Compare

Education in Bolton

Metropolitan borough

The middle of the North West. 309,732 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 140 square kilometres.

2 layers about education for Bolton, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

Open in map

Schools by council

Worked out by Open Index · 2026

Under 25250 or more

Bolton had 146 open schools in 2026, from nurseries to sixth form colleges.

Number of schools

CouncilGreat Britain only
146
Worked out by Open Index · 2026

Bolton had 146 open schools in 2026, from nurseries to sixth form colleges.

Worked out by Open Index from the school lists of the Department for Education, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.

Open in mapSource and method
Number of schools: Bolton among every council350 areas from 1 to 510. The middle area is 68. Bolton is 146.

Schools

Exact pointGreat Britain only

Published as points, so there is no single figure for Bolton. The map shows each one.

Open in mapSource and method

Schools in Bolton

Bolton has 146 open schools: 2 nursery, 97 primary, 18 secondary, 1 all-through, 14 special, 2 sixth form and further education, 9 independent and 3 pupil referral and alternative provision.

Outstanding
7
Good
31
Requires improvement
2
Inadequate
0

40 of the 127 schools in Ofsted's file have an overall grade from a graded inspection between September 2019 and June 2024.

26 schools have a report card from the renewed framework (from November 2025), which gives no overall grade.

23 schools had a graded inspection from September 2024, when Ofsted stopped giving an overall grade.

Ofsted says grades from different frameworks can't be compared, and an old grade may not describe a school today. Latest inspections as at 30 September 2026.

Schools rated Outstanding in Bolton

7 schools had Outstanding as the overall grade at their latest graded inspection, which is the date given. A later ungraded inspection, shown in the table, may say more.

Blackrod Primary School (March 2024), Lostock Primary School (May 2024), Oxford Grove Primary School (February 2023), Prestolee Primary School (June 2024), Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School (April 2024), The Valley Community Primary School (October 2023), Green Fold School (November 2023).

Nursery (2)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Grosvenor Nursery School and Day Care CentreLocal authority nursery school2 to 4160School remains Outstanding, March 2024
The Orchards Nursery SchoolLocal authority nursery school2 to 497School remains Good, March 2024

