St James's Church of England High School
Bolton, BL4 9RU · Bolton · secondary school
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8th of 20 secondary schools in Bolton we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 5.6/10 against 876 of them, against 5.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 53.6 · 70 | 30% | 2.11 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.07 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.1 · 61 | 10% | 0.61 |
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's Church of England High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.07 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (6.6 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Chess Club, Animal Club, and Bicycle Repair Club. Sports include cricket, dance, and trampolining. Arts activities feature the SPIRIT Theatre Company, School Orchestra, and Senior Singers. Trips include bi-annual visits to London and New York theatres. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,053 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 whose Progress 8 score is below 0? How are places allocated for the next entry year?
What Ofsted said about St James's Church of England High School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders and staff maintain "extremely high expectations" for behaviour and achievement, fostering a "calm and orderly" environment. Pupils benefit from "exceptional pastoral care" and feel a "strong sense of belonging," supported by staff who provide "care and support" to help them overcome challenges. The school is praised for its "suitably aspirational curriculum" and effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit "extremely well" behaviour, are "courteous," and contribute to a safe environment where bullying is rare and quickly addressed.
- Teachers possess "strong" subject knowledge and explain content clearly, helping pupils "gain, recall and use new knowledge well."
- Leaders provide "exceptional pastoral care," ensuring pupils develop as "young citizens" and understand positive relationships.
- Staff effectively support pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they "cover the full curriculum" through "well-focused support."
- Leaders support staff well, helping them "manage their workload" and ensuring they feel "extremely well supported."
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, curriculum content for Years 10 and 11 is not as "rigorous or carefully sequenced" as it could be, affecting knowledge retention.
- Assessment strategies are "variable," with some subjects lacking approaches that clearly identify what pupils know and remember across all year groups.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with leaders having a "deep understanding" of risks and staff trained to report concerns in a timely way.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.9 |
| 2024/25 | 53.5 |
| 2025/26 | 48.1 |
| 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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