Essa Primary Academy

About Essa Primary Academy

Essa Primary Academy in Bolton is a mixed, non-faith state primary for children aged 4 to 11, and its intake data paints a clear picture of a school serving a community with significant need. With 406 pupils on roll against a capacity of 420, the school is running very close to full, and the demand is evident: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 85 applications for just 42 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.02. Of those applicants, 31 were first-preference offers, meaning the school is a popular first choice for local families. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 42.6%, which is notably high — well above the national average for primary schools and a strong indicator of the socio-economic context the school operates within. This demographic profile is a central feature of the school's identity and shapes both its challenges and its approach.

Academically, Essa Primary Academy holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024, with all key areas — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management — judged as Good. The early years provision, previously rated Outstanding in 2019, is now also Good. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 59% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the Bolton local authority average of 66%. The school ranks 59th out of 87 primary schools in Bolton on this metric, placing it in the bottom half locally and nationally in the bottom 40% of all primaries. However, individual subject scores are more mixed: 77% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, and average scores in reading (104) and maths (103) are close to the national average of 100, suggesting that while combined attainment is a concern, core skills are being developed.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, sensory room, art studios, and playing fields, alongside clubs like science, choir, drama and gardening. Sports provision covers tennis, swimming, gymnastics and athletics. SEND support is formally listed for conditions including dyslexia, speech and language needs, and autistic spectrum disorder, though the Parent View survey — based on just 10 responses — showed no parents answered the question on SEND support, so it's hard to gauge satisfaction in that area. Overall, 70% of responding parents would recommend the school, and strong majorities agreed their child is happy (80% agree or strongly agree) and does well (90%). Essa Primary Academy is a well-subscribed, community-focused school that suits families who value a supportive environment and are comfortable with its above-average level of pupil disadvantage, but who may want to keep a close eye on academic outcomes relative to the local average.

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