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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 105252

Westhoughton High School

Community school · Bolton · BL5 3BZ

Ages 11–16 · 1,342 pupils · Bolton

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

43.1

Overall absence

10.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-01-27

Category of concern

Requires significant improvement

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourUrgent improvement
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • 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 8-0.64
−20+2
Attainment 843.1
English & maths grade 5+39%
English & maths grade 4+59%
EBacc entry5%

EBacc APS: 3.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence10.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)30.7%
Unauthorised3.0%
Authorised absence
7.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,396

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill99%

1,342 pupils · 1,350 places

Pupils on roll
1,342
Boys / girls
714 / 628
School capacity
1,350
Capacity fill
1,342 / 1,350 (99%)
Free school meals
23%
FSM pupils
308
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Neil Coe

Location

Address
Bolton Road, Westhoughton
Postcode
BL5 3BZ
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 community school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bolton, Bolton, 1,342 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 23%.

Open schools in Bolton
149
Secondary schools in Bolton
19
Academies among open schools in Bolton
33% (49)
Open schools in BL5
10
Secondary in BL5
1
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 BL5

  • Ladybridge High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 4NG · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att842.6
    • P8-0.1
    • Absence7.4%

    2.1 miles away

  • Atherton High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Atherton · M46 0AY · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att840.7
    • P80.0
    • Absence9.2%

    2.1 miles away

  • Outwood Academy Hindley

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Wigan · WN2 4LG · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att839.8
    • P8-0.1
    • Absence10.6%

    2.2 miles away

  • The Westleigh School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Leigh · WN7 5NL · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att834.1
    • P8-0.8
    • Absence12.3%

    2.4 miles away

  • St Joseph's RC High School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Bolton · BL6 6HW · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att845.9
    • P8-0.1
    • Absence8.1%

    2.7 miles away

  • Fred Longworth High School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Manchester · M29 8JN · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att845.5
    • P8-0.3
    • Absence7.9%

    2.9 miles away

  • Essa Academy

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bolton · BL3 3HH · Bolton

    Ages 11–16

    • Att847.1
    • P80.7
    • Absence5.4%

    2.9 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Neil Coe
Telephone
01942814122
Website
http://www.westhoughton-high.org/

Official links