Cherry Tree Primary School, Bolton

Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Cherry Tree Primary School on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious early years curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) quickly and accurately."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate and shared view of the school's strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils show genuine respect for others and a deep curiosity about the world beyond their own experience."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils are not as well prepared for their next stage of education as they could be."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Too many pupils do not attend school as regularly as they could."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should make sure that teachers rectify gaps in older pupils' writing skills so that pupils can communicate their knowledge effectively in writing"; "Leaders should make sure that their work with families improves the attendance of pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities".

In 2025, 53% of Year 6 pupils at Cherry Tree Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 47% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 78% in Bolton and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 75% in reading and 65% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 40 families put Cherry Tree Primary School as their first choice and 70 named it as one of their preferences, for 45 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Cherry Tree Primary School are Highfield Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 88% maths); Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 86% reading, 86% maths); Wharton Primary School (0.7 miles, 64% reading, 78% maths); and Lever Edge Primary Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 73% reading, 83% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Cherry Tree Primary School.

10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Cherry Tree Primary School (as of April 2026): 70% would recommend the school, 90% say their child is happy there and 0% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (0%).

47.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Moses Gate Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

21 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cherry Tree Primary School (outside), 50 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Cherry Tree Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Cherry Tree Primary School issued 38 suspensions, 9.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cherry Tree Primary School are St James's Church of England High School (0.6 miles), King's Leadership Academy Bolton (0.7 miles), Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy (0.7 miles) and Harper Green School (0.8 miles).