Kearsley Academy
82%
Capacity
780
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Kearsley Academy
Kearsley Academy is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Bolton community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 780 pupils on roll and is well-filled (82% of 950 places).
Ofsted has rated Kearsley Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Ryan Baxter, it falls under Bolton local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.55 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 51.4. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 441st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 19 in Bolton.
Kearsley Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 218 applications for 137 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 107 were first-preference applications.
Kearsley Academy has average reviews on SchoolParrot (3.4/5 from 1 parents).
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 Kearsley Academy include Playing Fields, Theatre, Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Library, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Martial Arts, Basketball, Rugby, Cross Country and 2 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, Chess, Debate, Coding and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 41.0%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bolton, Kearsley 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 | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Springfield Road, Bolton, Bolton, BL4 8HY |
| Headteacher | Ryan Baxter |
| Local Authority | Bolton |
| Number of Pupils | 780 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 41.0% |
| School Capacity | 780 / 950 (82% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
16 Mar 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 16 May 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.55)
441st of 3,141
Nationally
43rd of 445
In North West
4th of 19
In Bolton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more 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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed137
218
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
107 families put this school as their 1st choice (49% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kearsley 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
Springfield Road, Bolton
Bolton, BL4 8HY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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