SchoolScoresSacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Central Drive, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3DU
01942 634681 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 16 April 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
73 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 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 Joint 35th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 28th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 34% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 34th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 37% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 18 parents whose child had been bullied 24th highest of 28 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 16% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 54% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 56 parents who had raised a concern Joint 36th highest of 43 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 23% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 24th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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
61 pupils in this year group.
74% — 10 points above the Bolton average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 74% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 21% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 89% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 87% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 84% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 59 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 57 |
| Of those, offered a place | 52 (91%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 103 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 Roman Catholic 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 89th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 14% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.9% | 29.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 82nd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.9% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 98th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 2% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 66th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.4% | 34.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 36th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 67% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 30th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 68% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.8% | 13.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 63rd lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 37% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 35th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 66% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 26th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 82% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.5 | 21.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 26th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 74% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 11th highest of 98 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 86% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 27.0% | 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
- The Gates Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Bartholomew's CofE Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Woodland Primary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020, before conversion) · 40% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Thomas CofE Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Eatock Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2024 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's CofE Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lostock Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024, before conversion) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Atherton St George's CofE Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Richard's Roman Catholic Primary School Atherton 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 April 2024.
How did Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 12 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School?
89% of the 73 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 57 families put Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 59 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 52 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 105243.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 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.