Most sought-after schools in Bolton

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	Moorgate Primary School Bolton, primary	2.46	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
2	Masefield Primary School Bolton, primary	2.07	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
3	Beaumont Primary School BOLTON, primary	1.87	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4	The Olive School, Bolton Bolton, primary	1.80	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
5	Eden Boys' School, Bolton Bolton, secondary	1.66	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
6	St James's Church of England High School Bolton, secondary	1.60	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Sharples School Bolton, secondary	1.46	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
8	Lostock Primary School Bolton, primary	1.37	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9	Bolton Parish Church, Church of England Primary School Bolton, primary	1.33	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
10	Heathfield Primary School Bolton, primary	1.33	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
11	St Bartholomew's CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	1.30	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
12	Bolton Muslim Girls School Bolton, secondary	1.29	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	Eatock Primary School Bolton, primary	1.27	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
14	Markland Hill Primary School Bolton, primary	1.26	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
15	Blackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary School Bolton, primary	1.21	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
16	Oxford Grove Primary School Bolton, primary	1.20	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
17	St Paul's CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge Bolton, primary	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
18	St Saviour CofE Primary School, Ringley Manchester, primary	1.20	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19	All Saints CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	1.17	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
20	The Olive Tree Primary School Bolton Bolton, primary	1.15	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
21	Queensbridge Primary School Bolton, primary	1.14	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
22	Sunning Hill Primary School Bolton, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
23	Essa Academy Bolton, secondary	1.11	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
24	St George's CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	1.10	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
25	The Valley Community Primary School Bolton, primary	1.08	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
26	Chorley New Road Primary Academy Bolton, primary	1.07	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
27	Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School Bolton, primary	1.07	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28	St Peter's Smithills Dean Church of England Primary School Bolton, primary	1.07	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
29	The Gates Primary School Bolton, primary	1.07	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
30	St Joseph's RC High School Bolton, secondary	1.06	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
31	Blackshaw Primary School Bolton, primary	1.04	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32	Spindle Point Primary School Bolton, primary	1.03	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
33	St Mary's RC Primary School Horwich, Bolton, primary	1.03	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
34	Rivington and Blackrod High School Bolton, secondary	1.01	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35	Bowness Primary School Bolton, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
36	Canon Slade School Bolton, secondary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
37	Church Road Primary School Bolton, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
38	Kearsley West Primary School Bolton, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
39	St Brendan's RC Primary School, Harwood, Bolton Bolton, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
40	St Peter's CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
41	Blackrod Primary School BOLTON, primary	0.98	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
42	Hardy Mill Primary School Bolton, primary	0.98	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
43	Gaskell Community Primary School Bolton, primary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
44	Prestolee Primary School Manchester, primary	0.97	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
45	Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School Bolton, primary	0.97	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
46	Turton School Bolton, secondary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
47	St William of York Roman Catholic Primary School Bolton, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
48	Walmsley CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.95	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
49	Eagley Infant School Bolton, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
50	Little Lever School Bolton, secondary	0.94	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
51	St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton Bolton, primary	0.94	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
52	Claypool Primary School Bolton, primary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
53	Ss Simon & Jude CofE Primary School, Bolton Bolton, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
54	St Bede Academy Bolton, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55	St Columba's RC Primary School Bolton, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
56	St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever Bolton, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
57	St Thomas CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
58	Thornleigh Salesian College Bolton, secondary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59	Harwood Meadows Primary School Bolton, primary	0.92	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
60	Highfield Primary School Bolton, primary	0.92	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
61	Ladybridge High School Bolton, secondary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
62	St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth Bolton, primary	0.92	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
63	Brandwood Primary School Bolton, primary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
64	High Lawn Primary School Bolton, primary	0.91	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
65	Lever Edge Primary Academy Bolton, primary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
66	Pikes Lane Primary School Bolton, primary	0.91	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
67	St Maxentius CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
68	Clarendon Primary School Bolton, primary	0.90	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
69	Mytham Primary School Bolton, primary	0.90	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
70	Red Lane Primary School Bolton, primary	0.90	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
71	St Andrew's CofE Primary School, Over Hulton Bolton, primary	0.90	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
72	St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy Bolton, primary	0.90	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	Tonge Moor Primary Academy Bolton, primary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
74	Bishop Bridgeman CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
75	Cherry Tree Primary School Bolton, primary	0.89	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
76	The Oaks Primary School Bolton, primary	0.87	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
77	Beacon Primary School Bolton, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
78	Devonshire Road Primary School Bolton, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
79	Kearsley Academy Bolton, secondary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
80	St Gregory's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Bolton, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
81	St John Church of England Primary School, Farnworth Bolton, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82	St Stephen and All Martyrs' CofE School, Lever Bridge Bolton, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
83	Westhoughton High School Bolton, secondary	0.86	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
84	St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Bolton, primary	0.85	2026	none held
85	St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell Bolton, primary	0.85	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
86	The Ferns Primary Academy Bolton, primary	0.85	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
87	St Bernard's RC Primary School, Bolton Bolton, primary	0.83	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
88	Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy Bolton, secondary	0.82	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
89	St Catherine's CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.82	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
90	Bolton St Catherine's Academy Bolton, all through	0.81	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
91	Essa Primary Academy BOLTON, primary	0.80	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	Ladybridge Community Primary School Bolton, primary	0.80	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
93	SS Osmund and Andrew's R.C. Primary School Bolton, primary	0.80	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
94	St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill Bolton, primary	0.80	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95	St Mary's CofE Primary School, Deane Bolton, primary	0.80	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
96	Leverhulme Community Primary School Bolton, primary	0.79	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
97	Sharples Primary School Bolton, primary	0.79	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
98	Gilnow Primary School Bolton, primary	0.78	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
99	Haslam Park Primary School Bolton, primary	0.78	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
100	University Collegiate School Bolton, secondary	0.78	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
101	St Thomas of Canterbury RC School Bolton, primary	0.77	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
102	Brownlow Fold Primary School Bolton, primary	0.76	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
103	Castle Hill Primary School Bolton, primary	0.76	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
104	St Stephen's CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.75	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
105	King's Leadership Academy Bolton Bolton, secondary	0.73	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
106	St John the Evangelist RC Primary School, Bromley Cross, Bolton Bolton, primary	0.73	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
107	Woodland Primary Academy Bolton, primary	0.73	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
108	Horwich Parish CofE Primary School Bolton, primary	0.72	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
109	Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School Bolton, primary	0.67	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
110	St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Bolton Bolton, primary	0.63	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
111	Smithills School Bolton, secondary	0.56	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
112	St Teresa's RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy Bolton, primary	0.56	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
113	Harper Green School Bolton, secondary	0.53	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
114	St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever Bolton, primary	0.33	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 114 schools in Bolton have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Bolton · How we compare schools.