Holland Park School Review 2026: A School in Transition

Holland Park opened in 1958 as London's first purpose-built comprehensive school, famously nicknamed "the socialist Eton" for attracting families including the Benn dynasty and becoming a flagship for non-selective secondary education. The modernist architecture, designed by architects including Leslie Martin with his characteristic glass-panelled structures and natural light, remains striking. The school has endured significant recent institutional upheaval following serious revelations about safeguarding and pastoral care, culminating in an Inadequate rating in April 2022 under the previous leadership. Since January 2023, the school has operated as an academy within the United Learning trust with substantially reformed governance and leadership. The new structure brings both promise and uncertainty. Academic performance remains strong; A-level results in 2025 saw 33% of students achieve A*-A grades and 58% A*-B, while GCSE outcomes place the school in the top 25% nationally (FindMySchool ranking). However, families considering Holland Park must weigh this academic strength against the school's recent history and the ongoing nature of institutional recovery.

The school occupies a distinctive campus between Kensington and Notting Hill, where the original 1950s structures stand alongside the 2012 purpose-built modernist building completed after the previous administration's land sale. The newer building features extensive glazing, an atrium designed to showcase learning, specialist facilities for drama and the arts, and sixth form areas designed to feel separate from the main school environment. Teaching staff number around 80; student body is approximately 1,300 across Years 7-13.

Holland Park carries significant historical weight. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was deliberately designed as a fully non-selective, mixed-ability comprehensive, resisting the streaming approach common in grammar-focused London. The school attracted progressive families and became a place of genuine educational idealism. Notable alumni and staff include Hilary Benn (future Labour politician), Carolyn McCall (now ITV Chief Executive), Andy Mackay (saxophonist in Roxy Music), and David Malouf (novelist). This heritage is real and continues to shape parental expectations of the school as a place of substance and social purpose.

However, the school's recent institutional history is serious and cannot be overlooked. In 2021-2022, an independent investigation commissioned by the governing body documented systemic failings including bullying, discrimination, and safeguarding lapses spanning years. A 2022 Ofsted inspection rated the school Inadequate, citing behaviour and leadership as particular concerns. The inspection found that student behaviour had declined substantially since the previous Outstanding rating in 2014. The report identified confusion among staff and pupils about behaviour expectations following governance intervention and a vacuum in coherent policy.

The school transitioned to United Learning in January 2023 with new governance structures and leadership changes. The new Principal and leadership team have begun reorganising systems. The sixth form, which was rated Good by Ofsted, remains a potential area of stability. For families, the question is whether the new structural arrangements and leadership can genuinely address the institutional issues documented by both the independent investigation and Ofsted, or whether the transition is primarily administrative.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, Holland Park achieved an Attainment 8 score of 58.7, above the England average of 45.9, indicating stronger-than-average outcomes. The school ranks 547th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% nationally. Locally, within Kensington and Chelsea, the school ranks 3rd among secondary schools. These rankings are noteworthy given the challenges the school faced during the assessment years represented in the data.

The Progress 8 score of 0.04 indicates students make broadly average progress relative to their starting points. This is an important metric; it suggests the school's above-average absolute results come from its intake rather than exceptional value-added progress.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form shows stronger relative performance. In 2025, 58% of A-level grades were A*-B, well above the England average of 47%. In the same year, 33% achieved A*-A grades. The school ranks 371st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), within the top 25% nationally. The sixth form ranked Good in the 2022 Ofsted inspection, and these results suggest that judgement remains relevant.

Oxford and Cambridge represent a significant pathway; in recent years the school has sent students to both universities, with 6 confirmed acceptances to Oxford and 1 to Cambridge recorded in the data available. Beyond Oxbridge, sixth formers have secured places at universities including University College London, King's College London, University of Warwick, and international institutions including Bocconi University in Milan. These destinations reflect the academic ambitions sixth formers are expected to pursue.

The school offers 19-20 A-level subjects including Classical Civilisations, Latin, and History of Art, alongside mainstream sciences, languages, and humanities. GCSE options include art aptitude as a selective pathway; 10% of Year 7 places are reserved for students demonstrating art aptitude, assessed through a separate entrance test.

Teaching is structured around formal lessons followed by extensive independent study. The sixth form explicitly sets more than 20 hours per week of independent study expectation, a feature the school emphasises as integral to high A-level performance. The director of sixth form sits on the school's senior leadership team, signalling institutional commitment to post-16 provision.

