Little Lever School, Bolton
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Little Lever School excels at teaching a well-designed, ambitious curriculum delivered by expert teachers who know their pupils well. The school provides outstanding support for all learners, especially those with special needs or facing disadvantages, helping them achieve above-average results in English and mathematics. Pupils thrive in a calm, welcoming environment where they feel safe and supported, with clear expectations and effective help when they need it.
Key Strengths
- Expert teachers provide clear explanations and carefully designed lessons that increase in complexity over time
- Strong progress in English and mathematics with recent grades significantly above national average
- Excellent support for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, helping them access the ambitious curriculum
- Safe, calm school environment with rare bullying and effective behaviour management
- Comprehensive careers programme helping pupils make informed choices about their future
Areas for Improvement
- Overall attendance rates have not been high enough, particularly for some pupils, despite improvement strategies in place
- Some pupils' barriers to learning are not consistently reduced, meaning they don't fully benefit from the school's offer
- Behaviour support strategies, while usually effective, sometimes don't help pupils manage their own behaviour independently enough
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are met and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
School musical, British Sign Language, just dance, knit and natter, student leadership council, local zoo visits, employer and college visitor events
Little Lever School is a well-led secondary school with a strong, ambitious curriculum and effective teaching that helps pupils achieve above national average grades in English and mathematics. Leaders have created a safe, calm learning environment where pupils are supported well, though attendance rates for some pupils need improvement.
At a Glance
29.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
24.2
Avg class size
43
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Latest from Little Lever School
From Little Lever School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
1,085 pupils
1,050 capacity
35 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Bolton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Bolton
Admissions Demand - Bolton
Places available
4,380
Applications
4,014
Got 1st preference
82.6%
Got preferred school
95.0%
Secondary admissions across Bolton (2025/26)
Inspection History(104)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
10.33848%
Overall absence
28.5076%
Persistent absence
1,119
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Little Lever School
Bowness Primary School
St Teresa's RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever
Mytham Primary School
All Saints CofE Primary School
Ladywood School
Masefield Primary School
Blackshaw Primary School
SS Osmund and Andrew's R.C. Primary School
St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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