Turton School

Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Bromley Cross Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9LT

01204 333233 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 12 March 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths31%England 45% · 2024/25
17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 19% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,596Room for 1,600 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,540 in 2019, 1,578 in 2021, 1,595 in 2022, 1,612 in 2023, 1,619 in 2024, 1,606 in 2025, 1,596 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0252 for 259 places, September 2026
9th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 55% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 March 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

162 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 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.

StatementThis schoolBoltonEngland
My child is happy at this school
8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton.
Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 84% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
7th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton.
Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
7th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton.
Higher than 24% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 69 parents whose child had been bullied
6th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton.
Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
45% 51% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 128 parents who had raised a concern
6th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton.
Higher than 48% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
70% 70% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
7th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton.
Higher than 39% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75%said yes 79% 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

253 pupils in this year group.

31% — 13 points below the Bolton average, and 14 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBoltonEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 31% 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. 43.7 45.7 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.9 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 40%This school 2023/24: 44%This school 2024/25: 31% This school England 45% 2022/23 40% 2023/24 44% 2024/25 31%

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.

255 pupils in this year group.

92% — 2 points above the Bolton average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 50%30%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolBoltonEngland
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 50% 12% 34%
Sixth form college 3% 25% 13%
Further education college 30% 45% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 3% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%92%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

119 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolBoltonEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 27% 27% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 60% 58% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 37.2 34.5 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.7This school 2023/24: 36.1This school 2024/25: 37.2 This school England 35 2022/23 33.7 2023/24 36.1 2024/25 37.2

A level subjects, 2024/25

30 subjects, 291 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Geography 28 7% 21% 23%
Psychology 22 9% 23% 19%
English Literature 20 0% 15% 23%
Mathematics 19 16% 47% 40%
Biology 15 13% 40% 27%
Business Studies:Single 15 7% 20% 16%
Economics 15 7% 27% 26%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 14 7% 21% 17%
Chemistry 13 15% 46% 30%
English Language 13 0% 8% 13%
Art and Design (Graphics) 12 0% 17% 32%
Government and Politics 12 0% 25% 26%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 10 30% 50% 38%
Sociology 9 22% 22% 20%
Art and Design (Photography) 8 25% 25% 26%
Computer Studies / Computing 8 0% 25% 24%
Physics 8 13% 25% 31%
Environmental Science 7 0% 43% 14%
Spanish 7 29% 57% 34%
Drama and Theatre Studies 6 0% 17% 19%
History 6 0% 17% 23%
Religious Studies 6 0% 0% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Dance, Design and Technology (Product Design), Mathematics (Further), Music, French, Art and Design, Art and Design (Textiles), Design and Technology (Textiles Technology).

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

125 students in this year group.

86% — 13 points above the Bolton average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBoltonEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 86% 73% 79%
Apprenticeship 12% 8% 7%
Work 29% 26% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
82%86%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

125 students in this year group.

71% — 9 points above the Bolton average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBoltonEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 71% 62% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 25% 12% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
70%71%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 offered259
Families who put it first252
Of those, offered a place236 (94%)
Families who listed it at all523

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Bolton

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolBoltonEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
23.1% 32.9%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.9% 2.9%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.2% 11.3%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
20th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.7% 27.7%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.1% 8.2%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
29.2% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
10th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
20.6 31.5 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
9th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Lower than 41% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.8% 8.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils 0.37% 0.29% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
20th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 5% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
13.7 16.3 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 13th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.8 11.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
15th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton.
Higher than 51% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
13.4% 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Turton School's Ofsted rating?

Turton School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 March 2024.

How did Turton School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 31% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Turton School?

75% of the 162 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Turton School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Turton School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 252 families put Turton School as their first choice for 259 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 236 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.