St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton

Ofsted's report card from its 10 March 2026 inspection grades St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils attend school regularly because they know that learning is important."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have an accurate and detailed view of the quality of the curriculum and teaching across the school."

Early years - Strong standard. "Staff create a nurturing environment where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have an unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders and governors know the school in detail."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils' personal development is a strength of the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "The school's published results from national tests are below average."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their focus on improving achievement for all groups of pupils, striving to reach national expectations by the end of key stage 2".

In its own words: "I strongly encourage you to visit our school to experience at first hand the happiness and enthusiasm that runs throughout. At St Thomas' we believe that everyone has a light to shine."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, dance and art.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 9.15am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 78% in Bolton and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (67% in reading, 72% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 35 families put St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell as their first choice and 73 named it as one of their preferences, for 41 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 St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell are The Olive School, Bolton (0.2 miles, Outstanding, 98% reading, 98% maths); Brownlow Fold Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 67% reading, 63% maths); St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton (0.2 miles, Good, 71% reading, 74% maths); and Oxford Grove Primary School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 85% reading, 83% maths).

St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

15 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell (as of September 2026): 93% would recommend the school, 93% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

62.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (55%), White British (14%) and Black (12%).

In 2026, 19 pupils (5.2%) received SEN support and 10 (2.7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Hall i' th' Wood Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wordsworth Street (near), 150 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell 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, St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell issued 9 suspensions, 2.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell are Eden Boys' School, Bolton (0.3 miles); Thornleigh Salesian College (0.6 miles); Smithills School (0.7 miles); and Sharples School (1.3 miles).