Cumberland School
Cumberland School is an independent special school in Bolton for pupils aged 7 to 18. It has 85 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Cumberland School is Requires Improvement, from an inspection in September 2025. In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 7.5, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.
Ofsted inspection: September 2025. GCSE results: 2026.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 7-18 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Rivington Lane Rivington Bolton Lancashire BL6 7RX |
| Phone | 01204324446 |
| Reference Number | 135541 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 85 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 82.35%
Girls: 17.65% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Cumberland School demonstrates a mix of capabilities in its performance, having made significant strides in promoting positive relationships and personal development among pupils. The school offers a range of activities that provide students with opportunities to rebuild their confidence and engage in learning, making a significant impact on many who had previously experienced educational disruption. However, the overall quality of education is inconsistent and requires improvement, with noted gaps in curriculum delivery and assessment, particularly in certain subjects.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Requires Improvement |
| Last Report Date | 15 Jul 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 11 Dec 2024 | Additional inspection |
| 18 Jan 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 13 Dec 2018 | Additional inspection |
| 26 Jun 2018 | Standard inspection: |
| 16 Jun 2015 | Standard inspection: |
| 06 Mar 2012 | Standard inspection: |
Strengths
- The school maintains high expectations for all pupils.
- Pupils benefit from strong relationships with staff and a supportive learning environment.
- The school excels in personal development, helping pupils understand their emotions and develop resilience.
- The careers education programme effectively prepares pupils for their future steps.
- The focus on reading supports pupils who struggle with literacy.
Areas for Improvement
- The curriculum lacks breadth in some subjects, limiting educational opportunities.
- Inconsistent implementation and oversight of the curriculum limits learning progression.
- Pupils with SEND do not receive timely support for their cognition and learning needs.
Attainment 8 Score
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
- English
- Maths
- 3 subjects from qualifications that count towards the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), like sciences, language and history
- 3 more GCSE qualifications (including EBacc subjects) or technical awards from a list approved by the Department for Education
Each grade a pupil gets is assigned a point score from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest). These scores are added up, with English and maths counted twice.
| School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
GCSE Results
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 5.6% | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or A-C) | 5.6% | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
Attainment 8 Score
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
Sample
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See how Cumberland School ranks locally and nationally. Percentile rankings against every other school, historic result charts, admissions data and post-GCSE destinations are all included.
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Unlock for £9.99In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Cumberland School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).
Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.
| Name | Distance |
|
Beacon Primary School
Peter Martin Street, Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL6 7AL |
0.66 miles |
|
Horwich Parish CofE Primary School
Church Street, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6AA |
0.99 miles |
|
Rivington Foundation Primary School
Horrobin Lane, Rivington, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7SE |
1.1 miles |
|
St Catherine's CofE Primary School
Greenstone Avenue, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 5SJ |
1.17 miles |
|
St Mary's RC Primary School
Victoria Road, Horwich, St Mary's Rc Primary School, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6EP |
1.59 miles |
|
Chorley New Road Primary Academy
Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6EW |
1.63 miles |
|
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Anderton
Rothwell Road, Anderton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 9LZ |
1.72 miles |
|
Anderton Primary School
Babylon Lane, Adlington, Lancashire, PR6 9NN |
1.91 miles |
|
Blackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary School
Vicarage Road West, Blackrod, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 5DE |
2.01 miles |
|
Blackrod Primary School
Manchester Road, Blackrod, Manchester Road,, Blackrod, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 5SY |
2.04 miles |
|
Adlington St Paul's Church of England Primary School
Railway Road, Adlington, Chorley, PR6 9QZ |
2.05 miles |
|
Claypool Primary School
Salisbury Road, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6LN |
2.12 miles |
|
Adlington Primary School
Park Road, Adlington, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 4JA |
2.33 miles |
|
Turton Belmont Community Primary School
Ryecroft Lane, Belmont, Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 8AH |
3.04 miles |
|
St David Haigh and Aspull CofE Primary School
Copperas Lane, Haigh, Wigan, Lancashire, WN2 1PA |
3.05 miles |
|
Our Lady's RC Primary School Wigan
Holly Road, Aspull, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN2 1RU |
3.22 miles |
|
Aspull Church Primary School
Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan, Lancashire, WN2 1QT |
3.35 miles |
|
Johnson Fold Community Primary School
Worston Avenue, Johnson Fold, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 5UG |
3.41 miles |
|
Lostock Primary School
Glengarth Drive, Lostock, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 4PS |
3.48 miles |
|
St George's Church of England Primary School, Chorley
Carr Lane, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3JU |
3.53 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Rivington and Blackrod High School
Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7RU |
0.13 miles |
|
Lever Park School
Stocks Park Drive, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6DE |
1.23 miles |
|
St Joseph's RC High School
Sefton Lane, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6HW |
1.98 miles |
|
Albany Academy
Bolton Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3AY |
3.52 miles |
|
Holy Cross Catholic High School
Myles Standish Way, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3LS |
3.69 miles |
|
Mayfield School
Gloucester Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3HN |
4.01 miles |
|
Westmorland School
Weldbank Lane, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3NQ |
4.03 miles |
|
Smithills School
Smithills Dean Road, Smithills School, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 6JS |
4.06 miles |
|
Mayfield House School
1 Mayfield Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 0DG |
4.32 miles |
|
Rumworth School
Armadale Road, Ladybridge, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4TP |
4.36 miles |
|
Ladybridge High School
New York, Junction Road, Deane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4NG |
4.41 miles |
|
Thornleigh Salesian College
Sharples Park, Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 6PQ |
4.48 miles |
|
Southlands High School
Clover Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 2NJ |
4.51 miles |
|
Bolton School Girls' Division
Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4PB |
4.53 miles |
|
Westhoughton High School
Bolton Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 3BZ |
4.57 miles |
|
Bolton School Boys' Division
Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4PA |
4.68 miles |
|
Chorley Astley Park School
Harrington Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 1JZ |
4.69 miles |
|
My Oasis Therapeutic Alternative Provision
97 Heaton Street, Standish, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN6 0DA |
4.79 miles |
|
St Michael's Church of England High School
Astley Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 1RS |
4.85 miles |
|
Eden Boys' School, Bolton
Wolfenden Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 3QE |
4.91 miles |
All schools in Bolton · Lancashire local authority: places and applications
What is Cumberland School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Cumberland School is Requires Improvement, from an inspection in September 2025.
When was Cumberland School last inspected by Ofsted?
Cumberland School was last inspected in September 2025.
How many pupils does Cumberland School have?
Cumberland School has 85 pupils on roll.
What age range does Cumberland School cover?
Cumberland School for pupils aged 7 to 18.
What are Cumberland School's GCSE results?
In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 7.5, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.
Where is Cumberland School?
Cumberland School is at Rivington Lane, Rivington, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7RX.