Bolton St Catherine's Academy

Bolton · BL2 4HU

General information All-through School · 2-16 years Who goes here 1003 pupils, 52.7% FSM

Educational attainment Ofsted and results

Parent score Rate this school No reviews yet - be the first SEN SEN unit + resourced provision · 21.5% on SEN support Behaviour 9.1% absence rate Staff 17.7% turnover Financials £8,829 per pupil Environment Buildings and facilities

We've asked this school for its figures on behaviour, bullying and staffing under the Freedom of Information Act. Get an email when it replies.

Notify me

Your email address

Leave this empty

We'll email you a link to confirm first. Your address is only used for news about this school, and every email has a link to stop them. Privacy

Bolton St Catherine's Academy

General Information

Address: Stitch MI Lane, Bolton, BL2 4HU – View on map
Phone: 01204332533
Website: Visit school website
Headteacher: Mr Gareth Watson
Age range: 2-16 years
Demand for places (Year 7, September 2026): 109 families put it first for 134 places – 8 for every 10 places. Every one of them was offered a place. 1 of the 134 places went to families living outside the council area. Children putting it first, for every 10 places: 2023 7 · 2024 6 · 2025 6 · 2026 8
Demand for places (Reception, September 2026): 18 families put it first for 28 places – 6 for every 10 places. Every one of them was offered a place. No places went to families living outside the council area. Children putting it first, for every 10 places: 2023 9 · 2024 7 · 2025 10 · 2026 6
Intake: Mixed
Religious character: Church of England
Nursery provision: Yes

Who goes here

1003 pupils out of 1130 places

Pupils eligible for free school meals: 523
% eligible for free school meals: 52.7%
Pupil mix: 6 in 10 (similar to the Bolton average)
English as an additional language: 23% (England 22%)

Staff

Teachers leaving each year

Teacher turnover: 17.7% a year (Bolton 16.5%, typical in England 15.5%)
Where they went: about 57% moved to another school, 43% left state schools altogether (retirement, other careers, independent schools, abroad)
Data years: 2022/23 to 2024/25 (average of 3 years, DfE school workforce census)

Teachers who moved school or left state schools in the year after each November, as a share of all the school's teachers. Some turnover is healthy – retirements, promotions, moving house.

Behaviour

Awaiting Data

About this Behaviour status

We've asked this school for real behaviour figures under Freedom of Information and haven't had a response yet.

Across Bolton: suspensions by reason

Suspensions for sexual misconduct: 65 (2.9 per 1,000 pupils; England 1.7)
Permanent exclusions for sexual misconduct: 0
Suspensions for bullying: 28 (1.3 per 1,000 pupils; England 1.9)
Suspensions for abuse against sexual orientation or gender identity: 15 (0.7 per 1,000 pupils; England 0.8)
Data year: 2024/25 (DfE suspensions and exclusions statistics)

These are figures for all state secondary schools in Bolton, not this school's own – the government doesn't publish them school by school. A suspension can have up to three reasons. Most sexual harassment between pupils never leads to a suspension, so these figures show only part of the picture.

Attendance

Overall absence: 9.1%
Persistently absent pupils: 24.0%
Data year: 2024/25

About persistent absence

A pupil is counted as "persistently absent" if they miss 10% or more of their possible school sessions - roughly one day in every two weeks. Schools and Ofsted both pay close attention to this figure specifically, since it can highlight a pattern the overall absence rate alone might hide.

SEN

SEN unit for AutismSpeech, language and communicationSocial, emotional and mental healthModerate learning difficultiesSpecific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) 300 places · 250 pupils at the last count
Resourced provision for AutismSpeech, language and communicationSocial, emotional and mental healthModerate learning difficultiesSpecific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) 18 places · 18 pupils at the last count

Places are usually for children with an EHC Plan and are arranged through the council, not the normal school application.

Pupils on SEN Support: 21.5%
Pupils with an EHC Plan: 5.7%
Data year: 2025/26

Most common needs - SEN Support

Social, emotional and mental health: 69 pupils
Moderate learning difficulty: 44 pupils
Speech, language and communications needs: 41 pupils
Autistic spectrum disorder: 28 pupils
Specific learning difficulty: 24 pupils

Most common needs - EHC Plan

Autistic spectrum disorder: 26 pupils
Social, emotional and mental health: 10 pupils
Moderate learning difficulty: 9 pupils
Speech, language and communications needs: 9 pupils
Specific learning difficulty: 1 pupil

These figures show the makeup of the school.

About these SEND figures

These figures give a sense of the makeup of the school - they aren't a judgement on the quality of support provided.

Parent score - no reviews yet –

Be the first to review — win £100 of books for your school Every honest review enters you into our prize draw

Behaviour

–

Openness

–

Teaching Quality

–

School Ethos

–

Ability to Deal with Problems

–

Headteacher Approval

–

SafeguardingSafeguarding (parent rating)How parents rate the school on keeping children safe - how safe their child feels, and how well concerns are listened to and acted on. It's parents' experience, not an inspection result; Ofsted checks safeguarding separately.

