St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth
99%
Capacity
359
Pupils
1.8x
Demand
About St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Bolton community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 359 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 362 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth "Good", the school is led by headteacher Chris Booth, it falls under Bolton local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 45% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 11684th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 83rd out of 87 in Bolton.
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth is a popular choice with families — it received 55 applications for 30 places, making it 1.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 29 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth include Sports Hall, Music Rooms, Sensory Room, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rounders, Gymnastics, Athletics, Cricket, as well as clubs including Art Club, Science Club, Film Club, Drama and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 48.8%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bolton, St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth 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 | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Hillside Avenue, Bolton, Bolton, BL4 9QB |
| Headteacher | Chris Booth |
| Local Authority | Bolton |
| Number of Pupils | 359 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 48.8% |
| School Capacity | 359 / 362 (99% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Oct 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 13 Nov 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (45%)
11684th of 13,686
Nationally
1716th of 2,065
In North West
83rd of 87
In Bolton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
45%
Expected Standard
9%
Higher Standard
'22/23
57%
'23/24
45%
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
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
55
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
29 families put this school as their 1st choice (53% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth
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
Hillside Avenue, Bolton
Bolton, BL4 9QB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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