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

Entry	Places	Applications	Per place	First preferences	First-pref. ratio
Sep 2026	207	242	1.2	205	0.99
Sep 2025	203	220	1.1	193	0.95
Sep 2024	238	274	1.2	237	1.00
Sep 2023	228	271	1.2	229	1.00
Sep 2022	240	284	1.2	249	1.04
Sep 2021	235	263	1.1	241	1.03
Sep 2020	231	243	1.1	230	1.00
Sep 2019	221	246	1.1	219	0.99
Sep 2018	216	236	1.1	211	0.98
Sep 2017	224	236	1.1	218	0.97
Sep 2016	217	231	1.1	207	0.95
Sep 2015	210	224	1.1	205	0.98
Sep 2014	202	222	1.1	195	0.97

How did pupils do at GCSE?

DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisional

236 pupils took GCSEs in 2025/26.

Attainment 8 (out of 90)42.916th of 27 in Somerset

Somerset 44.0 England 46.0

Grade 5 or above in English and maths37%16th of 27 in Somerset

Somerset 39% England 45%

Grade 4 or above in English and maths59%

Somerset 61% England 66%

This school
Somerset median
England median

Progress 8 (2023/24, the latest published)−0.16

−20 = national average+2

Every year as a table

Year	Pupils	Attainment 8	5+ Eng & maths	4+ Eng & maths	Progress 8
2025/26 (prov.)	236	42.9	37%	59%	–
2024/25	232	42.4	30%	56%	–
2023/24	229	44.8	42%	63%	−0.16
2022/23	225	45.0	38%	62%	−0.11

Progress 8 is not published for 2024/25 or 2025/26: those pupils had no key stage 2 tests in 2020 and 2021.

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

Holyrood AcademyThis school
This school

Good2023

1.2applications per place 42.9Attainment 8
Axe Valley Academy
10.5 km · Devon

Good2023

1.4applications per place 39.7Attainment 8
Wadham School
12.8 km · Somerset

Graded · no overall grade2025

1.5applications per place 41.7Attainment 8
The Woodroffe School
16.3 km · Dorset

Good2023

2.0applications per place 50.0Attainment 8
Bishop Fox's School
17.0 km · Somerset

Remains Good2023

3.0applications per place 49.7Attainment 8
Beaminster School
17.2 km · Dorset

Good2023

1.7applications per place 45.4Attainment 8
Honiton Community College
17.9 km · Devon

Graded · no overall grade2025

1.1applications per place 44.5Attainment 8
Colyton Grammar School
18.1 km · Devon

Outstanding2022

1.4applications per place 78.3Attainment 8 Selective
Stanchester Academy
18.8 km · Somerset

Graded · no overall grade2024

1.4applications per place 45.9Attainment 8

School details

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
URN · DfE number: 136295 · 933/4274
Trust: Blackdown Education Partnership
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Capacity: 1,300 pupils · 1,282 on roll
Free school meals: 27.4% of pupils (England median 23%)
Opened: 1 September 2010
Replaced: Holyrood Community School (URN 123870)
Address: Zembard Lane, Chard, TA20 1JL
Local authority: Somerset

Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources