Best Primary & Secondary Schools in Bolton 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 147 schools across Bolton. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Bolton has 147 primary & secondary schools, of which 22 (15%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 105 rated Good — 86% of primary & secondary schools in Bolton are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Grosvenor Nursery School and Day Care Centre currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Bolton follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

147
Total schools
22
Outstanding
15%
Outstanding rate
65%
Avg KS2 SATs
39.5
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Grosvenor Nursery School and Day Care Centre
Nursery
 Outstanding 95 View school
🥈 Green Fold School
Not applicable
 Outstanding 95 View school
🥉 Youth Challenge Pru
Not applicable
 Outstanding 95 View school
4. The Olive School, Bolton
Primary
 Outstanding 95 View school
5. Ladywood School
Not applicable
 Outstanding 95 View school
6. Bolton School Infant & Nursery School
Not applicable
 — 95 View school
7. Lostock Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 95 View school
8. The Valley Community Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 89 View school
9. Oxford Grove Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 88 View school
10. Blackrod Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 87 View school
11. Prestolee Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 86 View school
12. St Andrew's CofE Primary School, Over Hulton
Primary
 Good 85 View school
13. Sacred Heart R.C. Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 85 View school
14. Bowness Primary School
Primary
 Good 83 View school
15. Eatock Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 83 View school
16. The Gates Primary School
Primary
 Good 82 View school
17. Masefield Primary School
Primary
 Good 82 View school
18. Moorgate Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 81 View school
19. St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy
Primary
 Good 81 View school
20. Kearsley West Primary School
Primary
 Good 81 View school

Related lists for Bolton

Primary schools in BoltonReception–Year 6 only Secondary schools in BoltonYear 7 onwards Outstanding schools in Bolton22 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Bolton

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many primary & secondary schools are there in Bolton?
There are 147 primary & secondary schools in Bolton, of which 22 (15%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Bolton?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Bolton is Grosvenor Nursery School and Day Care Centre. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Bolton?
Primary and secondary school applications in Bolton are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Bolton council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Bolton?
15% of primary & secondary schools in Bolton are rated Outstanding and 71% are rated Good. 81% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.