The Elton High School
102%
Capacity
1,025
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About The Elton High School
The Elton High School is a popular choice among Bury families, and the numbers back that up. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 558 applications for 201 places, making it significantly oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.78 applicants per spot. Of those, 264 families put it as their first preference, and 195 first-preference offers were made. While there is no direct parent satisfaction survey data available in the school's records, this level of demand is a strong signal that local parents see it as a solid option. The school is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is led by headteacher Jonathan Wilton. It currently has 1,025 pupils on roll, slightly above its official capacity of 1,000, which further reflects its draw in the area.
Academically, The Elton High School presents a mixed picture. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2017, it was rated Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. An ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good. This is a notable improvement from its previous inspection in 2015, when it was rated Requires Improvement. On the Progress 8 measure for 2023/24, the school scored -0.24, which is below the Bury local authority average of -0.02 and places it 10th out of 14 schools in the borough. The Attainment 8 score sits at 45.8, and 64.8% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. However, only 44.3% achieved a grade 5 or above in those subjects, and just 10% entered and achieved the EBacc at grade 5 or above. The school's Progress 8 banding is classified as 'Below average' nationally.
The school offers a good range of facilities, including a swimming pool, astro turf, playing fields, and a library, alongside clubs like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, coding, orchestra, and drama. Sports on offer include rowing, football, and gymnastics. For families with children who have additional needs, the school has a comprehensive list of SEND provisions, covering areas from dyslexia and autism to physical disabilities and speech and language needs. With 21.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals, it serves a community with above-average deprivation. The Elton High School is best suited to families who want a well-subscribed local secondary with improving Ofsted grades and a broad extracurricular offer, but who are realistic about its below-average Progress 8 outcomes compared to other Bury schools.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Walshaw Road, Bury, Bury, BL8 1RN |
| Headteacher | Jonathan Wilton |
| Local Authority | Bury |
| Number of Pupils | 1,025 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.1% |
| School Capacity | 1,025 / 1,000 (102% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (3 Feb 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 6 Mar 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.24)
2094th of 3,141
Nationally
253rd of 445
In North West
10th of 14
In Bury
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2345%
of GCSE leavers continue at FE college (cohort: 207 pupils).
- FE college45%
- Sixth form college40%
- Employment7%
- Not sustained4%
- Apprenticeship3%
96% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
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
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed201
558
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
264 families put this school as their 1st choice (47% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:40 – 15:10
Source: eltonhigh.bury.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British81.8%
- Asian9.4%
- Mixed5.1%
- White (other)1.4%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
12
Total schools
12
Oversubscribed
10
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Elton 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
Walshaw Road, Bury
Bury, BL8 1RN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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