SchoolScoresEden Boys' School, Bolton
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Muslim
Part of STAR ACADEMIES
Wolfenden Street, Bolton, BL1 3QE
01204 849240 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 23 May 2017.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 July 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
123 pupils in this year group.
59% — 15 points above the Bolton average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 59% | 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. | 53 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 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.
124 pupils in this year group.
95% — 5 points above the Bolton average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 65% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 26% | 45% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 95% |
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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 116 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 192 |
| Of those, offered a place | 112 (58%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 348 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.8 · 2025: 1.9 · 2026: 1.7
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 Muslim 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
| Pupils | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.4% | 32.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 11.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 68.7% | 27.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 96% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 94% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4 | 31.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.1% | 8.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.80% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 20th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 77% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya 0.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Thornleigh Salesian College 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Smithills School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 4 needs attention · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton School Boys' Division 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Sharples School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), improved significantly 2025 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton School Girls' Division 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Canon Slade School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- University Collegiate School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Turton School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton Muslim Girls School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Eden Boys' School, Bolton's Ofsted rating?
Eden Boys' School, Bolton was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 May 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 July 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did Eden Boys' School, Bolton do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 59% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Eden Boys' School, Bolton oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 192 families put Eden Boys' School, Bolton as their first choice for 116 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 112 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 140959.
- 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.