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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Improved significantlyURN 142232

Sharples School

Academy converter · Bolton · BL1 8SN

Ages 11–16 · 1,214 pupils · Bolton

School website

Ofsted

Improved significantly

Attainment 8

56.5

Overall absence

5.2%

Admissions demand

1.36 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Improved significantly

Inspection date

2025-02-05

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+0.86
−20+2
Attainment 856.5
English & maths grade 5+66%
English & maths grade 4+78%
EBacc entry20%

EBacc APS: 4.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence5.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)10.9%
Unauthorised2.3%
Authorised absence
2.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.3%
Enrolments in measure
1,231

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

1.36 · Competitive

1st preferences

328

Places offered

241

1st-preference offers

228

Total preferences (any rank)
793
Preferred offers (top 3)
241
Applications from outside LA
16
Offers to outside-LA applicants
2
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 fill112%

1,214 pupils · 1,080 places

Pupils on roll
1,214
Boys / girls
554 / 660
School capacity
1,080
Capacity fill
1,214 / 1,080 (112%)
Free school meals
27.5%
FSM pupils
333
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SHARPLES SCHOOL A MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
SHARPLES SCHOOL A MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Headteacher
Miss Caroline Molyneux

Location

Address
Hill Cot Road, Sharples
Postcode
BL1 8SN
Town
Bolton
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Bolton
District
Bolton
Constituency
Bolton North East
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 converter (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bolton, Bolton, 1,214 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 27.5%.

Open schools in Bolton
149
Secondary schools in Bolton
19
Academies among open schools in Bolton
33% (49)
Open schools in BL1
34
Secondary in BL1
4
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 BL1

  • Turton School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Bolton · BL7 9LT · Bolton

    Ages 11–18

    • Att848.7
    • P80.1
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence8.5%

    0.7 miles away

  • Canon Slade School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bolton · BL2 3BP · Bolton

    Ages 11–18

    • Att854.6
    • P80.3
    • EM5+65%
    • Absence5.3%

    0.7 miles away

  • Thornleigh Salesian College

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Bolton · BL1 6PQ · Bolton

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.8
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+45%
    • Absence9.4%

    0.9 miles away

  • Eden Boys' School, Bolton

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bolton · BL1 3QE · Bolton

    Ages 11–18

    • Att848.4
    • P80.5
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence4.6%

    1.1 miles away

  • Smithills School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bolton · BL1 6JS · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att839.5
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+30%
    • Absence10.2%

    1.4 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%

    2.4 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%

    2.9 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Miss Caroline Molyneux
Telephone
01204333253
Website
http://www.sharplesschool.co.uk/

Official links