We have listed the 21 secondary schools in Bolton which are rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by the education watchdog. 

There are a wide array of schools across the borough, with 100 primaries and 30 secondaries. 

Of those 30 secondary schools, 21 have been given positive ratings by regulatory body Ofsted. 

 

What is the Ofsted grading?
 

There is a 4-point grading scale used for inspection judgements:

grade 1: outstanding

grade 2: good

grade 3: requires improvement

grade 4: inadequate

 

What does a school have to do to be Outstanding?
 

To reach an “outstanding” standard, schools have to receive an “outstanding” grade for all the criteria, “meeting each and every good criterion”, securely and consistently, among others.

Ofsted’s aim is to only name a school outstanding in a given area if they are truly performing exceptionally well and across the school. 

All other key judgements are likely to be outstanding.

In exceptional circumstances, one of the key judgements may be good, as long as there is convincing evidence that the school is improving this area sustainably and securely towards outstanding.

Typically this will mean meeting each and every one of the good criteria but falling short on the outstanding for that key judgement.

Safeguarding is effective. 

Read more: All the primary schools in Bolton rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted

Read more: School where children achieve ‘exceptionally well’ has a bright future ahead of it

Read more: Popular high school which pupils are ‘proud to be part of’ praised by Ofsted

 

The 'Outstanding' Secondary schools in Bolton

  • Rumworth School, Armadale Road, Ladybridge, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4TP - Latest report, May 15, 2024
  • Eden Boys' School, Wolfenden Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 3QE - Latest report, September 13, 2023

 

All of the 'Good' Secondary schools in Bolton

  • Bolton Sixth Form College, Town Centre Campus, Deane Road, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 5BU - Latest report, December 1, 2023
  • Bolton Islamic Girls School, Weston House, Weston Street, Bolton, BL3 2AW - Latest report, September 17, 2021
  • Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya, Keswick Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 8LX - Latest report, April 25, 2024
  • Lord's School, Brooklyn, Green Lane, Bolton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 2EF - Latest report, March 3, 2020
  • Thomasson Memorial School, Devonshire Road, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 4PJ - Latest report, May 16, 2024
  • Raise Education and Wellbeing School, 54-56 Holmeswood Road, Great Lever, Bolton, BL3 3HS - Latest report, June 19, 2023
  • King's Leadership Academy, Freshfield Avenue, Bolton, BL3 3HL - Latest report, November 28, 2023
  • Essa Academy, Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 3HH - Latest report, December 6, 2021
  • Thornleigh Salesian College, Sharples Park, Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 6PQ - Latest report, November 22, 2019
  • Harper Green School, Harper Green Road, Farnworth, Bolton, Lancashire, BL4 0DH - Latest report, March 9, 2023
  • Ladybridge High School, New York, Junction Road, Deane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4NG - Latest report, December 12, 2022
  • Little Lever School, Church Street, Little Lever, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 1BT - Latest report, May 19, 2022
  • St James' CofE High School, Lucas Road, Farnworth, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL4 9RU - Latest report, December 13, 2022 
  • Birtenshaw School, Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 9AB - Latest report, March 27, 2024
  • Turton School, Bromley Cross Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 9LT - Latest report, May 8, 2024
  • Kearsley Academy, Springfield Road, Kearsley, Bolton, Lancashire, BL4 8HY - Latest report, May 17, 2022
  • Sharples School, Hill Cot Road, Sharples, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 8SN - Latest report, May 8, 2019
  • Lever Park School, Stocks Park Drive, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6DE - June 21, 2024 - Latest report, June 21, 2024
  • Rivington and Blackrod High School, Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7RU - Latest report, July 27, 2023
  • Cumberland School, Rivington Lane, Rivington, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7RX - Latest report, March 4, 2022