Holwell Primary School Review 2026: A two-form entry primary with strong KS2 outcomes and a clear values culture

Morning routines matter here. A consistent start, clear expectations, and an emphasis on readiness to learn set the tone for the day, backed by an established values system that pupils recognise and staff use consistently. The school is a two-form entry primary, with up to 60 children joining each September, which typically creates a healthy mix of friendship options without losing the “everyone is known” feel.

Academically, the headline is performance that sits above England average across the core measures, with especially strong combined attainment at the end of Year 6. Ranked 2,705th in England and 5th in Welwyn Garden City for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), it sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

The latest Ofsted inspection (January 2023) graded the school Good across the main judgement areas.

The school’s identity is unusually coherent, with the RICRAC values (Respect, Independence, Co-operation, Resilience, Aspiration, Courage) threaded through behaviour expectations, classroom routines, and reward structures. In practical terms, this means pupils are prompted to talk about choices and habits in shared language, rather than relying on generic “be kind” messaging. The RICRAC system is also linked to house points, so the values show up in day-to-day incentives, not just displays.

There is also a deliberate focus on calm order. External review evidence describes the school as calm and orderly, with good conduct and respectful attitudes, and that matters for families weighing how much energy is spent on learning versus behaviour management. It is the kind of environment that can suit children who like clear boundaries and predictable routines, especially in Key Stage 2.

The other defining feature is an inclusive stance that does not dilute ambition. Evidence points to staff being trained to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, while keeping them on the same ambitious curriculum as peers, with liaison with outside agencies where needed. For parents, the implication is that support is designed to keep children moving through the same curriculum journey, rather than being routinely taken off-track into lower expectations.

Holwell’s most recent published KS2 picture is strong, particularly in the combined measure that most parents care about: reading, writing and mathematics together.

• In 2024, 88.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to the England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 23% achieved the higher threshold in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to the England average of 8%.

• Scaled scores are also high: Reading 108, Mathematics 106, and GPS (grammar, punctuation and spelling) 108.

• Science sits slightly above national norms: 83% met the expected standard, compared to the England average of 82%.

These figures suggest the school is not simply “teaching to the test” for borderline passes. The higher-standard proportion indicates a meaningful share of pupils are being pushed beyond the basics, which typically correlates with strong curriculum sequencing and effective retrieval practice across Key Stage 2.

For parents comparing options locally, the FindMySchool ranking is a useful shorthand. Ranked 2,705th in England and 5th in Welwyn Garden City for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), performance is above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

If you are shortlisting several nearby primaries, the FindMySchool Local Hub pages and Comparison Tool make it easier to view KS2 outcomes side by side, rather than juggling multiple tabs and PDFs.

A key theme is curriculum clarity. External review evidence describes a clear, sequenced, ambitious curriculum, with systems to check what pupils know and remember so learning builds year on year. That matters because strong KS2 outcomes are usually sustained, not accidental, when sequencing and assessment are disciplined.

Reading is treated as a strategic priority. Evidence points to staff being trained to teach phonics through a systematic programme from the start of Reception, with books matched to the sounds pupils know. There is also a clear intervention approach for pupils at risk of falling behind early, with additional support delivered by skilled adults. The practical implication is that early reading gaps are likely to be spotted and addressed before they harden into long-term avoidance.

The main developmental point highlighted externally is about reading fluency checks for older pupils. The issue is not that older children cannot read, rather that monitoring may be less frequent and less rigorous beyond the early stages, which can lead to some pupils choosing books that do not match their level and slowing progress. For families with a child who can “technically read” but does not naturally gravitate to appropriate challenge, it is sensible to ask how reading is tracked in Key Stage 2 and how staff steer book choice.

Transition is treated as an end goal, not an afterthought. External review evidence indicates pupils are well prepared for the move to secondary school, which typically reflects a mix of curriculum coverage, organisational skills, and personal development work in the later primary years.

In Welwyn Garden City, mainstream secondary options commonly considered by local families include Stanborough School and Monk’s Walk School. In Hertfordshire, secondary places often depend on priority areas (and, for some schools, additional criteria), so the practical step is to check your likely allocation using the county’s admissions guidance and the relevant school priority area information.

A good question for prospective families is how Year 6 builds independence: homework routines, responsibility roles, and the expectation pupils manage their own kit and deadlines. Those habits often make the biggest difference in the first term of Year 7.

