Carlton Bolling
Bradford, BD3 0DU · Bradford · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 35 secondary schools in Bradford 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 — 7.1/10 against 414 of them, against 4.7/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.5 · 31 | 30% | 0.93 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.27 · 70 | 25% | 1.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.8 · 38 | 10% | 0.38 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Carlton Bolling overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.27 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Maths Circles, Rap Nation, Musical Theatre Club, and the Cricket Club. An after-school club is available for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,633 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,524. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How are the various clubs scheduled to ensure students can access both academic and extracurricular activities?
What Ofsted said about Carlton Bolling
Overview
Carlton Bolling continues to be an outstanding school, where the ethos of ‘Excellence for all’ is woven through every aspect of life. The report describes a caring, safe environment where pupils are valued as individuals, resulting in high happiness levels and exemplary behaviour. Leaders maintain high expectations and aspirations, ensuring every pupil receives the support needed to succeed.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘highly ambitious and superbly taught’, with a strong focus on ‘unlocking vocabulary’ and building sophisticated knowledge over time.
- Behaviour is ‘exemplary’ and ‘superb’, characterised by respectful relationships between adults and pupils, with bullying being ‘very rare’.
- A ‘highly effective and rich reading programme’ ensures pupils read regularly and develop strong cultural knowledge.
- The ‘Carlton Edge’ programme provides a ‘rich array of opportunities’, including university visits and charity work, enhancing pupils’ leadership skills and aspirations.
- Staff feel ‘proud to work at Carlton Bolling’, supported by approachable leaders and assessment systems adapted to reduce workload.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with thorough records, timely actions by leaders, and a strong understanding of risks among staff who know how to report concerns to keep children safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.0 |
| 2024/25 | 44.4 |
| 2025/26 | 43.8 |
| 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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