Primary (97)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspectionResults (KS2 2024/25)
All Saints CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school2 to 11285Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met66% met KS2 standard
Beacon Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led2 to 11209Good (overall), March 202336% met KS2 standard
Beaumont Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11220Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade84% met KS2 standard
Bishop Bridgeman CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11484Good (overall), September 202261% met KS2 standard
Blackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary SchoolVoluntary controlled school3 to 11260School remains Good, January 202356% met KS2 standard
Blackrod Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11311Outstanding (overall), March 202478% met KS2 standard
Blackshaw Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11218Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade69% met KS2 standard
Bolton Parish Church, Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11252School remains Good, December 2021
Bowness Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led3 to 11129School remains Good, July 202386% met KS2 standard
Brandwood Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11463Good (overall), January 202356% met KS2 standard
Brownlow Fold Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11232Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met53% met KS2 standard
Castle Hill Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11220Good (overall), February 202367% met KS2 standard
Cherry Tree Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11408Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met44% met KS2 standard
Chorley New Road Primary AcademyAcademy converter3 to 11316School remains Good, March 202360% met KS2 standard
Church Road Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11445Standards maintained, March 2025Good (overall), January 202062% met KS2 standard
Clarendon Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11454Standards maintained, March 202563% met KS2 standard
Claypool Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11218Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met34% met KS2 standard
Devonshire Road Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11415Good (overall), October 202268% met KS2 standard
Eagley Infant SchoolAcademy converter2 to 7203School remains Good, March 2023
Eagley Junior SchoolAcademy converter7 to 11224Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade70% met KS2 standard
Eatock Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11238School remains Outstanding, February 202470% met KS2 standard
Egerton Community Primary SchoolAcademy converter5 to 11Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met, before the school changed
Essa Primary AcademyFree schools4 to 11387Graded inspection, November 2024: no overall grade66% met KS2 standard
Gaskell Community Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11472Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade79% met KS2 standard
Gilnow Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11221Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met53% met KS2 standard
Hardy Mill Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11316Standards maintained, November 202469% met KS2 standard
Harwood Meadows Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11224Report card, April 2026: safeguarding met62% met KS2 standard
Haslam Park Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11306Good (overall), March 202374% met KS2 standard
Heathfield Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11270Report card, April 2026: safeguarding met75% met KS2 standard
High Lawn Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11492Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade61% met KS2 standard
Highfield Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11412Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met66% met KS2 standard
Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school5 to 11188Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met52% met KS2 standard
Horwich Parish CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11300Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met73% met KS2 standard
Johnson Fold Community Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11Graded inspection, November 2024: no overall grade, before the school changed
Kearsley West Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11236Standards maintained, December 202481% met KS2 standard
Ladybridge Community Primary SchoolCommunity school5 to 11359Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met69% met KS2 standard
Lever Edge Primary AcademyAcademy converter1 to 11562Good (overall), March 202363% met KS2 standard
Leverhulme Community Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11438Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met45% met KS2 standard
Lostock Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11213Outstanding (overall), May 2024, before the school changed
Markland Hill Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11315Graded inspection, December 2024: no overall grade77% met KS2 standard
Masefield Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11254School remains Good (Improving), next inspection graded, July 202484% met KS2 standard
Moorgate Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11325School remains Outstanding, April 202367% met KS2 standard
Mytham Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11323School remains Good, February 202356% met KS2 standard
Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 11236Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade79% met KS2 standard
Oxford Grove Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11449Outstanding (overall), February 202380% met KS2 standard
Pikes Lane Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11512Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade54% met KS2 standard
Prestolee Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11231Outstanding (overall), June 202477% met KS2 standard
Queensbridge Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11246Good (overall), July 202358% met KS2 standard
Red Lane Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11475Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade63% met KS2 standard
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11417Outstanding (overall), April 202474% met KS2 standard
Sharples Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11245Standards maintained, February 202566% met KS2 standard
Spindle Point Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11238Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met74% met KS2 standard
SS Osmund and Andrew's R.C. Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 11355School remains Good, January 202357% met KS2 standard
Ss Simon & Jude CofE Primary School, BoltonAcademy converter2 to 11572Good (overall), March 202462% met KS2 standard
St Andrew's CofE Primary School, Over HultonVoluntary aided school4 to 11206Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met90% met KS2 standard
St Bartholomew's CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school5 to 11210Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade63% met KS2 standard
St Bede AcademyAcademy converter3 to 11610Good (overall), October 202349% met KS2 standard
St Bernard's RC Primary School, BoltonVoluntary aided school4 to 11199School remains Good, November 202272% met KS2 standard
St Brendan's RC Primary School, Harwood, BoltonVoluntary aided school4 to 11199Standards maintained, December 2024Good (overall), January 202055% met KS2 standard
St Catherine's CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter3 to 11237Report card, July 2026: safeguarding met62% met KS2 standard
St Columba's RC Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 11235Good (overall), April 202469% met KS2 standard
St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converter3 to 11207No outcome in Ofsted's file62% met KS2 standard
St George's CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 11247Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met60% met KS2 standard
St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary AcademyAcademy sponsor led4 to 11185Good (overall), April 202482% met KS2 standard
St James CofE Primary School, Daisy HillVoluntary controlled school3 to 11445School remains Good, May 202465% met KS2 standard
St James CofE Primary School, FarnworthAcademy converter2 to 11357Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade67% met KS2 standard
St John Church of England Primary School, FarnworthAcademy converter5 to 11154Good (overall), June 2022, before the school changed
St John the Evangelist RC Primary School, Bromley Cross, BoltonVoluntary aided school5 to 11162School remains Good, January 202458% met KS2 standard
St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, BoltonVoluntary aided school3 to 11220Standards maintained, November 2024Good (overall), September 201961% met KS2 standard
St Mary's CofE Primary School, DeaneVoluntary controlled school2 to 11448School remains Outstanding, February 202466% met KS2 standard
St Mary's RC Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school5 to 11214Standards maintained, March 2025Good (overall), March 202056% met KS2 standard
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, BoltonVoluntary controlled school3 to 11424School remains Good, March 202347% met KS2 standard
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little LeverVoluntary aided school5 to 11196School remains Good, March 202342% met KS2 standard
St Maxentius CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter5 to 11185Good (overall), January 202361% met KS2 standard
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great LeverVoluntary aided school2 to 11487School remains Good (Improving), next inspection graded, July 202459% met KS2 standard
St Paul's CofE Primary School, Astley BridgeAcademy converter2 to 11251Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade79% met KS2 standard
St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converter3 to 11225School remains Good, February 2020
St Peter's CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11411Report card, December 2025: safeguarding met58% met KS2 standard
St Peter's Smithills Dean Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11215School remains Good, October 202259% met KS2 standard
St Saviour CofE Primary School, RingleyVoluntary aided school5 to 11206Good (overall), January 202467% met KS2 standard
St Stephen and All Martyrs' CofE School, Lever BridgeVoluntary aided school4 to 11193Good (overall), January 202365% met KS2 standard
St Stephen's CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11183Good (overall), June 202353% met KS2 standard
St Teresa's RC Primary School a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converter4 to 11126Good (overall), October 2021, before the school changed
St Thomas C of E Primary School, HalliwellVoluntary aided school3 to 11366Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met50% met KS2 standard
St Thomas CofE Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 11239Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met78% met KS2 standard
St Thomas of Canterbury RC SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11410School remains Good, October 202352% met KS2 standard
St William of York Roman Catholic Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 11233Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade84% met KS2 standard
Sunning Hill Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11526Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade74% met KS2 standard
The Ferns Primary AcademyAcademy sponsor led3 to 11445Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met76% met KS2 standard
The Gates Primary SchoolCommunity school3 to 11290School remains Good, September 202384% met KS2 standard
The Oaks Primary SchoolCommunity school5 to 11218Good (overall), December 202379% met KS2 standard
The Olive School, BoltonFree schools4 to 11422Standards maintained, February 202595% met KS2 standard
The Olive Tree Primary School BoltonFree schools4 to 11418Standards maintained, January 2025Good (overall), February 202075% met KS2 standard
The Valley Community Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11538Outstanding (overall), October 202383% met KS2 standard
Tonge Moor Primary AcademyAcademy sponsor led2 to 11472Good (overall), January 202344% met KS2 standard
Walmsley CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11303Requires improvement (overall), February 2024, before the school changed
Woodland Primary AcademyAcademy converter5 to 11170Good (overall), January 2020, before the school changed

