Masefield Primary School

About Masefield Primary School

Masefield Primary School punches well above the local average in Bolton when it comes to Key Stage 2 outcomes. While the local authority average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined sits at 66%, Masefield achieves a striking 87%. That gap of 21 percentage points places the school firmly among the top performers in the borough — ranked 5th out of 87 primary schools and in the top 6% nationally. It’s a particularly impressive result given that the school’s intake includes a higher-than-average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 21.7%. The school is also oversubscribed by a ratio of 3.07 to 1, with 89 applications for just 29 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, suggesting local families are well aware of its strong reputation.

Digging into the detail of the 2023/24 SATs results, Masefield’s performance is consistently strong across all three core subjects. In reading, 97% of pupils reached the expected standard and 53% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 110. Maths tells a similar story: 89% at expected and 53% at the higher threshold, with an average score of 109. Writing is slightly lower but still well above the national picture, with 87% at expected and 26% at greater depth. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in July 2024, confirmed it remains Good with an improving trajectory. Leadership and management, as well as overall effectiveness, were both graded Good. That’s a significant turnaround from its previous graded inspection in 2012, when the school was rated Requires Improvement, and a further back from a 2008 inspection that also flagged concerns.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, library, ICT suite, sensory room and art studios, plus outdoor playing fields and a playground. Sports on offer include swimming, gymnastics, tennis and dance, while clubs range from chess and gardening to science club and choir. Masefield also provides nursery provision for children from age three, making it a natural choice for families wanting continuity through primary. The school’s SEND register is comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, autism, hearing impairment and physical disability. With 257 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is operating above its official limit, which alongside the oversubscription figures suggests it’s a popular choice for Bolton families seeking strong academic outcomes in a state primary setting.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Masefield Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents