BOLTON School has been recognised for helping young advance in society – no matter what their background.

The school was named a finalist in this year's UK Social Mobility Awards, which highlight people and organisation is advancing social mobility.

Philip Britton, Head of Foundation at Bolton School, said: ‘Providing social mobility is inter-twined with our history - it was Lord Leverhulme’s vision to offer an education for all capable children when he re-endowed the School in 1915.

"Last summer, 42 pupils from the Class of 2020 left having received bursarial assistance for their education.

"Thirty eight went on to university, 32 of whom secured places on courses at prestigious Russell Group institutions. Nineteen went on to study subjects in the medical sciences, including 12 pupils now studying medicine.

‘During the same academic year, the school community made pledges and gifts totalling £672,000 to the Bursary Fund for the next intake of students. This enabled 54 Y7 pupils to join the two Senior Schools in September. Overall, the School spent £2.89m on means-tested bursaries, supporting 350 – one in five – girls and boys across the senior schools."

Tunde Banjoko OBE, Founder of The UK Social Mobility Awards, added: ‘We are delighted that the UK Social Mobility Awards shows that there continues to be positive activity being conducted across the country, as corporate Britain comes together to drive forward social mobility. However, as much as has been done, we still have significant work to do, as when it comes to social mobility, there is no limit to better.’