Bolton St Catherine's Academy
Bolton, BL2 4HU · Bolton · all-through school
Check the area around this school
20th of 20 secondary schools in Bolton we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.1/10 against 288 of them, against 1.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 28.1 · 12 | 46% | 0.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.71 · 8 | 38% | 0.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.9 · 9 | 15% | 0.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bolton St Catherine's Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 18.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.71 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a Mindfulness Colouring club and participate in Sky Arts Week. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,003 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,130. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve progress scores for students with similar backgrounds? How do the breakfast and after-school clubs integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Bolton St Catherine's Academy
Overview
Bolton St Catherine's Academy has undergone "significant improvement" under new leadership, with pupils described as "kind and well-mannered" in a "calm environment." While behaviour, personal development, and early years provision are rated Good, the quality of education Requires improvement because some pupils, particularly older ones and those with SEND, do not achieve as well as they should due to historical staffing instability and current inconsistencies in teaching.
Strengths
- Pupils are "happy" and demonstrate "positive relationships" with staff who "care for them extremely well."
- Behaviour and attendance have improved significantly, with a "rapid reduction" in suspensions and persistent absence.
- The early years provision is strong, with children settling quickly and being "prepared well for Year 1."
- Personal development is effective, ensuring pupils know how to stay safe and access "meaningful destinations" such as further education or apprenticeships.
- The specially resourced provision for pupils with autism delivers an "ambitious curriculum" where these pupils "achieve well."
Areas to improve
- Staff must design learning activities that help pupils develop "secure knowledge," as current variability prevents some from achieving potential.
- Staff need to routinely check what pupils have learned to address "errors and misconceptions" that currently persist over time.
- The school must provide adequate support for pupils who struggle with reading fluency so they can access the "ambitious curriculum."
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.0 |
| 2024/25 | 34.3 |
| 2025/26 | 36.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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