St Joseph's RC High School
Bolton, BL6 6HW · Bolton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th 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 the 922 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.5/10 among them, against 3.7/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 40.0 · 37 | 46% | 1.73 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.14 · 39 | 38% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.4 · 31 | 15% | 0.48 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Joseph's RC High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.14 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6 out of 10 among them, against 5.2 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,047 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's RC High School
Overview
The report describes a school that "fosters a positive culture" where pupils feel "well cared for and valued." Inspectors found that the school has raised expectations for conduct, resulting in pupils who are "respectful" and "motivated to excel." The curriculum is generally "clear and ambitious," helping most pupils achieve well, though inconsistencies remain in specific areas.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "well-considered curriculum" in most subjects, building a "secure foundation of knowledge."
- Effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) via the ‘RAISE network’ ensures they can "access the curriculum and achieve well."
- The school has strengthened reading support, helping pupils who struggle to "quickly develop confidence and fluency."
- Staff morale is high, with staff feeling "supported in driving improvements" and valuing efforts to "reduce workload."
- Careers guidance prepares pupils well for their next steps through "mentoring programmes and work placements."
Areas to improve
- The key stage 3 curriculum in some subjects lacks sufficient "breadth and depth," limiting pupils' knowledge development.
- Checks on learning do not always identify if prior learning is "fully secure," allowing "misconceptions and gaps" to go unnoticed.
- The personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum is "not delivered consistently well," limiting opportunities to explore fundamental British values and relationships in depth.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.9 |
| 2024/25 | 44.8 |
| 2025/26 | 42.4 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of BL6 6HW, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT