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Secondary schools in Bolton, ranked

The 19 secondary schools here are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results. Progress 8 is suspended nationally for 2024/25 and 2025/26, so it cannot be used.

Exam results are one part of the picture, and rankings never include Ofsted judgements: inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared. Special schools and independent schools are not ranked, because their published figures do not compare fairly either. Each school's own page has its inspection history and context.

  1. 1
    Sharples School

    Academy converter

    55.6
    Attainment 8
  2. 2
    Bolton Muslim Girls School

    Academy converter

    54.7
    Attainment 8
  3. 3
    Canon Slade School

    Academy converter

    53.9
    Attainment 8
  4. 4
    53.5
    Attainment 8
  5. 5
    53.0
    Attainment 8
  6. 6
    Essa Academy

    Academy sponsor led

    53.0
    Attainment 8
  7. 7
    Kearsley Academy

    Academy sponsor led

    51.8
    Attainment 8
  8. 8
    49.2
    Attainment 8
  9. 9
    Little Lever School

    Academy converter

    46.2
    Attainment 8
  10. 10
    Thornleigh Salesian College

    Voluntary aided school

    45.7
    Attainment 8
  11. 11
    45.4
    Attainment 8
  12. 12
    St Joseph's RC High School

    Voluntary aided school

    44.8
    Attainment 8
  13. 13
    Westhoughton High School

    Community school

    44.4
    Attainment 8
  14. 14
    Turton School

    Community school

    43.7
    Attainment 8
  15. 15
    Harper Green School

    Academy converter

    42.8
    Attainment 8
  16. 16
    Ladybridge High School

    Community school

    41.7
    Attainment 8
  17. 17
    University Collegiate School

    University technical college

    36.7
    Attainment 8
  18. 18
    Smithills School

    Academy converter

    36.5
    Attainment 8
  19. 19
    Bolton St Catherine's Academy

    Academy converter

    34.3
    Attainment 8

Common questions

Which is the best secondary school in Bolton?
By 2024/25 exam results alone, Sharples School ranks first of 19 ranked secondary schools in Bolton, with an average Attainment 8 score of 55.6. Results reflect each school's cohort as well as its teaching, so treat the ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict.
How are schools in Bolton ranked?
Secondary schools are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results; Progress 8 is suspended nationally, so it cannot be used. Ofsted judgements are never part of the ranking, because inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared, and special and independent schools are not ranked because their published figures do not compare fairly.
How many secondary schools are ranked in Bolton?
19 secondary schools in Bolton published 2024/25 results and are ranked here. Schools without published results, special schools and independent schools are listed on the area's own page instead.

Exam results come from the Department for Education's school performance service and cover the 2024/25 academic year. Schools without published results for that year are not listed.