Gilnow Primary School

About Gilnow Primary School

Gilnow Primary School in Bolton is a state-funded, mixed-gender primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it is currently running very close to full capacity with 231 pupils against a school capacity of 236. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 26.7%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools and signals a catchment area with above-average levels of socioeconomic deprivation. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 43 applications for just 27 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.59. Of those, 22 families put Gilnow as their first preference, and all 22 were offered a place. The school has a non-religious character, offers nursery provision, and is led by headteacher Kate Hesketh. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. This marks a clear improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2012, when it was rated Requires Improvement.

Academically, Gilnow’s Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 place it towards the lower end of Bolton primary schools. Just 36% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of 66%. The school ranks 87th out of 87 primary schools in Bolton on this metric, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally. Looking at individual subjects, 57% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, 46% in maths, and 64% in writing. Higher-standard attainment is low: 7% in reading, 11% in maths, and 11% in writing. Average scaled scores were 101 in both reading and maths. Progress measures are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say whether pupils are making typical gains from their starting points. The school does not have a sixth form, and its most recent Ofsted inspection did not provide separate graded judgements for quality of education, behaviour, personal development or early years.

The school site includes a library, ICT suite, sensory room, art studios, playing fields, and a chapel. Sports offered include football, netball, swimming, athletics, dance and cross country, while clubs cover coding, chess, choir, eco club, art and drama. Gilnow has a broad range of SEND provisions, supporting moderate and severe learning difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, visual impairment, and physical disability. With an oversubscription ratio of 1.59, families applying should be prepared for competition, though all first-preference applicants were accommodated in the most recent round. This school is best suited to families in the Bolton area who value a non-religious, community-focused primary with strong SEND support and a wide extracurricular offer, and who are comfortable with academic outcomes that sit below the local average.

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