The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted (2022).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 44.8 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in 2022
- This is a Roman Catholic school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
44.8
1.0 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
50%
8.0pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
41%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
95%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
87%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
3%
Employment
Directly into work
4%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
4%
Based on 203 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 13 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
22% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
1% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 19 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 86 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,051
- Capacity
- 100%
- FSM
- 21.3%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Bolton
- Head
- Mr A McCabe (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
10 official reports linked on this page, including 9 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Requires Improvement
December 2022 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2019 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Good
June 2015 | Full Inspection
Interim assessment
January 2013 | Interim assessment Interim assessment
Curriculum and development visit
June 2011 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
March 2010 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
September 2008 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
February 2007 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
September 2001 | Full Inspection
Location
Sefton Lane, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6HW
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmClaypool Primary School
Primary · 403m away
St Mary's RC Primary School
Primary · 651m away
Lever Park School
Special school · 1.2km away
Horwich Parish CofE Primary School
Primary · 1.6km away
St Catherine's CofE Primary School
Primary · 2.0km away
Beacon Primary School
Primary · 2.2km away
Lostock Primary School
Primary · 2.6km away
Questions parents ask
Is St Joseph's RC High School a selective school?
No. St Joseph's RC High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Joseph's RC High School's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's RC High School was rated Requires Improvement at its most recent inspection in March 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Joseph's RC High School?
St Joseph's RC High School currently has 1,051 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Joseph's RC High School take?
St Joseph's RC High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Joseph's RC High School?
St Joseph's RC High School is in Bolton, BL6 6HW, in the Bolton local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Joseph's RC High School have a sixth form?
No, St Joseph's RC High School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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