SchoolScoresSt James's CofE High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of THE BISHOP FRASER TRUST
Lucas Road, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 9RU
01204 333000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 November 2022.
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 | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
207 pupils in this year group.
58% — 14 points above the Bolton average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 58% | 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. | 53.5 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 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.
209 pupils in this year group.
92% — 2 points above the Bolton average, and about the same as 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. | 92% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 23% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 58% | 45% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 92% |
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 | 197 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 315 |
| Of those, offered a place | 193 (61%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 732 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.8 · 2025: 1.8 · 2026: 1.6
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 19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 32.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.5% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 11.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 27.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 80% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 81% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5 | 31.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 8.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.19% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 58% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8% | 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
- Harper Green School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lord's School 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 4 needs attention · 0% A*/A at A level
- King's Leadership Academy Bolton 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Star Salford Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Kearsley Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Essa Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton Islamic Girls School 1.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- The Lowry Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton Muslim Girls School 1.7 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 St James's CofE High School's Ofsted rating?
St James's CofE High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 November 2022.
How did St James's CofE High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St James's CofE High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 315 families put St James's CofE High School as their first choice for 197 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 193 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 144046.
- 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.