Education in Bolton

Metropolitan borough

The middle of the North West. 309,732 people in 140 square kilometres.

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

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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.

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Schools

Exact pointGreat Britain only

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

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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)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
Grosvenor Nursery School and Day Care Centre	Local authority nursery school	2 to 4	160	School remains Outstanding, March 2024
The Orchards Nursery School	Local authority nursery school	2 to 4	97	School remains Good, March 2024

Primary (97)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
All Saints CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	2 to 11	285	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
Beacon Primary School	Academy sponsor led	2 to 11	209	Good (overall), March 2023
Beaumont Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	220	Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade
Bishop Bridgeman CofE Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	484	Good (overall), September 2022
Blackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary School	Voluntary controlled school	3 to 11	260	School remains Good, January 2023
Blackrod Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	311	Outstanding (overall), March 2024
Blackshaw Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	218	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
Bolton Parish Church, Church of England Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	252	School remains Good, December 2021
Bowness Primary School	Academy sponsor led	3 to 11	129	School remains Good, July 2023
Brandwood Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	463	Good (overall), January 2023
Brownlow Fold Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	232	Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met
Castle Hill Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	220	Good (overall), February 2023
Cherry Tree Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	408	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
Chorley New Road Primary Academy	Academy converter	3 to 11	316	School remains Good, March 2023
Church Road Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	445	Standards maintained, March 2025Good (overall), January 2020
Clarendon Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	454	Standards maintained, March 2025
Claypool Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	218	Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met
Devonshire Road Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	415	Good (overall), October 2022
Eagley Infant School	Academy converter	2 to 7	203	School remains Good, March 2023
Eagley Junior School	Academy converter	7 to 11	224	Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade
Eatock Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	238	School remains Outstanding, February 2024
Egerton Community Primary School	Academy converter	5 to 11		Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met, before the school changed
Essa Primary Academy	Free schools	4 to 11	387	Graded inspection, November 2024: no overall grade
Gaskell Community Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	472	Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade
Gilnow Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	221	Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met
Hardy Mill Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	316	Standards maintained, November 2024
Harwood Meadows Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	224	Report card, April 2026: safeguarding met
Haslam Park Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	306	Good (overall), March 2023
Heathfield Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	270	Report card, April 2026: safeguarding met
High Lawn Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	492	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
Highfield Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	412	Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met
Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School	Voluntary aided school	5 to 11	188	Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met
Horwich Parish CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	300	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
Johnson Fold Community Primary School	Academy converter	2 to 11		Graded inspection, November 2024: no overall grade, before the school changed
Kearsley West Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	236	Standards maintained, December 2024
Ladybridge Community Primary School	Community school	5 to 11	359	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
Lever Edge Primary Academy	Academy converter	1 to 11	562	Good (overall), March 2023
Leverhulme Community Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	438	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
Lostock Primary School	Academy converter	4 to 11	213	Outstanding (overall), May 2024, before the school changed
Markland Hill Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	315	Graded inspection, December 2024: no overall grade
Masefield Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	254	School remains Good (Improving), next inspection graded, July 2024
Moorgate Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	325	School remains Outstanding, April 2023
Mytham Primary School	Community school	4 to 11	323	School remains Good, February 2023
Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	236	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
Oxford Grove Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	449	Outstanding (overall), February 2023
