Bolton's top schools as graded by Ofsted

The latest Ofsted data shows that 31 state schools in the area were graded outstanding, and 86 rated good as of December 31 - 91 per cent of the 129 which had received an inspection by this point.

This was up from 88 per cent in December 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

And it means the area's rate is above that across England, of 87 per cent.

The Bolton News has since done research on the Ofsted website and found 22 outstanding schools and 87 good schools which could mean some ratings may not have been updated on the website just yet.

Of the 117 schools in Bolton rated good or higher, three were nurseries, 91 were primary schools, and 13 secondary schools.

There were also seven special schools and three schools offering alternative provision graded good or outstanding.

Deputy Executive Cabinet Member for Children, Cllr Andy Morgan said: “This is obviously great news for the young children who attend these schools and an absolute credit to the teachers and support staff who work tirelessly to provide the best possible opportunities for the children they teach and everyone of them should feel proud.

"Our priority task now is to support those schools not achieving these ratings so all children across the borough are benefiting from receiving the best start in their young lives as possible, a great education.”

Bolton's outstanding schools named ­— as borough one of best in the country for top schools

Scroll down to see the lists of Bolton's outstanding and good schools based on Ofsted Website

The Department for Education said inspections provide an independent and rounded assessment of schools, which are helpful to both teachers and parents.

The proportion of schools rated good or outstanding nationally is the highest since comparable records began in 2010, but varied significantly between local authorities.

Inspectors judge schools on categories including the quality of teaching, personal development and welfare, the effectiveness of the leadership and pupils' achievements.

Schools requiring improvement will be inspected again within 30 months, while those deemed good or outstanding will usually be reviewed again once every four years.

However, the figures show that just 2,400 schools in England were inspected between 2019-20 and 2021-22 as a result of the pandemic – fewer than would be rated in a typical school year.

Outstanding schools; Sunninghill primary school, The Olive School and Pikes Lane Primary School

The Association of School and College Leaders said this was a temporary issue, but warned that the real problem is the inspection system itself.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL, said: “Schools in disadvantaged communities are more likely to receive negative ratings than those in affluent areas because it is often harder in these areas to recruit the range of staff needed to support pupils who may face significant challenges in their own lives."

He said it is a "vicious circle" where negative Ofsted ratings stigmatise schools and make improvement even more difficult.

He added: "The Government must reform the inspection system so it is more supportive and less punitive, improve education funding and work with the sector to boost teacher recruitment and retention."

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Ofsted is a bankrupt idea, long discredited by the profession as any sort of arbiter on schools.

"The inspectors are out of touch and the inspections punitive, giving a narrow view of what a school is achieving with its students.

"We are calling on Government to work with us and others to create a new approach to school and college evaluation which is supportive, effective and fair."

Outstanding Bolton primary, secondary and special schools:

• The Olive School
• Pikes Lane Primary School
• Sunning Hill Primary School
• Moorgate Primary School
• The Valley Community Primary School
• SS Simon and Jude CofE Primary School
• Eden Boys School
• St Pauls CofE Primary School
• St Columbas Primary School
• St Marys CofE Primary School
• Greenfold School
• Markland Hill Primary School
• Johnson Fold Community Primary School
• The Oaks Primary School
• St Peters CofE Primary School
• Bridgewater Primary School
• Walmsley CofE Primary School
• St Saviour CofE Primary School
• Sacred Heart CofE Primary School
• Eatock Primary School
• Rumworth School
• Greenfold School

Good Bolton primary, secondary and special schools:

• Essa Academy
• St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School
• Chorley New Road Primary
• Essa Primary School
• Bolton Parish Church CofE Primary School
• Gaskell Community Primary School
• St Matthews CofE Primary School
• Clarendon Primary School
• Bolton Islamic Girls School
• Gilnow Primary School
• Brownlow Fold Primary School
• Olive Tree Primary School
• St William of York Catholic Primary School
• St Thomas CofE Primary School
• Brandwood Primary School
• Oxford Grove Primary School
• St Jospehs RC Primary School
• St Ethelberts RC Primary School
• Haslam Park Primary School
• Devonshire Road Primary School
• St Michaels CofE Primary School
• Mount St Joseph High School
• St Thomas of Canterbury RC
• Leverhulme Community Primary School
• Church Road Primary School
• Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School
• Thornleigh Salesian College Secondary School
• SS Osmund and Adnrews RC Primary School
• Smithills School
• Red Lane Primary School
• Heathfield Primary School
• All Saints CofE Primary School
• Ladybridge High School
• Ladybridge Community Primary School
• Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
• Ferns Primary Academy
• Shaples Primary School
• Highfield Primary School
• Cherry Tree Primary School
• Little Lever School
• Bowness Primary School
• Blackshaw Primary School
• Beaumont Primary School
• St Bernards RC Primary School
• Highlawn Primary School
• Queensbridge Primary School
• St Teresa's RC Primary School
• Harwood Meadows Primary School
• St Matthews CofE Primary School
• St James CofE Primary School
• St Brendans RC Primary School
• Hardy Mill Primary School
• St John CofE Primary School
• St Andrews CofE Primary School
• Turton School
• Lostock Primary School
• Mytham Primary School
• St John the Evangelist RC Primary School
• Dukesgate Academy
• Wharton Primary School
• Kearlsey West Primary
• Christ Church Ainsworth CofE Primary School
• Eagley Infant School
• St Pauls Peel CofE Primary School
• Kearlsey Academy Secondary School
• St Edmunds RC Primary School
• St Stephens CofE Primary School
• St Thomas CofE Primary School
• St Andrews CofE Primary School
• Cams Lane Primary School
• Claypool Primary School
• Spindlepoint Primary School
• Egerton Primary School
• St Marys Roman Catholic Primary School
• The Gates Primary School
• Gorsefeild Primary School
• Westhoughton Primary School
• Washacre Primary School
• St Marys RC Primary School
• St Bartholomews CofE Primary School
• St Johns CofE Primary School
• Turton and Edgeworth CofE Primary School
• St James CofE Primary School
• Horwich Parish CofE Primary School
• Chaplefield Primary School
• Lever Park School
• Millwood Primary School
• Birtenshaw School
• Thomasson Memorial School