This is a Hertfordshire state primary, with Reception admissions coordinated through the local authority process. The school is two-form entry, with up to 60 children admitted into each year group, and a double-entry intake each September.

Demand looks meaningfully above supply in the most recent dataset snapshot: 148 applications for 57 offers, around 2.6 applications per place, and the school is flagged as oversubscribed. That ratio does not mean places are impossible, but it does mean families should treat admission as competitive and plan realistically.

For September 2026 entry in Hertfordshire, key dates include the online system opening on 03 November 2025, the deadline on 15 January 2026, and national allocation day on 16 April 2026. The important nuance is that these are county-wide timings; the right next step is to match them with your exact address-based criteria and any supplementary requirements.

If you are trying to understand how realistic a place is from your street, the FindMySchool Map Search is the most efficient way to sense-check your distance context against recent allocation patterns. Distances can shift year to year, but a precise view of local geography helps avoid wishful thinking.

Pastoral support here is not separated from behaviour systems; it is integrated into routines. The values language gives staff and pupils a shared framework for talking about choices, resilience, and repair after conflict. Combined with a calm baseline, this can suit children who thrive when adults are consistent and consequences feel predictable.

Safeguarding is described as a strength in the most recent official inspection evidence, including a strong culture of safeguarding, staff awareness of risks, proactive work with other agencies, and pupils reporting that school feels safe and that they know how to raise concerns.

Beyond formal safeguarding, there is also evidence of planned personal development, including a “passport of experiences” approach intended to ensure pupils access wider opportunities, such as visits to live performances. The implication is that enrichment is structured, not purely optional or ad hoc.

Co-curricular life is easiest to judge when a school can point to named events and programmes rather than generic “clubs and sport”.

One strong example is the choir’s participation in Young Voices at the O2, with 29 pupils taking part in January 2024 as part of a massed choir experience. This is a big-stage, confidence-building opportunity that can matter for children who come alive in performance settings.

Dance is also a visible feature. The Dance Club performed at the Welwyn Garden City Dance Festival (Campus Theatre) in March 2024, with the club run by Mrs Adeyemi. The practical implication is that performing arts are not limited to end-of-term assemblies; pupils have routes into community-facing showcases.

There is also evidence of responsibility roles with a tangible community flavour. For example, Year 5 “Site Champions” work alongside the site team on the playground and grounds, including litter picking. For many pupils, roles like this build ownership and pride more effectively than abstract “leadership” badges.

Clubs vary termly and are managed through Arbor, with a mix of free and paid options. Parents should expect the exact menu to change across the year, so it is worth asking what is currently running for your child’s year group.

The school day is structured around a clear gate and register routine. Gates open at 8:30am, registers are taken at 8:35am, and dismissal is at 3:05pm.

Wraparound care is a genuine practical asset here. Breakfast Club runs from 7:45am to 8:35am, with options priced at £5.00 (with breakfast) or £2.50 (no breakfast) for the shorter slot. After School Club runs from 3.05pm to 6.00pm, with priced sessions and light supper provided for the longer options (for example £13 to 6.00pm for the first child).

Travel is actively shaped rather than left to chance. The school reports being awarded a Good Travel Plan in 2025, encourages walking, scooting and cycling, and notes multiple bike shelters for children and staff. There is also clear messaging about considerate parking and not blocking driveways.

• Oversubscription pressure. With 148 applications for 57 offers in the latest dataset snapshot, the ratio is around 2.6 applications per place. Families should treat admission as competitive and keep a realistic Plan B.

• Reading monitoring in Key Stage 2. External evidence suggests older pupils’ reading fluency checks may be less frequent than in early reading, which can lead to some choosing books that do not match their ability. It is worth asking how reading is tracked beyond phonics and what triggers extra support.

• Changing clubs menu. Clubs are termly and booked via Arbor, which is practical for variety but means the offer can look different term to term. If a specific activity is important to your child, confirm what is running this year rather than assuming it is permanent.

Holwell Primary School combines a calm, consistent culture with KS2 outcomes that are clearly above England averages. Its strongest fit is for families who value clear routines, a well-defined values framework, and a school that takes reading seriously from the earliest stages while still stretching higher attainers. Admission is the obstacle rather than what follows. Families interested in this option should use Saved Schools to manage a shortlist and keep alternatives warm while the admissions process plays out.