SchoolScoresSt Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Wendover Drive, Ladybridge, Bolton, BL3 4RX
01204 652147 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 December 2012.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 30 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
32 pupils in this year group.
72% — 8 points above the Bolton average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 72% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 9% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 84% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 88% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 78% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 | 23 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 19 |
| Of those, offered a place | 19 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 46 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 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.
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 Joint 85th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 17% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.9% | 29.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 52nd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 53% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 95th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 4% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 74th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 41% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.8% | 34.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 34th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 70% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 36th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 65% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 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 excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 9th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 91% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 25.0 | 21.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 29th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 73% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.1 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 18th highest of 98 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 78% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 22.2% | 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
- Beaumont Primary School 0.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ladybridge Community Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's CofE Primary School, Deane 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2024 · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lostock Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024, before conversion) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Clevelands Prep School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Haslam Park Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Markland Hill Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heathfield Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brandwood Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton's Ofsted rating?
St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 December 2012. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 30 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 72% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 10 points above the England average of 62%.
Is St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 19 families put St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton as their first choice for 23 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 19 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 105230.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.