SchoolScoresCarlton Bolling
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of CARLTON ACADEMY TRUST
Undercliffe Lane, Bradford, BD3 0DU
01274 633111 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 11 October 2017. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 11 May 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
338 pupils in this year group.
45% — 7 points above the Bradford average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 38% | 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. | 44.4 | 40.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 3.6 | 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.
317 pupils in this year group.
86% — 2 points below the Bradford average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 86% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 10% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 28% | 11% | 13% |
| Further education college | 45% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 86% |
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 Bradford. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 288 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 365 |
| Of those, offered a place | 274 (75%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 712 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.3
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 13th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 43.7% | 35.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 27th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 15.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 59.3% | 28.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 28 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 40% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 10.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 28 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 35% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.5% | 30.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 59% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 48.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 12.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 28th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 6% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9 | 16.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 24th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 16th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 72% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7% | 16.7%* | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Feversham Girls' Secondary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong, 1 expected · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Valley Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Al Mumin Primary and Secondary School 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Laisterdyke Leadership Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- New College Bradford 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- Hanson Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bronte Girls' Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Academy Lister Park 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dixons Trinity Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dixons McMillan Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Carlton Bolling's Ofsted rating?
Carlton Bolling was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 October 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 May 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did Carlton Bolling do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Carlton Bolling oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 365 families put Carlton Bolling as their first choice for 288 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 274 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 147100.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, 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.