SchoolScoresEssa Primary Academy
Free school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, BL3 3HH
01204 201310 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 5 November 2024, 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 | Good |
| 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
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Bolton comparisons use the 44 of its 99 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 55 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 42nd highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 6% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 43rd highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 6% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 41st highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 19% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 93% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 41st highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 8% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 2%). 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
65 pupils in this year group.
66% — 2 points above the Bolton average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 66% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 78% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 78% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 25 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 20 |
| Of those, offered a place | 20 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 66 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 13th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 43.8% | 29.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 57th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 34th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 52% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 15th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 96% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 68.5% | 34.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 73rd lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 32% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 70th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 30% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 15.6% | 13.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.25% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 21st highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 85% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.9 | 21.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 22nd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 78% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.5 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 98 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 87% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 27.7% | 12.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- St Bede Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lever Edge Primary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Olive Tree Primary School Bolton 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- St William of York Roman Catholic Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brandwood Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sunning Hill Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heathfield Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bishop Bridgeman CofE Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Clarendon Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Essa Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 5 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Essa Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Essa Primary Academy?
70% of the 10 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Essa Primary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Essa Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 20 families put Essa Primary Academy as their first choice for 25 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 20 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 140973.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.