Bowness Primary School
Bolton, BL3 1BT · Bolton · primary school
Check the area around this school
18th of 88 primary schools in Bolton we can score, 97 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 9.7/10 against 1,513 of them, against 8.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 86.0 · 95 | 40% | 3.78 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 14.0 · 81 | 25% | 2.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bowness Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 86.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 14.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Reading, IT, Cooking, Craft & Games, and EdStart clubs. Sports include football, rounders, cricket, netball, and cross country. Arts provision covers instrumental lessons and school choirs, with trips to Claddagh Hall.
Getting in
The published school roll is 129 pupils against a stated capacity of 156. 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 who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific support is available for pupils joining in the current entry year? How are the instrumental lessons scheduled alongside the core curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Bowness Primary School
Overview
Bowness Primary School continues to be a good school, described as a "warm and welcoming" environment where pupils feel happy and safe. Leaders have designed a "suitably ambitious curriculum" that builds knowledge over time, ensuring pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
Strengths
- Pupils treat each other with "kindness and respect" and are confident in reporting problems, with staff tackling issues like bullying "swiftly and effectively".
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and successfully support pupils to remember learning over time by addressing misconceptions promptly.
- The school has an "effective phonics programme" that helps most pupils quickly develop into "confident readers".
- Leaders provide robust support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they "learn well alongside their peers".
- Staff enjoy working at the school because leaders prioritise "staff’s well-being" and are mindful of workload impacts.
Areas to improve
- Some pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should, causing them to "miss out on important learning"; leaders and trustees must implement effective strategies to improve attendance rates.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders establishing a "strong culture of safeguarding" and maintaining "secure and rigorous systems" to record information and support vulnerable pupils.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 56% |
| 2023/24 | 68% |
| 2024/25 | 86% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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