Essa Academy
Bolton, BL3 3HH · Bolton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
3rd 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 — 9.2/10 against 361 of them, against 7.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 86 | 35% | 3.03 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 54.4 · 72 | 30% | 2.16 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.73 · 92 | 25% | 2.30 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.9 · 65 | 10% | 0.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Essa Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.73 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 (9.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,055 pupils against a stated capacity of 990. 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
Since the January 2026 inspection uses a new framework without an overall grade, which specific areas received the highest ratings? How does the school support pupils in raising their Attainment 8 scores further, given the current figure of 53.0?
What Ofsted said about Essa Academy
Overview
Essa Academy is described as a school where leaders and governors are ambitious for all pupils, having made rapid improvements since joining the Northern Education Trust. The report highlights a "caring and supportive environment" where pupils achieve highly, particularly disadvantaged students, and feel safe and valued.
Strengths
- Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, "achieve highly over time" and make "sustained progress through the curriculum."
- Attendance "continues to improve and remains above the national average," supported by proactive leadership and robust systems.
- Staff exhibit "exceptionally positive behaviour" and "high-quality teaching," using excellent subject knowledge to explain content clearly.
- Leaders have a "very secure understanding" of SEND and disadvantaged pupil needs, providing "bespoke support" that removes barriers to learning.
- The personal development programme, including the 'LIFE' curriculum, equips pupils with skills to "thrive when they leave the school."
Areas to improve
- Leaders and governors should "sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas" and seek continued improvement to drive a "transformational impact for all pupils."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.1 |
| 2024/25 | 53.0 |
| 2025/26 | 48.9 |
| 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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