Essa Primary Academy
BOLTON, BL3 3HH · Bolton · primary school
Check the area around this school
62nd 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 — 5.6/10 against 1,515 of them, against 4.4/10 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 | 66.0 · 54 | 62% | 3.32 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 38% | 1.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Essa Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 66.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 3.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 387 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are available for pupils to join after the school day ends? How does the school manage class sizes given the current number of places?
What Ofsted said about Essa Primary Academy
Overview
Essa Primary Academy has “emerged from a period of turbulence” and taken “rapid and effective actions” to improve standards. The report describes a school where pupils are “happy and safe,” enjoy learning, and benefit from “ambitious and well-designed” curriculums, particularly in early reading.
Strengths
- Pupils have “positive relationships with their teachers” and are “respectful towards each other,” with fallouts being rare.
- The phonics programme is delivered “consistently well,” helping many pupils become “confident, fluent readers.”
- Staff workload has reduced due to improved curriculum guidance, and staff feel “happy and feel supported.”
- The school promotes diversity effectively, ensuring pupils understand how to keep themselves safe and look after their “physical and mental health.”
- Extra-curricular opportunities, including clubs and residential visits, are increasingly accessed and valued by pupils.
Areas to improve
- Complete curriculum redevelopment in a small number of subjects and provide “robust guidance” to ensure learning activities address knowledge gaps.
- Ensure staff have the skills to support pupils with SEND and those learning English as an additional language so they can “achieve the best possible outcomes.”
- Strengthen subject leadership capacity and curriculum oversight to address delivery inconsistencies “as quickly as it could.”
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 35% |
| 2023/24 | 59% |
| 2024/25 | 66% |
| 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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