–

Wraparound CareWraparound Care (parent rating)How parents rate the school's breakfast and after-school clubs - availability, cost and quality. Only asked for infant, junior and primary schools, where it matters most for working parents.

–

Would recommend –

Educational Attainment

No overall grade given 2025 report

About this Ofsted rating

Ofsted stopped giving single overall grades for a period between September 2024 and November 2025 - this school's most recent inspection falls in that window, so there's no single rating to show, even though it was inspected. The full report (linked below) still has the detail.

SecondaryGCSE results, Year 11

Attainment 8 score: 34.3
Compared with the area: 12.5 points below the Bolton average (46.8)
Compared with schools with similar pupils: Below (−3.7 points against an expected 38.0)
Grade 4+ in English and maths: 46% (Bolton 66%, England 65%) Broadly steady
Data year: 2024/25

View the School Context Comparator – how this school's results compare with schools teaching similar pupils.

GCSE results over time

This schoolBolton averageEngland→ Broadly steady No clear rise or fall since 2022/23 (changes this small are normal from one year group to the next). In 2024/25 this school was 12.5 points below the Bolton average (46.8).

About the Attainment 8 score

Attainment 8 measures a pupil's average result across 8 GCSE-equivalent qualifications (English and maths count double). It shows how pupils performed, not how much progress they made getting there - a school with a higher score doesn't necessarily add more value, since pupils often arrive with different starting points. Progress 8 is the measure designed to account for that, but it currently can't be calculated for any school for the two most recent academic years, due to a nationwide gap in the data caused by COVID-19 disruption to Key Stage 2 testing.

18th of 18 all-through schools in Bolton for Attainment 8

#16University Collegiate School36.7
#17Smithills School36.5
#18Bolton St Catherine's Academy34.3

Click to see the full ranking

Attainment 8 ranking

Illustrative MVP scores - not based on verified data yet.

Rank School Score

#1Sharples School55.6
#2Bolton Muslim Girls School54.7
#3Canon Slade School53.9
#4St James's Church of England High School53.5
#5Eden Boys' School, Bolton53.0
#6Essa Academy53.0
#7Kearsley Academy51.8
#8Little Lever School46.2
#9Thornleigh Salesian College45.7
#10King's Leadership Academy Bolton45.4
#11St Joseph's RC High School44.8
#12Westhoughton High School44.4
#13Turton School43.7
#14Harper Green School42.8
#15Ladybridge High School41.7
#16University Collegiate School36.7
#17Smithills School36.5
#18Bolton St Catherine's Academy34.3

Leaver Destinations

In education, employment, or training a year later: 78.0%
Went into further education: 73.0%
Data year: 2024/25

About leaver destinations

This shows where a school's Year 11 leavers were recorded the following year - in a "sustained" destination means in education, an apprenticeship, or employment for at least 6 months, not just enrolled briefly. It's a different picture from exam results alone, and can highlight schools that support pupils well beyond just their GCSE grades.

GCSE Subjects Offered

Maths (General)
English Language
English Literature
Science Double Award
Geography
History
Art & Design
Business Studies
Speech & Drama
Biology
Chemistry (General)
Physics (General)
D & T
Music Studies (General)
French Language
Spanish
Community Development
Portuguese
Polish
Italian

About this subject list

This isn't the school's own description of its curriculum - it's real DfE exam entry data, showing which GCSE subjects this school's pupils were actually entered for in 2024/25. A subject not appearing here may still be taught but had no pupils entered that year, so treat this as a helpful guide rather than a complete guarantee - it's worth confirming directly with the school for the year your child would actually study.

PrimaryYear 6 SATs results

Year 6 SATs results

Met the expected standard in reading, writing & maths: 34% (England 62%)
Reached the higher standard: 6% (England 8%)
Compared with the area: 31 percentage points below the Bolton average (65%)
Compared with schools with similar pupils: As expected (3-year average 51% against an expected 53%)
3-year average (expected standard): 51%
Expected standard by subject: Reading 50% · Writing 69% · Maths 66% · Grammar, punctuation & spelling 44%
Average test scores: reading 100, maths 103
Based on: 32 Year 6 pupils, 2024/25

View the School Context Comparator – how this school's SATs results compare with schools teaching similar pupils.

SATs results over time

This schoolBolton averageEngland↘ Falling Down 26 percentage points since 2022/23. In 2024/25 this school was 31 percentage points below the Bolton average (65%).

Year 6 SATs: joint 87th of 88 junior and primary schools in the area

#85St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever42%
#86Beacon Primary School36%
=87Bolton St Catherine's Academy34%
=87Claypool Primary School34%

Click to see the full ranking

Year 6 SATs ranking

Junior and primary schools in this area, ranked by the % of Year 6 pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (official DfE results, 2024/25). Schools with the same result share a place (shown as =). In small schools one or two children can move a school several places, so treat close positions as roughly equal.

