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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 144046

St James's Church of England High School

Academy converter · Bolton · BL4 9RU

Ages 11–16 · 1,053 pupils · Bolton

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

47.9

Overall absence

6.3%

Admissions demand

1.81 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-11-02

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.07
−20+2
Attainment 847.9
English & maths grade 5+49%
English & maths grade 4+69%
EBacc entry30%

EBacc APS: 4.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence6.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.1%
Unauthorised1.8%
Authorised absence
4.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.3%
Enrolments in measure
1,063

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

1.81 · Competitive

1st preferences

358

Places offered

198

1st-preference offers

197

Total preferences (any rank)
816
Preferred offers (top 3)
198
Applications from outside LA
80
Offers to outside-LA applicants
25
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 fill100%

1,053 pupils · 1,050 places

Pupils on roll
1,053
Boys / girls
541 / 512
School capacity
1,050
Capacity fill
1,053 / 1,050 (100%)
Free school meals
20.1%
FSM pupils
212
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

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Manchester
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE BISHOP FRASER TRUST
Academy trust
THE BISHOP FRASER TRUST
Sponsor
The Bishop Fraser Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Catherine Anderson

Location

Address
Lucas Road, Farnworth
Postcode
BL4 9RU
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 converter (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bolton, Bolton, 1,053 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 20.1%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Manchester.

Open schools in Bolton
149
Secondary schools in Bolton
19
Academies among open schools in Bolton
33% (49)
Open schools in BL4
21
Secondary in BL4
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 BL4

  • Harper Green School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bolton · BL4 0DH · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

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

    0.4 miles away

  • 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%

    1.1 miles away

  • Star Salford Academy

    Free schools · Secondary

    Worsley · M28 0BB · Salford

    Ages 11–16

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

    1.3 miles away

  • Kearsley Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bolton · BL4 8HY · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att851.4
    • P80.6
    • EM5+57%
    • Absence9.1%

    1.4 miles away

  • Essa Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 3HH · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att847.1
    • P80.7
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence5.4%

    1.4 miles away

  • The Lowry Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Manchester · M28 0SY · Salford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.3
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+30%
    • Absence9.3%

    1.6 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%

    1.7 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Catherine Anderson
Telephone
01204333000
Website
http://www.st-james.bolton.sch.uk/

Official links