Honley High School Review 2026: Academic Ambition in the Holme Valley

Honley High School occupies a prominent position in the Holme Valley, serving as a cornerstone of the local community in West Yorkshire. With a capacity for 1,285 students, it is a significant secondary provider that consistently draws high interest from families in Honley, Holmfirth, and the surrounding villages. The school maintains a solid reputation for balancing academic rigour with a broad, inclusive curriculum.

The school is currently led by Mrs Liz Lord, who was appointed as Headteacher in March 2024 after serving in an interim capacity. Under her leadership, the school has continued its trajectory as a high performing secondary within the Together Learning Trust, a partnership it joined in 2022. Recent performance data confirms that students here make progress that sits well above the England average, particularly in core academic subjects. The atmosphere is purposeful and orderly, benefiting from a rural setting that provides ample space for both sport and quiet reflection.

The school sits on a large site overlooking the valley, with a mixture of traditional and more modern buildings that reflect its growth over decades. Despite its size, Honley manages to maintain a sense of individual identity for its students, aided by a strong house system that creates smaller communities within the wider school.

There is a palpable sense of pride in the school's heritage and its role as a local hub. The culture is one of high expectations; students are expected to take responsibility for their conduct and their learning. External observations confirm that behaviour is a strength, with students appearing engaged in lessons and respectful to staff. This is not a school that relies on gimmicks; rather, it focuses on the fundamentals of good teaching and a supportive environment where students feel safe to challenge themselves.

The integration into the Together Learning Trust has brought a renewed focus on collaborative professional development for staff, which translates into a consistent classroom experience for students. While the school is large, the pastoral structures ensure that no individual is lost in the crowd, with a dedicated team of year leaders and support staff who manage the transition from primary school with particular care.

Honley High School consistently produces results that outperform local and England averages. The school ranks 1,280th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 2nd among secondaries in the Holmfirth area, placing it in a strong position locally. This performance reflects a solid academic foundation, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

In the most recent measurement period, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51.3, which is significantly higher than the England average of 46.2. More importantly for many parents, the Progress 8 score of +0.28 indicates that students at Honley make more progress between the end of primary school and their GCSEs than similar students in other schools.

Academic breadth is also evident in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) figures. Approximately 21.3% of students achieved grade 5 or above in the EBacc, supported by an EBacc Average Point Score of 4.57, which exceeds the England average of 4.08. These metrics suggest that the school successfully steers a significant portion of its cohort through a demanding suite of academic subjects.

The curriculum at Honley is designed to be both ambitious and accessible. In the lower years, students follow a broad programme that includes strong provision in the arts and technology alongside core subjects. As they move towards GCSEs, the school offers a wide range of options, including both traditional academic subjects and vocational pathways that cater to the diverse interests of the student body.

The school features specialist classes for students with additional needs, ensuring that the curriculum is adapted effectively for those who require more tailored support. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their ability to use assessment data to identify and support students who may be falling behind.

The use of technology in the classroom is integrated but not overbearing, with a focus on using digital tools to enhance rather than replace traditional teaching methods. Homework is set regularly and is designed to consolidate classroom learning, with a clear expectation that students take ownership of their independent study.

Where Students Go Next

As a 11-16 school, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. While Honley does not have its own sixth form, it maintains very strong links with local post-16 providers, including Greenhead College, New College Huddersfield, and Kirklees College.

The school provides a comprehensive careers programme that starts early in Key Stage 3. Students benefit from one to one careers interviews, employer visits, and workshops designed to help them navigate the variety of A-level, T-level, and apprenticeship options available in the region. The vast majority of students successfully transition to their first choice post-16 destination, a testament to the school's focus on long term outcomes rather than just exam results.

Honley High School is a popular choice and is currently oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 617 applications for 205 places, representing a subscription proportion of 3.01. This means there are approximately three applications for every available seat, making entry competitive.

Admissions are managed by Kirklees Council. Priority is given to children with an EHCP naming the school, followed by looked-after children, siblings, and those living within the defined catchment area. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise location in relation to the school's priority admission area. Because demand is high, families living outside the immediate Honley and Holmfirth area often find it difficult to secure a place unless they have a sibling already at the school.

The wellbeing of students is central to the school's ethos. Honley operates a robust pastoral system where every student is part of a form group that meets daily. This provides a consistent point of contact for both students and parents.

The school has invested in specialist support for mental health and emotional wellbeing, including access to counselling and pastoral mentors. For students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the "Special Classes" designation in the official record highlights the school's capacity for targeted intervention. The SENCO and their team are highly visible and work closely with classroom teachers to ensure that individual needs are met through Quality First Teaching and specific support plans.

Extracurricular life at Honley is vibrant and reflects the school's commitment to "Character Education." The school offers a wide array of clubs that cater to varied interests, moving beyond typical sports offerings.

STEM: Innovation and Discovery

The school has a strong reputation for STEM enrichment. Students can participate in the Lego Robotics Club, which competes regionally, and the Greenpower Racing team, where students design, build, and race electric cars. These initiatives provide practical applications for physics and engineering concepts learned in the classroom.

The arts are also well represented. The Honley High School Jazz Band is a local fixture, performing at community events and school concerts. Drama students have the opportunity to participate in large-scale annual productions, which often involve over a hundred students across performance, technical, and stage management roles.

Sports provision is extensive, making use of the school's significant outdoor space. There are successful teams in football, netball, rugby, and athletics, with many students representing the school at district and county levels.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. Honley High is well served by local bus routes, and many students from the surrounding villages use the dedicated school bus services. For those walking, the school is accessible from the centre of Honley, though the final approach involves a significant incline.

While there is a popular "Honley School Out of School club" nearby that serves local primary pupils, secondary students at the High School primarily engage in the wide range of supervised after school enrichment clubs. There is a breakfast service available in the dining hall from 8:00am, providing a social and nutritional start to the day.

• High Demand for Places: With over three applications for every offer, the school is significantly oversubscribed. Families moving into the area mid-year may find it challenging to secure a place immediately.
• Physical Landscape: The site is hilly and spread out across several buildings. While the school has made significant adaptations for accessibility, students with physical mobility issues should visit to ensure the layout is manageable for them.
• No Internal Sixth Form: The transition at age 16 requires students to move to a different institution. While the school manages this well, it means students must be prepared for another significant change after five years.
• Rural Catchment: While the setting is beautiful, it can lead to transport challenges during extreme winter weather, though the school is experienced in managing these disruptions.

Honley High School is a high performing, community focused secondary that delivers academic results well above the England average without losing sight of student wellbeing. It offers a structured, ambitious environment that rewards hard work and participation. It is best suited to families in the Holme Valley who want a school that combines strong GCSE outcomes with a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities in STEM and the arts. The main challenge for prospective families is the high level of competition for places.