Harper Green School
Bolton, BL4 0DH · Bolton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th 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 — 6.2/10 against 430 of them, against 3.8/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.5 · 36 | 30% | 1.08 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.11 · 42 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.6 · 32 | 10% | 0.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harper Green School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 36.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.11 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Science Club and Dance, or play football, cricket, badminton, trampolining, table tennis, and athletics. The school offers Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,070 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,250. 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 Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Harper Green School
Overview
Harper Green School is described as a "safe and friendly place" where pupils are "proud to attend." Leaders have established "high expectations for both behaviour and learning," resulting in a "positive and welcoming atmosphere." The school has improved significantly since its previous inspection, with leaders demonstrating a "strong understanding of the priorities for the school."
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well-organised and ambitious," with clear identification of what pupils need to know at each stage.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "identified and well supported" through effective processes and staff training.
- Leaders have prioritised reading, creating a "clear programme to support pupils who find reading difficult" using systematic synthetic phonics.
- There is a "strong culture of safeguarding" with well-trained staff and effective links with external agencies.
- Pupils behave well, treating others with respect, and engage with a wide range of opportunities to develop their character and career choices.
Areas to improve
- Staff training to meet specific learning needs is "not applied equally well across subjects," meaning some pupils do not develop subject knowledge to the same depth as others.
- Some aspects of the relationships and sex education (RSE) programme are "not addressed as well as they could be," leaving some pupils with an understanding of sexual health that is not fully age-appropriate.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that leaders have created a "strong culture of safeguarding" with clear protocols for recording information and supporting pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.9 |
| 2024/25 | 42.8 |
| 2025/26 | 42.6 |
| 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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