SchoolScoresUniversity Collegiate School
University technical college · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of QUEST (A CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS TRUST)
85 Deane Road, The Stoller Building, Bolton, BL3 5AG
01204 928700 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 September 2024, 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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
36 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 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 84% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 13 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 84% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 51% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 29 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 73% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 12 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 91% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 59% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bolton. Higher than 58% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 6%). 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
91 pupils in this year group.
31% — 13 points below the Bolton average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 36.7 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 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.
51 pupils in this year group.
86% — 4 points below the Bolton average, and 6 points below 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. | 86% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 16% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 31% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 39% | 45% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 86% |
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
4 A level students in this year group.
Only 4 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | Not published | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 0% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 10% | 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. | Not published | 34.5 | 35 |
"Not published": Not published: too few pupils, so individual pupils could be identified.
A level subjects, 2024/25
4 subjects, 10 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Mathematics.
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.
34 students in this year group.
74% — about the same as the Bolton average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 74% | 73% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 15% | 26% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 75% | 74% |
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.
15 students in this year group.
60% — 2 points below the Bolton average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 60% | 62% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 7% | 12% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 76% | 60% |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 117 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 91 |
| Of those, offered a place | 91 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 230 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.6 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 50.3% | 32.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.8% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4% | 11.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 4th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 57.8% | 27.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.1% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4 | 31.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th 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 excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 10th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 45% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6 | 16.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 20 state secondary schools in Bolton. Higher than 88% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 23.1% | 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
- Bolton Muslim Girls School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bolton School Boys' Division 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Bolton School Girls' Division 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Bolton Islamic Girls School 0.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024)
- Lord's School 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 4 needs attention · 0% A*/A at A level
- Essa Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's Leadership Academy Bolton 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Eden Boys' School, Bolton 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2023 · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is University Collegiate School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did University Collegiate School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 31% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend University Collegiate School?
83% of the 36 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend University Collegiate School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is University Collegiate School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 91 families put University Collegiate School as their first choice for 117 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 91 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 141941.
- 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, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.