Ladybridge High School
Bolton, BL3 4NG · Bolton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th 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 — 6.0/10 against 579 of them, against 4.1/10 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 | 38.6 · 34 | 30% | 1.01 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.05 · 46 | 25% | 1.16 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.8 · 49 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ladybridge High School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2022. In 2024/25, 33.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.7, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.05 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, participate in athletics, visit the People's History Museum, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,136 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,140. 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 Attainment 8 and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award?
What Ofsted said about Ladybridge High School
Overview
Ladybridge High School is described as a welcoming institution at the "very heart of the community" where pupils are "proud to attend." Leaders maintain "high expectations" for behaviour and achievement, which most pupils meet within a "calm environment" that fosters positive attitudes towards learning.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "appropriately designed," with leaders having "deliberately strengthened the offer for pupils at key stage 3" to ensure breadth and depth of knowledge.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and use "effective assessment strategies" to check that pupils retain curriculum content.
- Pupils feel safe, with confidence that leaders will address bullying "quickly and effectively" and knowing there is "someone that they could talk to" if concerned.
- Personal development is supported through an "effective personal development curriculum" and an "extensive range of extra-curricular clubs," including sports and an LGBTQ+ group.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is robust, with leaders ensuring these pupils are "identified quickly" and receive necessary help to catch up in reading.
Areas to improve
- Governors and leaders must "scrutinise, in sufficient depth, the information available about the behaviour, attendance and uptake of extra-curricular activities" to evaluate impact more fully.
- The curriculum requires further development in a "small number of subjects" to ensure key knowledge is identified and learning sequences are fully embedded.
- Leaders should provide additional support to help pupils "regulate their own behaviour during unstructured times" where adult supervision is less present.
Safeguarding
The report states that "arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that staff are vigilant, report concerns quickly, and ensure pupils receive "timely help" from external agencies when needed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.6 |
| 2024/25 | 41.7 |
| 2025/26 | 45.8 |
| 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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