Classpot

Essa Primary Academy

Bolton, BL3 3HHPrimaryAges 4–11MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Nov 2024
KS2 Results
59%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
31 1st-choice / 42 places
Ranking
#8,020
of 13,686 nationally

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.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range4 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressLever Edge Lane, BOLTON, Bolton, BL3 3HH
HeadteacherDanielle Broadbent
Local AuthorityBolton
Number of Pupils406
Free School Meals (FSM)42.6%
School Capacity406 / 420 (97% full)

The full report on this school

What 10 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

5 Nov 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 1 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
LibraryOutdoor PlaygroundSensory RoomArt StudiosPlaying FieldsDining Hall

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

12

Sports

TennisRoundersAthleticsGymnasticsSwimmingCross Country

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubChoirDramaGardeningFilm ClubArt Club

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning DifficultyOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Essa Primary Academy

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