Sharples School
Bolton, BL1 8SN · Bolton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th 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 — 9.8/10 against 873 of them, against 9.3/10 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 | 73.2 · 92 | 30% | 2.76 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.86 · 95 | 25% | 2.38 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.5 · 88 | 10% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sharples School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2025. In 2024/25, 61.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 55.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.86 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 (9.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,214 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,080. 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 who need to catch up in English and maths? How does the school ensure all pupils have access to extracurricular opportunities?
What Ofsted said about Sharples School
Overview
Evidence from this ungraded inspection suggests the school’s work “may have improved significantly across all areas” since the previous inspection, prompting a future graded inspection. Pupils “flourish in a successful and happy school community” where they “rise to the extremely high academic expectations” and demonstrate “exceptional” engagement in lessons.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “expertly designed” and “meticulously designed” in all subjects, ensuring pupils are clear about knowledge and its sequence.
- Teachers “rigorously assess and revisit” learning to fill knowledge gaps, supporting pupils to “build their knowledge securely over time.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the “same ambitious curriculum as their peers” and “achieve well” through specialist support.
- Reading is “prioritised and promoted,” with teachers focusing on “subject-specific, ambitious vocabulary” to help pupils read with confidence.
- Pupils display “exemplary behaviour,” acting with respect and pride, while benefiting from an “enriched programme” of trips, clubs, and careers guidance.
Areas to improve
The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.5 |
| 2024/25 | 55.6 |
| 2025/26 | 56.5 |
| 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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