St James's Church of England High School
101%
Capacity
1,064
Pupils
4.0x
Demand
About St James's Church of England High School
St James's Church of England High School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Bolton community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,064 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (101% of 1,050 places).
Ofsted has rated St James's Church of England High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Catherine Anderson, it falls under Bolton local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.07 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.9. Additionally, ranked 1707th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 12th out of 19 in Bolton.
St James's Church of England High School is a popular choice with families — it received 806 applications for 200 places, making it 4.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 359 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 11 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 8 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James's Church of England High School include Swimming Pool, Music Rooms, Playing Fields, Library, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Theatre, ICT Suite, Tennis Courts, Science Labs, Astro Turf, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Football, Hockey, Rugby and 4 more, as well as clubs including Drama, DofE, Choir, Book Club and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.7%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bolton, St James's Church of England High 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 | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Lucas Road, Bolton, Bolton, BL4 9RU |
| Headteacher | Catherine Anderson |
| Local Authority | Bolton |
| Number of Pupils | 1,064 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,064 / 1,050 (101% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 12 Dec 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.07)
1707th of 3,141
Nationally
192nd of 445
In North West
12th of 19
In Bolton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed200
806
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
359 families put this school as their 1st choice (45% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James's Church of England High School
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
Lucas Road, Bolton
Bolton, BL4 9RU
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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