Bolton St Catherine's Academy
86%
Capacity
1,020
Pupils
1.1x
Demand
About Bolton St Catherine's Academy
Bolton St Catherine's Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Bolton community, welcoming children from age 3 to 16. The school has 1,020 pupils on roll and is well-filled (86% of 1,186 places).
Ofsted has rated Bolton St Catherine's Academy "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Gareth Watson, it falls under Bolton local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.71 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 35.0. Additionally, ranked 2859th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 18th out of 19 in Bolton.
Bolton St Catherine's Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 152 applications for 145 places, making it 1.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 90 were first-preference applications.
Bolton St Catherine's Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 63% recommending the school (114 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Bolton St Catherine's Academy include ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Tennis Courts, Sixth Form Centre, Dining Hall, Swimming Pool, Music Rooms, Playing Fields, Theatre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Tennis, Badminton, Basketball and 6 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Eco Club, Orchestra, Drama and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 51.5%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bolton, Bolton St Catherine's Academy is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Stitch MI Lane, Bolton, Bolton, BL2 4HU |
| Headteacher | Gareth Watson |
| Local Authority | Bolton |
| Number of Pupils | 1,020 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 51.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,020 / 1,186 (86% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Mar 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 28 Apr 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.71)
2859th of 3,141
Nationally
385th of 445
In North West
18th of 19
In Bolton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Ofsted Parent View
114 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed145
152
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
90 families put this school as their 1st choice (59% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bolton St Catherine's Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Stitch MI Lane, Bolton
Bolton, BL2 4HU
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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