Pikes Lane Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	512	Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade
Prestolee Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	231	Outstanding (overall), June 2024
Queensbridge Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	246	Good (overall), July 2023
Red Lane Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	475	Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	417	Outstanding (overall), April 2024
Sharples Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	245	Standards maintained, February 2025
Spindle Point Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	238	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
SS Osmund and Andrew's R.C. Primary School	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	355	School remains Good, January 2023
Ss Simon & Jude CofE Primary School, Bolton	Academy converter	2 to 11	572	Good (overall), March 2024
St Andrew's CofE Primary School, Over Hulton	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	206	Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met
St Bartholomew's CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	5 to 11	210	Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade
St Bede Academy	Academy converter	3 to 11	610	Good (overall), October 2023
St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	199	School remains Good, November 2022
St Brendan's RC Primary School, Harwood, Bolton	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	199	Standards maintained, December 2024Good (overall), January 2020
St Catherine's CofE Primary School	Academy converter	3 to 11	237	Report card, July 2026: safeguarding met
St Columba's RC Primary School	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	235	Good (overall), April 2024
St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy	Academy converter	3 to 11	207	No outcome in Ofsted's file
St George's CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	247	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy	Academy sponsor led	4 to 11	185	Good (overall), April 2024
St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill	Voluntary controlled school	3 to 11	445	School remains Good, May 2024
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth	Academy converter	2 to 11	357	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
St John Church of England Primary School, Farnworth	Academy converter	5 to 11	154	Good (overall), June 2022, before the school changed
St John the Evangelist RC Primary School, Bromley Cross, Bolton	Voluntary aided school	5 to 11	162	School remains Good, January 2024
St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	220	Standards maintained, November 2024Good (overall), September 2019
St Mary's CofE Primary School, Deane	Voluntary controlled school	2 to 11	448	School remains Outstanding, February 2024
St Mary's RC Primary School	Voluntary aided school	5 to 11	214	Standards maintained, March 2025Good (overall), March 2020
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Bolton	Voluntary controlled school	3 to 11	424	School remains Good, March 2023
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever	Voluntary aided school	5 to 11	196	School remains Good, March 2023
St Maxentius CofE Primary School	Academy converter	5 to 11	185	Good (overall), January 2023
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever	Voluntary aided school	2 to 11	487	School remains Good (Improving), next inspection graded, July 2024
St Paul's CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge	Academy converter	2 to 11	251	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy	Academy converter	3 to 11	225	School remains Good, February 2020
St Peter's CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	411	Report card, December 2025: safeguarding met
St Peter's Smithills Dean Church of England Primary School	Academy converter	4 to 11	215	School remains Good, October 2022
St Saviour CofE Primary School, Ringley	Voluntary aided school	5 to 11	206	Good (overall), January 2024
St Stephen and All Martyrs' CofE School, Lever Bridge	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	193	Good (overall), January 2023
St Stephen's CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	183	Good (overall), June 2023
St Teresa's RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy	Academy converter	4 to 11	126	Good (overall), October 2021, before the school changed
St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	366	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
St Thomas CofE Primary School	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	239	Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met
St Thomas of Canterbury RC School	Voluntary aided school	4 to 11	410	School remains Good, October 2023
St William of York Roman Catholic Primary School	Voluntary aided school	3 to 11	233	Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade
Sunning Hill Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	526	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
The Ferns Primary Academy	Academy sponsor led	3 to 11	445	Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met
The Gates Primary School	Community school	3 to 11	290	School remains Good, September 2023
The Oaks Primary School	Community school	5 to 11	218	Good (overall), December 2023
The Olive School, Bolton	Free schools	4 to 11	422	Standards maintained, February 2025
The Olive Tree Primary School Bolton	Free schools	4 to 11	418	Standards maintained, January 2025Good (overall), February 2020
The Valley Community Primary School	Community school	2 to 11	538	Outstanding (overall), October 2023
Tonge Moor Primary Academy	Academy sponsor led	2 to 11	472	Good (overall), January 2023
Walmsley CofE Primary School	Academy converter	4 to 11	303	Requires improvement (overall), February 2024, before the school changed
Woodland Primary Academy	Academy converter	5 to 11	170	Good (overall), January 2020, before the school changed

