SchoolScoresSt James CofE Primary School, Farnworth
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of ARCHBISHOP TEMPLE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Hillside Avenue, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 9QB
01204 572587 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 15 October 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 | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
52 pupils in this year group.
67% — 3 points above the Bolton average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 73% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 77% | 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. | 106 | 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 | 26 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 24 |
| Of those, offered a place | 24 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 56 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 Church of England 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 9th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 92% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 52.9% | 29.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 14th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 40th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 48% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.9% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 39th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 26.7% | 34.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 94th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 6% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 88th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 11% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 21.4% | 13.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 99th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 0% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 32.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 98th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 6% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.9% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 1.39% | 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) 45th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 57% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.1 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 98 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 91% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 32.1% | 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
- Queensbridge Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Ferns Primary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's CofE Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 3 strong, 4 expected · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Highfield Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dukesgate Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- North Walkden Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 34% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kearsley West Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John CofE Primary School, Farnworth 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 15 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points above the England average of 62%.
Is St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 24 families put St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth as their first choice for 26 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 24 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 142944.
- 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.