Secondary (18)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspectionResults (KS4 2025/26)
Bolton Muslim Girls SchoolAcademy converter11 to 16774Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall gradeAttainment 8: 56.5
Canon Slade SchoolAcademy converter11 to 181,724Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall gradeAttainment 8: 54.0
Eden Boys' School, BoltonFree schools11 to 18621School remains Outstanding, July 2023Attainment 8: 57.0
Essa AcademyAcademy sponsor led11 to 161,055Report card, January 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 48.9
Harper Green SchoolAcademy converter11 to 161,070Good (overall), January 2023Attainment 8: 42.6
Kearsley AcademyAcademy sponsor led11 to 16768Report card, July 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 51.1
King's Leadership Academy BoltonFree schools11 to 16910Good (overall), October 2023Attainment 8: 49.0
Ladybridge High SchoolCommunity school11 to 161,136Good (overall), November 2022Attainment 8: 45.8
Little Lever SchoolAcademy converter11 to 161,085Report card, May 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 45.8
Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converter11 to 16895Requires improvement (overall), October 2023, before the school changedAttainment 8: 41.5
Sharples SchoolAcademy converter11 to 161,214Improved significantly, January 2025Attainment 8: 56.5
Smithills SchoolAcademy converter11 to 161,203Report card, March 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 41.4
St James's Church of England High SchoolAcademy converter11 to 161,053Good (overall), November 2022Attainment 8: 48.1
St Joseph's RC High SchoolVoluntary aided school11 to 161,047Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall gradeAttainment 8: 42.4
Thornleigh Salesian CollegeVoluntary aided school11 to 181,574Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall gradeAttainment 8: 43.0
Turton SchoolCommunity school11 to 181,596Good (overall), March 2024Attainment 8: 44.0
University Collegiate SchoolUniversity technical college11 to 19683Graded inspection, September 2024: no overall gradeAttainment 8: 41.4
Westhoughton High SchoolCommunity school11 to 161,342Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met, requires significant improvementAttainment 8: 40.2

