SchoolScoresSt Thomas of Canterbury RC School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Eastbourne Grove, Heaton, Bolton, BL1 5LH
01204 333131 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 3 July 2014.
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 5 October 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
77 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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 28th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 31% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 94% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 18th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 26th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 24 parents whose child had been bullied 9th highest of 28 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 67% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 54% | 49% |
| 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% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 30th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 32% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%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
60 pupils in this year group.
52% — 12 points below the Bolton average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 52% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 87% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 | 47 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 36 |
| Of those, offered a place | 36 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 92 |
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 72nd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.4% | 29.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 72nd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 37% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.4% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 23rd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.4% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 59th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.6% | 34.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 37th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 66% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 41st lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 59% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.3% | 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 6th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 92% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 25.3 | 21.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 8th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 89% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.6 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 67th highest of 98 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 25% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 5.8% | 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
- Devonshire Road Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bolton School Infant and Nursery School 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Church Road Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Markland Hill Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Clevelands Prep School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Oxford Grove Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Al-Huda Primary School 0.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Johnson Fold Community Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024, before conversion) · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gilnow Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Thomas of Canterbury RC School's Ofsted rating?
St Thomas of Canterbury RC School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 3 July 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 5 October 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Thomas of Canterbury RC School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 52% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 10 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Thomas of Canterbury RC School?
86% of the 77 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend St Thomas of Canterbury RC School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Thomas of Canterbury RC School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 36 families put St Thomas of Canterbury RC School as their first choice for 47 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 36 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 105221.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.