Schools in postcode district BL1. Add your full home postcode below for distance filtering and a your neighbourhood comparison with the wider BL1 area.
📍Covers: Astley Bridge, Gaskell, Gilnow, Halliwell, Heaton, Johnson Fold, Park, Queens Park & Central, Sharples, Smithills, and 1 more area
Add your home postcode in the green box below. Until then, distances use the centre of BL1. The list starts at 3 miles — you can change that. Not an official school catchment.
26state-funded schools in BL1, Bolton(+9 independent, fees usually apply; +3 independent special, usually LA-funded; within 3 miles, including neighbouring districts)
20Primary
4Secondary
2Other
12Independent
2024–25DfE & Ofsted
📊 Neighbourhood & area context
The figures below use three different geographies. Your neighbourhood appears when you add your full postcode. BL1 covers the schools and averages on this page. Bolton is the whole council area for census figures, which may not match your street. Estimated crime uses that council's population but is scaled by deprivation near schools in BL1, so it can differ from other districts in the same council. We only show statistics we have for this district.
Area snapshot for BL1
Crime, deprivation near local schools, and Ofsted outcomes for schools in BL1, each shown separately. Estimated crime is scaled by deprivation near schools in this postcode district. Deprivation and school inspections also relate to this district. We do not give the area an overall score.
CrimeLikely above England average160.7 crimes per 1,000 residents · ~last 12 monthsIndicative for BL1 (deprivation near schools here; uses Bolton population)
Deprivation near schoolsMore deprived than average for EnglandIMD band 2 of 10 nationallyNeighbourhoods around schools in BL1
School inspectionsGenerally Good9 of 10 graded Good or Outstanding (33 schools in BL1)Schools in postcode district BL1
Add your full home postcode in the green box above to compare your street with BL1 and Bolton.
More local context
House prices, flood risk, broadband and transport for this postcode district, in addition to the snapshot above.
Typical house prices£200,491 (+4.7% year on year)Postcode district BL1 (where available)
Flood riskLowPostcode district BL1
BroadbandGigabit available (92%+ premises, 300+ Mbps)Postcode district BL1
Postcode district BL1
Schools and other averages for postcode district BL1. This matches the map and school list before you change the distance filter.
Schools in district
26 (20 primary, 4 secondary)
Average attendance
96%
Average free school meals
31.4%
Average SEN
22.7%
Average EAL
40.5%
Deprivation around local schools
More deprived than average for England
Average house price
£200,491 (+4.7% year on year)
Flood risk
Low
Broadband
Gigabit available (92%+ premises, 300+ Mbps)
Green space
Good – parks and playing fields within walking distance
Council tax
Typical band A–B
Wider area: Bolton
Census and crime for the whole of Bolton. These figures are council-wide and are not broken down to your village or street.
Population
295,961
Households
112,596
Aged under 18
24.1%
Aged 16–64 (approx.)
58.8%
Aged 65+
17.1%
Ethnicity
White 72%, Asian 20%, Black 4%
Crimes (estimated)
47,561
Crimes per 1,000 (estimated)
160.7Above national average
About these figures: School statistics mostly 2024–25. Pipeline checked Sept 2026. Wider-area lines use Census 2021 for Bolton. Crime figures are rough estimates for BL1: national rates scaled by deprivation near schools here (using Bolton population), not police records for your street. Use the (i) on each row for source and geography. Full methodology · Data updates
📍Map of schools in this area
The map shows 33 schools in postcode district BL1. Numbered circles group nearby schools — click to zoom in. Use the list beside the map, a pin, or Show on map on a school card below.
Map key (phases, Ofsted, markers)
Pin colour shows school phase. Letters on pins: P primary, S secondary. Ofsted and admissions are on each school card below.
School phase
Primary (P)
Secondary (S)
District centre
12Numbered circles group nearby schools — click to zoom in
Neighbouring-district schools are labelled in the list and popups
📏How far from the BL1 centre?
Distances are from the centre of BL1, not your door. Pick a radius to control which schools appear in the list below. Only schools whose postcode is in BL1 are included. Add your full home postcode above for distances from your address (and to search neighbouring districts).
🎯 Show schools within:
3 miles is selected by default. Add your home postcode at the top to measure from your address instead of the district centre. Try 1 mile or 1.5 miles for a shorter list, 3 miles for a wider search, or All in district for every BL1 school regardless of distance. Straight-line distance only — not walking, driving, or an official catchment area.
Common questions in this area
📋Usually oversubscribed near here?
In BL1, 15 of 21 schools with admissions data are marked as usually oversubscribed on their cards. That is a historic demand signal — not a guarantee you will or will not get a place. Always check the local authority admissions rules and the school’s published PAN.
🚶How far is the school run?
Add your home postcode at the top of the page to see distances from your door. Until then, distances use BL1 centre. All figures are straight-line miles — not walking or driving time, and not catchment areas.
🔄What changed recently?
School and area figures come from open government releases (mostly 2024/25 where published). 29 schools here have a last inspection date on their cards; 6 show a plain-English note when Ofsted published area judgements without an overall grade.
Latest visit (May 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — achievement expected standard; inclusion, curriculum and teaching, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance and early years strong standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Apr 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance and early years expected standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Feb 2025): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years good. See the full Ofsted report.
Smithills Dean Road, Smithills School, Bolton BL1 6JS
Type
Academy converter
Age range
11–16
Trust
THE BOLTON IMPACT TRUST
Ofsted
Requires improvement
Latest visit (Jun 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — curriculum and teaching, achievement, personal development and wellbeing and leadership and governance needs attention; inclusion and attendance and behaviour expected standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Nov 2024): no overall grade — quality of education and leadership and management require improvement; behaviour and attitudes and personal development good. See the full Ofsted report.
