St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 6 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
St Thomas creates a special place where children feel genuinely cared for and thrive. Staff have excellent subject knowledge and adapt teaching skilfully to meet every child's needs, helping pupils make impressive progress. The school celebrates diversity, embraces different cultures and languages, and enriches learning through memorable experiences like the '11 before 11' programme.
Key Strengths
- Calm, welcoming school environment where pupils behave well and show respect for others
- Strong focus on communication and language development that benefits all pupils, especially those learning English as an additional language
- Inclusive approach that celebrates diversity and ensures all pupils feel they belong
- High-quality early years provision with clear expectations that give children a great start
- Effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs through well-planned strategies
Areas for Improvement
- Published national test results are below average, although pupils currently in school are making impressive progress from their starting points
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
11 before 11 programme (theatre visits, hiking), leadership roles (school ambassadors), let your light shine festival
St Thomas C of E Primary School is a nurturing school where every child is known, valued and empowered to thrive academically, socially and spiritually. The school consistently demonstrates strong standards across all areas with effective leadership and inclusive practices.
At a Glance
29.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 67% to 71%. Maths has remained stable at around 71%. Writing has improved from 49% to 57%.
Class Sizes
28.1
Avg class size
22.5
Infant (KS1)
7
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Social & online
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
100%
Over capacity
366 pupils
367 capacity
1 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Bolton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Bolton
Admissions Demand - Bolton
Places available
4,105
Applications
3,501
Got 1st preference
89.7%
Got preferred school
97.6%
Primary admissions across Bolton (2025/26)
Inspection History(9)
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
5.63629%
Overall absence
16.08392%
Persistent absence
286
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell
Nearby Schools
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