Classpot

Essa Academy

Bolton, BL3 3HHSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Mar 2026
Progress 8
+0.73
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
196 1st-choice / 204 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#252 of 3,141 nationally

About Essa Academy

Essa Academy is a mixed, non-denominational secondary school in Bolton, serving 1,077 pupils aged 11 to 16. It sits third out of 19 schools in the local authority when ranked by Progress 8, placing it comfortably in Bolton’s top tier. The two schools ahead of it are Bolton Muslim Girls School and Sharples School, while Kearsley Academy sits just behind. The school is significantly oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 584 applications for 204 places, with 196 of those as first preferences. That level of demand reflects its reputation in the area, and the school has held a Good rating from Ofsted since its most recent graded inspection in 2021, having improved from Requires Improvement in the previous inspection three years earlier.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressLever Edge Lane, Bolton, Bolton, BL3 3HH
HeadteacherMel Flynn
Local AuthorityBolton
Number of Pupils1,077
Free School Meals (FSM)44.8%
School Capacity1,077 / 990 (109% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

19 Oct 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 5 Dec 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

11
ICT SuiteDining HallSwimming PoolLibrarySports HallMusic RoomsTennis CourtsAstro TurfScience LabsArt StudiosSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

12

Sports

RoundersMartial ArtsAthleticsSwimmingDanceTennisCricket

Clubs & Activities

Model United NationsBook ClubEco ClubOrchestraGardening

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Essa Academy

Essa Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.