Classpot

University Collegiate School

Bolton, BL3 5AGSecondaryAges 11–19MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Sep 2024
Progress 8
-0.98
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.6×
Not oversubscribed
67 1st-choice / 119 places
Ranking
#3,007
of 3,141 nationally

About University Collegiate School

University Collegiate School’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.98 places it significantly below the Bolton local authority average of 0.07 for secondary schools, ranking it 20th out of 22 schools of its type in the borough. This is a stark contrast that parents will want to weigh carefully. The school’s Attainment 8 score sits at 35.2, and just 30% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 95 measure). Only 6.7% of students entered the EBacc, and the EBacc average point score was 3.01. These figures paint a picture of a school where academic outcomes, on average, are notably lower than the local norm. However, it’s worth noting that the school serves a community with high disadvantage — 47% of pupils are eligible for free school meals — and its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2024 rated it Good across all areas, a remarkable turnaround from its previous Inadequate rating in December 2022.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 19 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
Address85 Deane Road, Bolton, Bolton, BL3 5AG
HeadteacherIan Barry
Local AuthorityBolton
Number of Pupils604
Free School Meals (FSM)47.0%
School Capacity604 / 840 (72% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 36 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

24 Sept 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 10 Nov 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Swimming PoolSixth Form CentreArt StudiosSports HallLibraryTennis CourtsDining Hall

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

BasketballSwimmingRugbyBadmintonFootballAthletics

Clubs & Activities

GardeningArt ClubDramaDebateScience ClubNewspaperDuke of EdinburghModel United Nations

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About University Collegiate School

University Collegiate School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.