St Thomas CofE Primary School
Bolton, BL5 3HP · Bolton · primary school
Check the area around this school
42nd 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 4,088 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9/10 among them, against 7.5/10 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 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.40 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 9.0 · 61 | 25% | 1.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Thomas CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 9.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9 out of 10 among them, against 7.5 out of 10 nationally. The most recent inspection took place in May 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 239 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 latest inspection was in May 2026, what specific improvements have been made in the areas graded under the new framework? How does the school support pupils in reaching the higher standard, given the 9.0% attainment rate?
What Ofsted said about St Thomas CofE Primary School
Overview
St Thomas CofE Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils are "proud to attend" and feel "safe, valued and included." The report highlights a "welcoming environment" where staff build "warm and caring relationships," resulting in strong pupil wellbeing and achievement that exceeds national averages.
Strengths
- The "wider offer is particularly effective," featuring a "thoughtful and varied provision" including clubs, sports, and a robust personal, social and health education curriculum.
- Pupils "achieve well across the curriculum," with standards in reading, writing and mathematics "above the national average," including for disadvantaged pupils.
- Attendance is "above the national average" due to timely support for barriers, while behaviour is "typically calm and orderly" with rare bullying.
- Staff "know pupils well" and provide effective pastoral care, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the full curriculum successfully.
- Leaders have "acted decisively" to strengthen the curriculum, ensuring learning "builds logically from one year to the next."
Areas to improve
- Strengthen teaching in a "small number of subjects" so pupils develop "more secure subject-specific knowledge."
- Further embed the approach to handwriting to enable pupils to "write with more fluency and accuracy."
- Strengthen support for the "small number of pupils who struggle to regulate their behaviour" to help them meet expectations consistently.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 73% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 78% |
| 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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