Rank School Score

#1The Olive School, Bolton95%
#2St Andrew's CofE Primary School, Over Hulton90%
#3Bowness Primary School86%
=4Beaumont Primary School84%
=4Masefield Primary School84%
=4St William of York Roman Catholic Primary School84%
=4The Gates Primary School84%
#8The Valley Community Primary School83%
#9St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy82%
#10Kearsley West Primary School81%
#11Oxford Grove Primary School80%
=12Gaskell Community Primary School79%
=12Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School79%
=12St Paul's CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge79%
=12The Oaks Primary School79%
=16Blackrod Primary School78%
=16St Thomas CofE Primary School78%
=18Markland Hill Primary School77%
=18Prestolee Primary School77%
#20The Ferns Primary Academy76%
=21Heathfield Primary School75%
=21The Olive Tree Primary School Bolton75%
=23Haslam Park Primary School74%
=23Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School74%
=23Spindle Point Primary School74%
=23Sunning Hill Primary School74%
#27Horwich Parish CofE Primary School73%
#28St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton72%
=29Eagley Junior School70%
=29Eatock Primary School70%
=31Blackshaw Primary School69%
=31Hardy Mill Primary School69%
=31Ladybridge Community Primary School69%
=31St Columba's RC Primary School69%
#35Devonshire Road Primary School68%
=36Castle Hill Primary School67%
=36Moorgate Primary School67%
=36St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth67%
=36St Saviour CofE Primary School, Ringley67%
=40All Saints CofE Primary School66%
=40Essa Primary Academy66%
=40Highfield Primary School66%
=40Sharples Primary School66%
=40St Mary's CofE Primary School, Deane66%
=45St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill65%
=45St Stephen and All Martyrs' CofE School, Lever Bridge65%
=47Clarendon Primary School63%
=47Lever Edge Primary Academy63%
=47Red Lane Primary School63%
=47St Bartholomew's CofE Primary School63%
=51Church Road Primary School62%
=51Harwood Meadows Primary School62%
=51Ss Simon & Jude CofE Primary School, Bolton62%
=51St Catherine's CofE Primary School62%
=51St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy62%
=56Bishop Bridgeman CofE Primary School61%
=56High Lawn Primary School61%
=56St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton61%
=56St Maxentius CofE Primary School61%
=60Chorley New Road Primary Academy60%
=60St George's CofE Primary School60%
=62St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever59%
=62St Peter's Smithills Dean Church of England Primary School59%
=64Queensbridge Primary School58%
=64St John the Evangelist RC Primary School, Bromley Cross, Bolton58%
=64St Peter's CofE Primary School58%
#67SS Osmund and Andrew's R.C. Primary School57%
=68Blackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary School56%
=68Brandwood Primary School56%
=68Mytham Primary School56%
=68St Mary's RC Primary School56%
#72St Brendan's RC Primary School, Harwood, Bolton55%
#73Pikes Lane Primary School54%
=74Brownlow Fold Primary School53%
=74Gilnow Primary School53%
=74St Stephen's CofE Primary School53%
=77Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School52%
=77St Thomas of Canterbury RC School52%
#79St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell50%
#80St Bede Academy49%
#81St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Bolton47%
#82Leverhulme Community Primary School45%
=83Cherry Tree Primary School44%
=83Tonge Moor Primary Academy44%
#85St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever42%
#86Beacon Primary School36%
=87Bolton St Catherine's Academy34%
=87Claypool Primary School34%

View full Ofsted inspection report

Financials

Spending per pupil: £8,829 (2024-25)

About this spending figure

A higher or lower position here isn't a sign of a better or worse school - schools have different needs and circumstances - but it can help reassure you that a school has sufficient funding behind your child's education.

1st of 19 all-through schools in Bolton for spending per pupil

#1Bolton St Catherine's Academy£8,829
#2Harper Green School£8,582
#3Smithills School£8,392

Click to see the full ranking

Spending Per Pupil ranking

Based on official DfE financial return data (Consistent Financial Reporting / Academies Accounts Return) - not a ranking of school quality.

Rank School Score

#1Bolton St Catherine's Academy£8,829
#2Harper Green School£8,582
#3Smithills School£8,392
#4Essa Academy£8,078
#5University Collegiate School£8,071
#6Ladybridge High School£8,012
#7Turton School£7,960
#8Kearsley Academy£7,823
#9Eden Boys' School, Bolton£7,791
#10Sharples School£7,722
#11Bolton Muslim Girls School£7,705
#12Little Lever School£7,653
#13St James's Church of England High School£7,584
#14King's Leadership Academy Bolton£7,528
#15Thornleigh Salesian College£7,363
#16Westhoughton High School£7,283
#17St Joseph's RC High School£7,251
#18Canon Slade School£6,916
#19Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy£6,182

View on the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool (GOV.UK)

Have you rated Bolton St Catherine's Academy yet? Your experience helps other parents.

Rate this school

General Information

Who goes here

Staff

Teachers leaving each year

Behaviour

Across Bolton: suspensions by reason

Attendance

SEN

Most common needs - SEN Support

Most common needs - EHC Plan

Educational Attainment

Attainment 8 ranking

Leaver Destinations ?

GCSE Subjects Offered ?

Year 6 SATs ranking

Financials

Spending Per Pupil ranking

Leaver Destinations

GCSE Subjects Offered