Moorgate Primary School

About Moorgate Primary School

Moorgate Primary School sits in the middle of the pack in Bolton when it comes to Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 63% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. That is three percentage points below the local authority average of 66% for primary schools, placing it 49th out of 97 schools in the borough. The gap is modest, but it is worth noting that the school is in the bottom half of Bolton’s primary rankings. However, this headline figure does not tell the full story. Moorgate’s Ofsted rating is Outstanding, a distinction held by only 16 of the 97 primary schools in the local authority. The school’s most recent ungraded inspection in 2023 confirmed it remains Outstanding, and its graded inspection in 2016 awarded top marks for leadership, management and early years provision. So while the raw attainment data is slightly below the LA average, the school’s overall quality is recognised as exceptional by the regulator.

Digging deeper into the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, Moorgate’s pupils performed solidly in individual subjects. In reading, 75% met the expected standard and 34% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 107. Maths saw 78% at the expected level and 41% at the higher level, with an average score of 106. Writing was the weakest area: 66% achieved the expected standard and just 16% reached the higher level. The combined expected standard figure of 63% is dragged down by writing, which is a common pattern nationally. The school’s progress scores are not available in the data, so it is hard to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. In terms of local rankings, Moorgate sits at the 56th percentile within Bolton and around the 50th percentile nationally, meaning it is broadly in line with the typical primary school across England. For a school with an Outstanding Ofsted rating, these results are respectable but not exceptional.

Moorgate is a state primary for children aged 2 to 11, with a nursery on site. It is heavily oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 106 applications for just 21 places, with 60 families listing it as their first preference. That is a ratio of over five applicants per place, so getting in is competitive. The school has a range of facilities including a library, sports hall, gymnasium, forest school and chapel, and offers clubs such as gardening, coding, choir and chess. Sports on offer include athletics, dance, tennis and swimming. The school provides for a wide range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and physical disabilities, and has a resourced provision. With 37.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged catchment. This is a school that suits families who value the Outstanding Ofsted rating and the broad enrichment offer, but who are realistic about the attainment data being slightly below the LA average.

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