EdStart Schools Bolton, Bolton
EdStart Schools Bolton is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Bolton.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
EdStart Schools Bolton in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to EdStart Schools Bolton are Birtenshaw College (0.5 miles, Requires improvement); LifeBridge ASEND (1.1 miles, Good); Lake House School (1.1 miles); and Raise Education and Wellbeing School (1.3 miles, Good).
Birtenshaw CollegeLifeBridge ASENDLake House SchoolRaise Education and Wellbeing School
Who goes there
In 2026, 50 pupils (80.6%) received SEN support and 12 (19.4%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Bolton Rail Station, about 300 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).
15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Orlando Street (adjacent), 50 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's August 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
EdStart Schools Bolton is specifically designed for young people with special educational needs, with a curriculum carefully tailored to their individual requirements. The school has invested in experienced staff who understand SEND, regular monitoring of pupil progress, and strong links with local support services. Parents will receive detailed termly reports on their child's progress, attendance and behaviour.
Key Strengths
- Well-designed curriculum tailored to meet individual needs of all pupils with SEND
- Strong emphasis on reading, writing, mathematics and personal development
- Experienced staff with special education backgrounds and access to professional development
- Comprehensive safeguarding and health and safety policies in place
- Well-equipped classrooms and social spaces including library and mentoring areas
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective - the school has suitable policies, trained designated safeguarding leaders, and a senior leader responsible for safeguarding with appropriate knowledge and experience.
Extracurricular Activities
Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, trips and visits to local places of interest
EdStart Schools Bolton is a new special school for pupils with SEND and EHC plans in key stages 3 and 4. The school is likely to meet all independent school standards when it opens.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with EdStart Schools Bolton
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 53
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 11
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 53 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 11 serious and 42 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
14 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Bolton is 14 (the median across 148 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
75%
Available places
62 pupils
83 places
21 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Bolton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bolton
Across Bolton council
Places available
4,385
Applications
3,868
Got 1st preference
87.1%
Got preferred school
96.8%
All secondary applications across Bolton council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
50
SEN Support
12
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
EdStart Schools Bolton is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
62
Total Pupils
33
Boys
29
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
EdStart Schools Bolton
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about EdStart Schools Bolton
How many pupils go to EdStart Schools Bolton?
EdStart Schools Bolton has around 62 pupils on roll.
Does EdStart Schools Bolton have specialist SEN provision?
EdStart Schools Bolton is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to EdStart Schools Bolton?
EdStart Schools Bolton is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near EdStart Schools Bolton?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 53 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 11 serious and 42 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 14 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Bolton is 14 (the median across 148 schools, same distance and years).
Where is EdStart Schools Bolton?
EdStart Schools Bolton is at Castle Hill Young Peoples Centre, Castleton Street, Off Tongue Moor Road, Bolton, BL2 2JW.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)