Best Secondary Schools in Bolton 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 19 schools across Bolton. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Bolton has 19 secondary schools, of which 3 (16%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 12 rated Good — 79% of secondary schools in Bolton are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Eden Boys' School, Bolton 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.

19
Total schools
3
Outstanding
16%
Outstanding rate
65%
Avg KS2 SATs
39.5
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Eden Boys' School, Bolton
Secondary
 Outstanding 76 View school
🥈 Sharples School
Secondary
 Good 72 View school
🥉 St James's Church of England High School
Secondary
 Good 69 View school
4. Essa Academy
Secondary
 Good 69 View school
5. Kearsley Academy
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
6. Rivington and Blackrod High School
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
7. Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 60 View school
8. Little Lever School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
9. King's Leadership Academy Bolton
Secondary
 Good 59 View school
10. Turton School
Secondary
 Good 57 View school
11. Harper Green School
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
12. Bolton Muslim Girls School
Secondary
 Outstanding 56 View school
13. Canon Slade School
Secondary
 Outstanding 55 View school
14. Ladybridge High School
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
15. Westhoughton High School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 48 View school
16. Thornleigh Salesian College
Secondary
 Good 45 View school
17. St Joseph's RC High School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 44 View school
18. Smithills School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 38 View school
19. University Collegiate School
Secondary
 Good 33 View school

Related lists for Bolton

All schools in BoltonPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in BoltonReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Bolton3 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 secondary schools are there in Bolton?
There are 19 secondary schools in Bolton, of which 3 (16%) 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 Eden Boys' School, Bolton. 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?
16% of secondary schools in Bolton are rated Outstanding and 63% 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.