SchoolScoresBolton St Catherine's Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 2 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of THE BISHOP FRASER TRUST
Stitch MI Lane, Bolton, BL2 4HU
01204 332533 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 11 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
114 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Bolton comparisons use the 10 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 9th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 22% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 84% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 13% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 57 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 39% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 51% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 96 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 27% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 46 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 51% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 59% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 9th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 11%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bolton figures pool parents at the Bolton schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
32 pupils in this year group.
34% — 30 points below the Bolton average, and 28 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 34% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 50% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 69% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 66% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
138 pupils in this year group.
19% — 25 points below the Bolton average, and 27 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 19% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 34.3 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
148 pupils in this year group.
78% — 12 points below the Bolton average, and 14 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 78% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 19% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 53% | 45% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 78% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bolton. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 134 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 109 |
| Of those, offered a place | 109 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 162 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 28 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 18 |
| Of those, offered a place | 18 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 23 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.6
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision and a SEN unit with 318 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 53.7% | 32.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.4% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.4% | 11.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 27.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.0% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 61.6 | 31.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6% | 8.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils | 0.98% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 13th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 81% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2% | 17.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Canon Slade School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya 1.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Sharples School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), improved significantly 2025 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Turton School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Eden Boys' School, Bolton 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2023 · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Little Lever School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 5 expected · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Thornleigh Salesian College 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton Islamic Girls School 2.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- University Collegiate School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tottington High School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bolton St Catherine's Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 11 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Bolton St Catherine's Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 19% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 27 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bolton St Catherine's Academy?
63% of the 114 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Bolton St Catherine's Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bolton St Catherine's Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 109 families put Bolton St Catherine's Academy as their first choice for 134 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 109 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 145314.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.