St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill
Bolton, BL5 2JU · Bolton · primary school
Check the area around this school
50th 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 the 4,174 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.1/10 among them, against 4.5/10 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 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 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.
St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 4.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.1 out of 10 among them, against 4.5 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 445 pupils against a stated capacity of 450. 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 not reaching the higher standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to improve outcomes in the similar-intake comparison group?
What Ofsted said about St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill
Overview
St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill continues to be a good school. Pupils feel happy and safe within a welcoming community where they are looked after by kind adults who know them well. The school maintains high expectations for achievement, supported by an ambitious curriculum and strong staff collaboration.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well-designed" and ordered logically, ensuring pupils develop a "secure body of subject knowledge" from the earliest stages.
- Teachers possess strong subject expertise, using "modelling effectively" and "questioning skilfully" to address misconceptions and bring learning to life.
- There is a "strong culture of reading for pleasure," with staff delivering effective daily phonics sessions and quickly supporting those who find reading difficult.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified timely and receive tailored support to access the curriculum alongside peers.
- Behaviour is consistently managed, with pupils striving to meet the school’s "gold" standard and demonstrating polite, considerate attitudes.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, some teachers do not use assessment methods well enough to identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge, which can hinder their understanding of new learning.
Safeguarding
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 | 80% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| 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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