SchoolScoresThe Oaks Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed
Sharples Hall Drive, Bolton, BL1 7HS
01204 333171 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 5 December 2023.
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 | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
59 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 1st highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 94% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied 15th highest of 28 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 55% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 54% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 35 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 43 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 93% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 82% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 4th highest of 44 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 83% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98%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
33 pupils in this year group.
79% — 15 points above the Bolton average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 79% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 12% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 85% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 88% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 88% | 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. | 108 | 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 | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 26 |
| Of those, offered a place | 21 (81%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 83 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.4 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 93rd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 9% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.3% | 29.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 85th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 93rd highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 6% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.8% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 51st highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 63% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.8% | 34.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 92% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Lower than 91% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 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 60th highest of 99 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 57% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.2 | 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 Joint 78th highest of 98 state primary schools in Bolton. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 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
- Sharples Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- High Lawn Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John the Evangelist RC Primary School, Bromley Cross, Bolton 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Eagley Infant School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023
- Eagley Junior School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Paul's CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Columba's RC Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Maxentius CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Walmsley CofE Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024, before conversion) · 85% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Oaks Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Oaks Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 December 2023.
How did The Oaks Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 17 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Oaks Primary School?
98% of the 59 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Oaks Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Oaks Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 26 families put The Oaks Primary School as their first choice for 30 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 21 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 105176.
- 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.