Westhoughton High School
Bolton, BL5 3BZ · Bolton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
19th 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 910 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8/10 among them, against 2.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 2 | 35% | 0.07 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.7 · 29 | 30% | 0.87 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.64 · 10 | 25% | 0.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.2 · 21 | 10% | 0.21 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Westhoughton High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.64 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7 out of 10 among them, against 3.0 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the AQA UNIT and Duke of Edinburgh clubs, and participate in School Productions.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,342 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. 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 Progress 8 score of -0.64 influence the support provided to students in their final two years? What specific steps are taken to help pupils improve their attainment in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Westhoughton High School
Overview
The report states that the school "requires significant improvement" because it is "performing significantly less well than it might in all the circumstances reasonably be expected to perform." While leaders have strengthened the curriculum and personal development programme, improvements are not yet embedded, and inconsistencies in teaching, behaviour management, and attendance hinder pupil progress.
Strengths
- The personal development programme is "carefully designed," helping pupils understand risks and promoting resilience through initiatives like ‘Aim High’ assemblies.
- The curriculum is described as "ambitious and well designed," identifying essential knowledge, with effective support for early-stage readers.
- Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities and leadership roles, such as anti-bullying ambassadors, which foster teamwork and responsibility.
- Most pupils feel safe, with confidence that staff will take concerns about bullying seriously and act upon them.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must improve attendance and punctuality, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, to prevent them from missing substantial learning.
- Staff must implement behaviour expectations and routines consistently, including during social times, to minimise disruption to learning.
- Leaders and governors need to strengthen oversight and monitoring systems to better evaluate the impact of their actions on behaviour and sanctions.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.1 |
| 2024/25 | 44.4 |
| 2025/26 | 40.2 |
| 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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