Secondary (18)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
Bolton Muslim Girls School	Academy converter	11 to 16	774	Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade
Canon Slade School	Academy converter	11 to 18	1,724	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
Eden Boys' School, Bolton	Free schools	11 to 18	621	School remains Outstanding, July 2023
Essa Academy	Academy sponsor led	11 to 16	1,055	Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met
Harper Green School	Academy converter	11 to 16	1,070	Good (overall), January 2023
Kearsley Academy	Academy sponsor led	11 to 16	768	Report card, July 2026: safeguarding met
King's Leadership Academy Bolton	Free schools	11 to 16	910	Good (overall), October 2023
Ladybridge High School	Community school	11 to 16	1,136	Good (overall), November 2022
Little Lever School	Academy converter	11 to 16	1,085	Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met
Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy	Academy converter	11 to 16	895	Requires improvement (overall), October 2023, before the school changed
Sharples School	Academy converter	11 to 16	1,214	Improved significantly, January 2025
Smithills School	Academy converter	11 to 16	1,203	Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met
St James's Church of England High School	Academy converter	11 to 16	1,053	Good (overall), November 2022
St Joseph's RC High School	Voluntary aided school	11 to 16	1,047	Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade
Thornleigh Salesian College	Voluntary aided school	11 to 18	1,574	Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade
Turton School	Community school	11 to 18	1,596	Good (overall), March 2024
University Collegiate School	University technical college	11 to 19	683	Graded inspection, September 2024: no overall grade
Westhoughton High School	Community school	11 to 16	1,342	Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met, requires significant improvement

All-through (1)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
Bolton St Catherine's Academy	Academy converter	2 to 16	1,003	Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade

Special (14)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
Birtenshaw College	Special post 16 institution	16 to 25		No outcome in Ofsted's file
Birtenshaw School Bolton	Non-maintained special school	3 to 19	137	School remains Good, November 2022
Breightmet School	Other independent special school	5 to 18	18	No outcome in Ofsted's file
EdStart Schools Bolton	Other independent special school	11 to 16	62	No outcome in Ofsted's file
Firwood High School	Academy special converter	11 to 19	261	School remains Good, March 2023
Green Fold School	Community special school	4 to 11	172	Outstanding (overall), November 2023
Ladywood School	Academy special converter	4 to 11	233	School remains Outstanding, January 2023
Lake House School	Other independent special school	5 to 16		No outcome in Ofsted's file
Lever Park School	Academy special sponsor led	11 to 16	99	School remains Good, May 2024
LifeBridge ASEND	Special post 16 institution	19 to 24		No outcome in Ofsted's file
Raise Education and Wellbeing School	Other independent special school	11 to 19	50	No outcome in Ofsted's file
Rumworth School	Community special school	11 to 19	361	School remains Outstanding, March 2024
Thomasson Memorial School	Community special school	2 to 16	80	School remains Good, March 2024
Woodbridge College	Special post 16 institution	19 to 25		No outcome in Ofsted's file

Sixth form and further education (2)

School	Type	Ages	Latest Ofsted inspection
Bolton College	Further education	16 to 99	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton Sixth Form College	Further education	16 to 19	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file

Independent (9)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah	Other independent school	11 to 25	70	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Al-Huda Primary School	Other independent school	2 to 11	181	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton Islamic Girls School	Other independent school	11 to 16	115	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton School Boys' Division	Other independent school	7 to 18	1,131	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton School Girls' Division	Other independent school	7 to 18	1,057	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Bolton School Infant & Nursery School	Other independent school	0 to 7	300	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Clevelands Prep School	Other independent school	2 to 11	126	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Lord's School	Other independent school	11 to 18	23	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya	Other independent school	11 to 19	122	Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file

Pupil referral and alternative provision (3)

School	Type	Ages	Pupils	Latest Ofsted inspection
Forwards Centre	Academy alternative provision converter	5 to 11	48	Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade
Park School Teaching Service	Academy alternative provision converter	11 to 16	12	Standards maintained, November 2024
Youth Challenge Pru	Academy alternative provision converter	11 to 16	72	School 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.