The curriculum has historically been ambitious; the school rejected mixed-ability teaching from 1970 but maintained it was never purely comprehensively mixed. Current structure uses ability banding across four bands (A-D) with approximately 54 places per band at Year 7, helping to manage intake across ability ranges without explicit selection. This approach reflects the school's enduring tension between comprehensive principle and academic ambition.

Secondary to Sixth Form

Internal progression from Year 11 to Year 12 is not automatic. Sixth form entry requires meeting threshold grades in GCSE, typically a minimum of five grades at 5-7 range (equivalent to C to B). Students who do not meet criteria or choose to leave typically progress to other sixth forms, further education colleges, or apprenticeships; precise exit pathways are not published on the school website.

University Destinations

The 2025 cohort saw significant university placements. Russell Group universities and competitive institutions feature prominently in destinations, with named examples including University of Warwick, King's College London, University of St Andrews, University College London, and internationally Bocconi University.

Oxbridge remains a deliberate focus. The school actively supports Oxbridge preparation through dedicated sessions and guidance, though the sixth form leadership emphasises that this support is available to interested students rather than universally mandated. With 7 Oxbridge acceptances (6 Oxford, 1 Cambridge) in measured data available to the school, the Oxford pathway particularly strong for those with the profile and interest.

Year 7 Entry

Admissions are coordinated by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Holland Park is significantly oversubscribed; the school typically receives at least four times as many applications as available places, with the published admission number (PAN) of 240 places meaning roughly 960+ applications annually.

Places are allocated across four ability bands (A, B, C, D) with approximately 54 places in each band to ensure mixed-ability intake. An additional 10% of places (approximately 24 places) are reserved for students demonstrating art aptitude through a specific test administered in October.

After looked-after children and those with EHCPs, remaining places are allocated by ability band and then by distance from the school. The school operates without a formal catchment area, meaning any student can apply, but students living closer to the school gates receive priority within their ability band if the school is oversubscribed.

Sixth Form Entry

Entry to the sixth form is not automatic for existing pupils. Sixth formers must meet entry requirements typically involving GCSE grades of 5-7 (C to B equivalent) in relevant subjects or stronger. The school accepts external applicants meeting the same threshold.

Sixth form applications are made directly to the school; the deadline and application process are detailed on the school website and should be checked directly.

Open Events

The school holds open events in autumn (typically September/October) for families considering Year 7 entry. In 2025, events concluded before spring; families should contact the school directly at admissions@hollandparkschool.co.uk or visit the school website for upcoming event dates, as these vary annually.

The school provides pastoral support through house structures and tutor group systems. Each student is allocated to one of five houses (Anderson, Baker, Bennett, Chappell, Seeley) which form the basic pastoral unit, with tutors responsible for monitoring academic progress and wellbeing.

However, pastoral care is an area explicitly flagged as requiring attention. The 2022 Ofsted report noted behaviour concerns and confusion about how behavioural expectations are communicated and enforced. The independent investigation documented historical failings in response to student welfare concerns and safeguarding incidents. The new leadership has worked to clarify behaviour policies and safeguarding procedures, but these changes are relatively recent (since late 2022/early 2023) and their effectiveness is not yet independently verified through formal inspection.

The school website references Education with Character as a strand of provision, and Oxbridge preparation is highlighted as an available support. Mental health support is referenced but not detailed on accessible pages. Families should speak directly with the pastoral leadership about specific wellbeing provisions if this is a priority.

The school maintains an extensive programme of extracurricular activity reflecting its history as a centre for cultural and intellectual engagement. The sixth form benefits from designated societies and clubs run by students, including a debating society, Post-Structuralist Society (noted as a student-initiated club), sport societies, music groups, and art societies. Student initiatives are encouraged; the sixth form explicitly welcomes students starting their own clubs in response to current student interests, meaning offerings refresh termly.

Drama & Performing Arts

The school has a strong drama tradition supported by dedicated performance spaces within the 2012 building. Sixth formers and younger students participate in annual productions including a school musical, Shakespeare performance (noted as annual), choral events, and orchestral concerts. House drama competitions feature in the annual calendar. Theatre trips and visits to exhibitions across London form part of the enrichment programme. The school employs specialist drama staff and maintains relationships with theatre practitioners.

Music

The music programme includes individual and small-group instrumental teaching (available by arrangement). Ensembles include a choir (referenced as chapel choir in historical context), orchestra, and smaller music groups. The school has a heritage of musical excellence; historically, Andy Mackay (Roxy Music saxophonist) taught music here. Current music teaching is not detailed specifically on the main website, but the school lists music as a GCSEand A-level subject with specialist staff.

