St Columba's RC Primary School
112%
Capacity
236
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About St Columba's RC Primary School
St Columba's RC Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Bolton community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 236 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (112% of 210 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Columba's RC Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Sarah Deary, it falls under Bolton local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 4826th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 39th out of 87 in Bolton.
St Columba's RC Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 42 applications for 27 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 24 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Columba's RC Primary School include Forest School, Library, Playing Fields, Sensory Room, Music Rooms, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Rounders, Cricket, Tennis, as well as clubs including Art Club, Coding, Gardening, Science Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 30.1%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bolton, St Columba's RC Primary School 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 | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Ripley Street, Bolton, Bolton, BL2 3AR |
| Headteacher | Sarah Deary |
| Local Authority | Bolton |
| Number of Pupils | 236 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.1% |
| School Capacity | 236 / 210 (112% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
10 Apr 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 16 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (68%)
4826th of 13,686
Nationally
698th of 2,065
In North West
39th of 87
In Bolton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
68%
Expected Standard
4%
Higher Standard
'22/23
72%
'23/24
68%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed27
42
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
24 families put this school as their 1st choice (57% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Columba's RC Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Ripley Street, Bolton
Bolton, BL2 3AR
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St Columba's RC Primary School!
Write a Review