All-through (1)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspectionResults (KS2 2024/25)
Bolton St Catherine's AcademyAcademy converter2 to 161,003Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade34% met KS2 standard

Special (14)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Birtenshaw CollegeSpecial post 16 institution16 to 25No outcome in Ofsted's file
Birtenshaw School BoltonNon-maintained special school3 to 19137School remains Good, November 2022
Breightmet SchoolOther independent special school5 to 1818No outcome in Ofsted's file
EdStart Schools BoltonOther independent special school11 to 1662No outcome in Ofsted's file
Firwood High SchoolAcademy special converter11 to 19261School remains Good, March 2023
Green Fold SchoolCommunity special school4 to 11172Outstanding (overall), November 2023
Ladywood SchoolAcademy special converter4 to 11233School remains Outstanding, January 2023
Lake House SchoolOther independent special school5 to 16No outcome in Ofsted's file
Lever Park SchoolAcademy special sponsor led11 to 1699School remains Good, May 2024
LifeBridge ASENDSpecial post 16 institution19 to 24No outcome in Ofsted's file
Raise Education and Wellbeing SchoolOther independent special school11 to 1950No outcome in Ofsted's file
Rumworth SchoolCommunity special school11 to 19361School remains Outstanding, March 2024
Thomasson Memorial SchoolCommunity special school2 to 1680School remains Good, March 2024
Woodbridge CollegeSpecial post 16 institution19 to 25No outcome in Ofsted's file

Sixth form and further education (2)

SchoolTypeAgesLatest Ofsted inspection
Bolton CollegeFurther education16 to 99Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton Sixth Form CollegeFurther education16 to 19Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file

Independent (9)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Al Jamiah Al IslamiyyahOther independent school11 to 2570Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Al-Huda Primary SchoolOther independent school2 to 11181Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton Islamic Girls SchoolOther independent school11 to 16115Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton School Boys' DivisionOther independent school7 to 181,131Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton School Girls' DivisionOther independent school7 to 181,057Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton School Infant & Nursery SchoolOther independent school0 to 7300Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Clevelands Prep SchoolOther independent school2 to 11126Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Lord's SchoolOther independent school11 to 1823Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Madrasatul Imam Muhammad ZakariyaOther independent school11 to 19122Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file

Pupil referral and alternative provision (3)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Forwards CentreAcademy alternative provision converter5 to 1148Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade
Park School Teaching ServiceAcademy alternative provision converter11 to 1612Standards maintained, November 2024
Youth Challenge PruAcademy alternative provision converter11 to 1672School remains Outstanding, July 2024

Ofsted inspects state-funded schools; independent schools and colleges are inspected separately and show no outcome here.

Source: Get Information About Schools (Department for Education), edubasealldata20261015.csv; Ofsted, latest inspections as at 30 September 2026.