Sport

Sport facilities include a gymnasium, extensive gardens (noted by the school as a distinctive feature), and partnerships with external facilities. The school has access to Battersea Park for sports use by arrangement with Wandsworth Council. Current specific sports teams and fixture programmes are not listed on the publicly available school pages, though PE is offered as a GCSE and A-level subject. House sport competitions form part of the pastoral structure.

STEM & Academic Societies

Computing is offered to GCSE and A-level; science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics) are taught to GCSE and combine to A-level. The curriculum includes Design and Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition. Specific STEM clubs or societies are not detailed on published pages, though sixth formers are encouraged to pursue their interests through student-led societies and can initiate clubs.

Cultural & Academic Engagement

The school welcomes visiting speakers and seeks to expose sixth formers to professionals from diverse fields to support university and career clarity. Literary groups, book clubs, and film societies are mentioned. Trips to concerts, exhibitions, and theatre across London are offered as part of sixth form enrichment. The school emphasises this breadth of cultural experience as intentional — students are expected to engage with ideas and culture beyond the curriculum, with the explicit goal of developing the "soft skills" (emotional intelligence, confidence, communication) universities value in competitive applicants.

School hours

The main school day operates with taught lessons beginning mid-morning and finishing mid-afternoon (exact times: contact the school). Sixth form has separate facilities and may have modified timings; check with the school for specifics.

Uniform

Uniform is compulsory for Years 7-11. Sixth formers are not required to wear uniform, reflecting their position as pre-university students.

Term dates and holidays

The school follows the standard academic calendar of autumn, spring, and summer terms with standard UK holiday breaks. Term dates are published on the school website and in the annual Parent Planner.

Wraparound care

The school does not advertise breakfast club or after-school care on the main website. Families should contact the school to ask about any arrangements or external providers for wraparound care.

Transport

The school is accessible via London Underground (nearest stations: Holland Park on the Central Line, Notting Hill Gate on multiple lines) and bus routes across West London. There is limited on-site parking; most students use public transport, walk, or cycle. Families living within the oversubscription radius typically live within 1-1.5 miles; journey times are relatively short for West London residents.

Institutional stability and ongoing recovery. The school received an Inadequate Ofsted rating in April 2022 after serious safeguarding and behavioural concerns were identified. A new leadership team and governing body have been in place since late 2022/early 2023 (United Learning transition completed January 2023). Changes to behaviour policy, pastoral structures, and safeguarding procedures are recent and relatively untested by external inspection. Families should be confident that governing bodies and leadership are actively addressing these issues, but should also recognise that institutional recovery takes time and that the school's ability to deliver on its current promises will need to be verified through future inspection and direct observation.

High demand and oversubscription. The school receives approximately four times as many applications as places available. Securing a place depends on ability band and distance. Unless a child is within the oversubscription radius or demonstrates art aptitude, the likelihood of gaining admission is low despite the school's academic strength and appeal. Families should not rely solely on Holland Park; having multiple schools on the preference list is essential.

Academic pressure and pace. The school is explicitly academic in orientation. The sixth form sets more than 20 hours per week of independent study expectation. Teaching staff are described as setting rigorous standards. This environment suits students who thrive under structured academic challenge; it may feel pressured for those who prefer a more relaxed approach or who need significant pastoral support outside the standard structure.

Holland Park presents a paradox: a school with strong academic results and heritage competing for selective placements, yet currently rated Inadequate by Ofsted for behaviour and leadership. The contradiction is explicable through timing (the rating reflects conditions under previous leadership; results data spans the same troubled period, suggesting the academic intake and teaching remained strong despite systemic failures elsewhere). The new leadership and United Learning governance are credible attempts at institutional repair, but the track record of this new arrangement is short.

For families seeking academic rigour and the possibility of selective university pathways, Holland Park offers the teaching and peer group to support those aims. The sixth form particularly has shown consistent strength and may offer a more stable experience than the main school during this transition period. However, families should go into this choice with eyes open about recent institutional challenges and with realistic assessment of the likelihood of gaining a place given extreme oversubscription. Who it suits: Students living within the oversubscription radius who are academically confident, able to work independently, and whose families are comfortable with a school navigating institutional recovery alongside strong academic provision. External applicants should be realistic about admission likelihood and have other options in mind.