SchoolScoresSt Joseph's RC High School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Sefton Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6HW
01204 697456 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 18 March 2025, 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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
103 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Bolton comparisons use the 10 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 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 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 79% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 84% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 33 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 95% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 51% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 77 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 86% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 25 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 73% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 59% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 10%). 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
207 pupils in this year group.
50% — 6 points above the Bolton average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 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. | 44.8 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 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.
203 pupils in this year group.
95% — 5 points above the Bolton average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 3% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 24% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 59% | 45% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 95% |
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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 205 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 218 |
| Of those, offered a place | 201 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 529 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1
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 18th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.3% | 32.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 11.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 12th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 27.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.3% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4 | 31.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 32% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 8.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.10% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 7% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 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
- Rivington and Blackrod High School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ladybridge High School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Westhoughton High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 4 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Joseph's RC High School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 18 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Joseph's RC High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's RC High School?
86% of the 103 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Joseph's RC High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Joseph's RC High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 218 families put St Joseph's RC High School as their first choice for 205 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 201 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 105262.
- 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, 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.