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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 135770

Essa Academy

Academy sponsor led · Bolton · BL3 3HH

Ages 11–16 · 1,055 pupils · Bolton

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

Attainment 8

47.1

Overall absence

5.4%

Admissions demand

1.05 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-01-20

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.73
−20+2
Attainment 847.1
English & maths grade 5+40%
English & maths grade 4+65%
EBacc entry28%

EBacc APS: 3.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence5.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)15.2%
Unauthorised3.8%
Authorised absence
1.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.5%
Enrolments in measure
1,141

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.05 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

214

Places offered

203

1st-preference offers

169

Total preferences (any rank)
600
Preferred offers (top 3)
203
Applications from outside LA
7
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill107%

1,055 pupils · 990 places

Pupils on roll
1,055
Boys / girls
585 / 470
School capacity
990
Capacity fill
1,055 / 990 (107%)
Free school meals
49%
FSM pupils
517
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Northern Education Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Mel Flynn

Location

Address
Lever Edge Lane
Postcode
BL3 3HH
Town
Bolton
County
Greater Manchester
Local authority
Bolton
District
Bolton
Constituency
Bolton South and Walkden
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bolton, Bolton, 1,055 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 49%.

Open schools in Bolton
149
Secondary schools in Bolton
19
Academies among open schools in Bolton
33% (49)
Open schools in BL3
42
Secondary in BL3
6
Open schools in Bolton LA
148
Secondary in Bolton LA
19

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BoltonNear BL3

  • King's Leadership Academy Bolton

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 3HL · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att847.0
    • P80.1
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence7.4%

    0.3 miles away

  • Bolton Muslim Girls School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 6TQ · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att857.3
    • P81.1
    • EM5+64%
    • Absence4.8%

    0.7 miles away

  • University Collegiate School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    University technical college · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 5AG · Bolton

    Ages 11–19

    • Att835.2
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+30%
    • Absence8.4%

    1.2 miles away

  • Ladybridge High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 4NG · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att842.6
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence7.4%

    1.4 miles away

  • Harper Green School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bolton · BL4 0DH · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att842.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+35%
    • Absence9.6%

    1.5 miles away

  • Star Salford Academy

    Free schools · Secondary

    Worsley · M28 0BB · Salford

    Ages 11–16

    • Absence10.1%
    • FSM61.4%
    • Demand1.18

    2.3 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Mel Flynn
Telephone
01204333222
Website
https://esa.northerneducationtrust.org/

Official links