St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever
93%
Capacity
195
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Bolton community, welcoming children from age 5 to 11. The school has 195 pupils on roll and is well-filled (93% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever "Good", the school is led by headteacher John Shawcross, it falls under Bolton local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 48% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 11087th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 78th out of 87 in Bolton.
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever is a popular choice with families — it received 50 applications for 26 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 14 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 3 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever include Outdoor Playground, Sensory Room, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Tennis, Rounders, Dance and 3 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Art Club, Coding, Gardening and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.4%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bolton, St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever 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 | 5 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Norris Street, Bolton, Bolton, BL3 1BQ |
| Headteacher | John Shawcross |
| Local Authority | Bolton |
| Number of Pupils | 195 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.4% |
| School Capacity | 195 / 210 (93% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (2 Mar 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 8 Nov 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (48%)
11087th of 13,686
Nationally
1631st of 2,065
In North West
78th of 87
In Bolton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
48%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
65%
'23/24
48%
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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed26
50
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
14 families put this school as their 1st choice (28% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever
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
Norris Street, Bolton
Bolton, BL3 1BQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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