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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 140500

Smithills School

Academy converter · Bolton · BL1 6JS

Ages 11–16 · 1,203 pupils · Bolton

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

39.5

Overall absence

10.2%

Admissions demand

0.66 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-03-31

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

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 8-0.04
−20+2
Attainment 839.5
English & maths grade 5+30%
English & maths grade 4+51%
EBacc entry31%

EBacc APS: 3.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence10.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.5%
Unauthorised5.5%
Authorised absence
4.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,265

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

0.66 · Often has places

1st preferences

139

Places offered

252

1st-preference offers

139

Total preferences (any rank)
404
Preferred offers (top 3)
210
Applications from outside LA
2
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 fill96%

1,203 pupils · 1,250 places

Pupils on roll
1,203
Boys / girls
577 / 626
School capacity
1,250
Capacity fill
1,203 / 1,250 (96%)
Free school meals
41.8%
FSM pupils
503
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: THE BOLTON IMPACT TRUST
Academy trust
THE BOLTON IMPACT TRUST
Sponsor
Bolton Impact Trust
Headteacher
Ms Carolyn Dewse

Location

Address
Smithills Dean Road, Smithills School
Postcode
BL1 6JS
Town
Bolton
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Bolton
District
Bolton
Constituency
Bolton West
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, 1,203 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 41.8%.

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

  • 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%

    0.5 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%

    0.9 miles away

  • Sharples School

    Ofsted: Improved significantly

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bolton · BL1 8SN · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att856.5
    • P80.9
    • EM5+66%
    • Absence5.2%

    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%

    1.9 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%

    1.9 miles away

  • Turton School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Bolton · BL7 9LT · Bolton

    Ages 11–18

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

    2.1 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%

    2.3 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%

    2.4 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Carolyn Dewse
Telephone
01204842382
Website
http://www.smithillsschool.net/

Official links