St Columba's RC Primary School
Bolton, BL2 3AR · Bolton · primary school
Check the area around this school
38th 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 — 7.0/10 against 2,182 of them, against 5.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 69.0 · 63 | 40% | 2.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Columba's RC Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0%, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 235 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 inspection was in 2024, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How does the school support pupils who are working towards the expected standard in maths?
What Ofsted said about St Columba's RC Primary School
Overview
St Columba’s RC Primary School is judged ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining high standards since its previous ‘Outstanding’ rating. Pupils are described as ‘keen to help others’ and ‘safe and happy’, benefiting from an ambitious curriculum and strong leadership. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils ‘love to learn’ and conduct themselves ‘impeccably’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘balanced’ and ‘ambitious’, with clear guidance in many subjects helping pupils, including those with SEND, to ‘build their knowledge securely’.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘exemplary’ behaviour, with disruptions being ‘very rare’ and children showing they are ‘considerate and polite’.
- Staff carry out ‘effective checks’ on learning, quickly addressing misconceptions to support pupil progress, particularly in mathematics.
- Early years provision is strong, with phonics taught consistently from Reception, ensuring ‘most pupils meet the phonics screening check’.
- Leaders support staff well, with governors taking an ‘active role’ and staff appreciating actions to manage workload.
Areas to improve
- The school must ‘finalise its curriculum thinking’ in a few subjects where content is still being refined, ensuring staff have clearer guidance on what to teach.
- Actions to improve attendance and punctuality are ‘not having the desired effect’, causing some pupils to miss important learning; approaches to remove barriers must be reviewed.
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 | 72% |
| 2023/24 | 68% |
| 2024/25 | 69% |
| 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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