Bolton College
| Type | General Further Education and Tertiary / Further education |
| Age Range | 16-99 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Deane Road Bolton Lancashire BL3 5BG |
| Reference Number | 130495 |
Bolton College has been recognized for its strong and expected performance across various domains, notably achieving the expected standards in adult learning and apprenticeships. The college has effective partnerships with local employers and stakeholders, enabling it to tailor its curriculum to meet regional skills needs. It has demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that students and apprentices receive appropriate support, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. However, there are significant areas for improvement, particularly regarding the inconsistent quality of teaching and assessment, notably for young learners, where leaders need to deepen their understanding of the educational standards and experiences provided.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Needs attention |
| > Leadership & Governance | Needs attention |
| > Achievement | Expected standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Expected standard |
| > Inclusion | Expected standard |
| > Participation & Development | Expected standard |
| > Contribution to Meeting Skills Needs | Expected standard |
| Last Report Date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2026 | Full inspection |
| 13 Nov 2024 | Monitoring visit |
| 28 Nov 2023 | Full inspection |
| 04 Nov 2020 | Monitoring visit |
| 07 Feb 2017 | Full inspection |
| 16 Mar 2015 | Full inspection |
| 10 May 2010 | Full inspection |
| 10 Dec 2008 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 28 Feb 2007 | Monitoring visit |
| 07 Nov 2005 | Full inspection |
| 11 Dec 2003 | Reinspection |
| 01 Apr 2003 | Reinspection |
| 29 Oct 2001 | Full inspection |
| 06 Apr 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Effective partnerships with local employers enhance curriculum relevance.
- High-quality resources support students' practical learning experiences.
- Strong focus on inclusivity and support for learners with high needs.
- Improvements noted in student achievement in vocational courses.
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent quality of teaching and support for young learners.
- Low attendance rates, particularly in tutorials.
- Not all students on vocational courses make sufficient progress.
- GCSE English and mathematics curriculums are not accessible for lower-achieving students.
| Name | Distance |
|
Pikes Lane Primary School
Gibraltar Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 5HU |
0.21 miles |
|
St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy
Pilkington Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 6HP |
0.29 miles |
|
Gilnow Primary School
Gilnow Gardens, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 4LG |
0.4 miles |
|
Clarendon Primary School
Recreation Street, Clarendon Primary School, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 6SN |
0.49 miles |
|
Sunning Hill Primary School
Goldsmith Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 6TR |
0.52 miles |
|
The Olive Tree Primary School Bolton
Adelaide Street, Daubhill, Adelaide House, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 3NY |
0.66 miles |
|
Bishop Bridgeman CofE Primary School
Rupert Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 6PY |
0.68 miles |
|
Brandwood Primary School
Brandwood Street, Brandwood Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4BG |
0.71 miles |
|
St Ethelbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Melbourne Road, Deane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 5RL |
0.72 miles |
|
Haslam Park Primary School
Wigan Road, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 5QL |
0.73 miles |
|
Gaskell Community Primary School
Thomas Holden Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 2QG |
0.75 miles |
|
Bolton School Infant & Nursery School
Chorley New Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 4PA |
0.76 miles |
|
St William of York Catholic Primary School
Nugent Road, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 3DE |
0.93 miles |
|
Devonshire Road Primary School
Devonshire Road, Heaton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 4ND |
1 miles |
|
Bolton Parish Church, Church of England Primary School
Chadwick Street, Bolton, BL2 1JN |
1.01 miles |
|
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Bolton
Kentford Road, Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 2JL |
1.01 miles |
|
Lever Edge Primary Academy
Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 3HP |
1.04 miles |
|
Ss Simon & Jude CofE Primary School, Bolton
Newport Road, Great Lever, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 2DT |
1.04 miles |
|
The Olive School, Bolton
Ashton House, Waterloo Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 8HT |
1.09 miles |
|
Brownlow Fold Primary School
Darley Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 3DX |
1.1 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
University Collegiate School
85 Deane Road, The Stoller Building, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 5AG |
0.01 miles |
|
Bolton Sixth Form College
Town Centre Campus, Deane Road, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 5BU |
0.21 miles |
|
Bolton Muslim Girls School
Swan Lane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 6TQ |
0.5 miles |
|
Bolton School Boys' Division
Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4PA |
0.64 miles |
|
EdStart Schools Bolton
67 Manchester Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL2 1ES |
0.74 miles |
|
Bolton School Girls' Division
Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4PB |
0.76 miles |
|
Bolton Islamic Girls School
Weston House, Weston Street, Bolton, BL3 2AW |
0.84 miles |
|
Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah
Willows Lane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4HE |
0.85 miles |
|
Raise Education and Wellbeing School
The Quest, Brownlow Way, Bolton, BL1 3UB |
1.08 miles |
|
Thomasson Memorial School
Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, BL3 3LA |
1.15 miles |
|
Lord's School
Brooklyn, Green Lane, Bolton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 2EF |
1.19 miles |
|
Essa Academy
Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 3HH |
1.2 miles |
|
King's Leadership Academy Bolton
Freshfield Avenue, Bolton, BL3 3HL |
1.25 miles |
|
Eden Boys' School, Bolton
Wolfenden Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 3QE |
1.35 miles |
|
Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy
Greenland Road, Bolton, BL4 0HT |
1.45 miles |
|
Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya
Keswick Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 8LX |
1.46 miles |
|
Rumworth School
Armadale Road, Ladybridge, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4TP |
1.52 miles |
|
Ladybridge High School
New York, Junction Road, Deane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4NG |
1.53 miles |
|
Smithills School
Smithills Dean Road, Smithills School, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 6JS |
1.86 miles |
|
Thornleigh Salesian College
Sharples Park, Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 6PQ |
1.94 miles |