FORWARD AS ONE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Ofsted
Area judgements
New inspection format: no single overall grade.
Latest visit (Nov 2024): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years outstanding. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Feb 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — curriculum and teaching and achievement needs attention; inclusion, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance and early years expected standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Nov 2024): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years good. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Dec 2024): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management and early years good; personal development outstanding. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Jan 2025): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years outstanding. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (May 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — achievement expected standard; inclusion, curriculum and teaching, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance and early years strong standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Apr 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance and early years expected standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Feb 2025): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years good. See the full Ofsted report.
FORWARD AS ONE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Ofsted
Area judgements
New inspection format: no single overall grade.
Latest visit (Nov 2024): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years outstanding. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Feb 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — curriculum and teaching and achievement needs attention; inclusion, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance and early years expected standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Nov 2024): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years good. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Dec 2024): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management and early years good; personal development outstanding. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Jan 2025): no overall grade — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years outstanding. See the full Ofsted report.
Smithills Dean Road, Smithills School, Bolton BL1 6JS
Type
Academy converter
Age range
11–16
Trust
THE BOLTON IMPACT TRUST
Ofsted
Requires improvement
Latest visit (Jun 2026): renewed Ofsted format (no single overall grade) — curriculum and teaching, achievement, personal development and wellbeing and leadership and governance needs attention; inclusion and attendance and behaviour expected standard. See the full Ofsted report.
Latest visit (Nov 2024): no overall grade — quality of education and leadership and management require improvement; behaviour and attitudes and personal development good. See the full Ofsted report.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4PA
Type
Other independent school
Age range
7–18
Inspection
ISI
Usually inspected by ISI. No Ofsted overall grade on file here.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4PB
Type
Other independent school
Age range
7–18
Inspection
ISI
Usually inspected by ISI. No Ofsted overall grade on file here.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4PA
Type
Other independent school
Age range
0–7
Inspection
ISI
Usually inspected by ISI. No Ofsted overall grade on file here.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
425 Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 5DH
Type
Other independent school
Age range
2–11
Inspection
ISI
Usually inspected by ISI. No Ofsted overall grade on file here.
Independent special · usually LA-fundedThis is an independent special school. Places are usually arranged and funded by the local authority for pupils with an EHCP, not by parental day fees. Contact the school and your council’s SEN team.
Castle Hill Young Peoples Centre, Castleton Street, Off Tongue Moor Road, Bolton BL2 2JW
Type
Other independent special school
Age range
11–16
Inspection
ISI / Ofsted
May be Ofsted or ISI. No Ofsted overall grade on file here.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Independent special · usually LA-fundedThis is an independent special school. Places are usually arranged and funded by the local authority for pupils with an EHCP, not by parental day fees. Contact the school and your council’s SEN team.
Independent · fees applyThis is an independent school. Fees usually apply, and admissions are handled by the school, not your local authority. Association schools are usually inspected by ISI rather than Ofsted.
Independent special · usually LA-fundedThis is an independent special school. Places are usually arranged and funded by the local authority for pupils with an EHCP, not by parental day fees. Contact the school and your council’s SEN team.
How many schools are in the BL1 postcode district?
We list 26 state-funded schools whose address postcode starts with BL1: 20 primary, 4 secondary, and 2 other phases. We also list 9 independent (fees usually apply) and 3 independent special (usually local-authority funded via an EHCP), clearly labelled on each card. That independent total includes schools from neighbouring postcode districts within about 3 miles of the BL1 centre.
What areas does BL1 cover?
Postcode district BL1 spans Astley Bridge, Gaskell, Gilnow, Halliwell, Heaton, Johnson Fold, Park, Queens Park & Central, Sharples, Smithills, and Smithills School. Exact boundaries follow Royal Mail outward codes — use the map and school addresses for a specific street.
What are Ofsted ratings like for schools in BL1?
Among state-funded schools on this page: 2 Outstanding, 4 Good, 1 Requires improvement, and 19 on the new inspection format (area judgements only). Grades are the latest published overall effectiveness or monitoring outcome — always check the full report on Ofsted’s site.
What is school attendance like in BL1?
Across state-funded schools here with published absence data, mean attendance is about 96% (2024–25). Individual schools vary — see each card.
Are BL1 schools hard to get into?
Of state-funded schools with an admissions label here: 15 usually oversubscribed, 2 often have places, 4 about average. This is a guide only — check your council’s admissions booklet.
📖 Guide to school and area statistics
What the numbers on this page for BL1 mean. Area rows may still show (i) for data source and geography.
School listings
What you see on each school card
Only fields that appear on at least one school on this page are listed.
School type
How the school is run. For example academy, council-maintained, voluntary aided or free school.
Trust
The multi-academy trust or sponsor running the school, where it is an academy.
Age range
Year groups on roll. For example 4–11 for primary, or 11–18 with sixth form.
Ofsted
Latest published Ofsted overall grade and date where we have them, plus a link to the Ofsted reports site. Fee-paying association independent schools are usually inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) instead: we link to ISI reports and do not invent an Ofsted-style grade. Non-association independents inspected by Ofsted show the same Ofsted grades and report link when published in Ofsted’s open management information.
Straight-line miles
Distance as the crow flies from your home postcode when you have entered one, otherwise from the middle of this district. Not walking or driving time.
Walking, cycling and park-and-stride hints
Rough bands from straight-line miles: about 1 mile or less may suit walking; about 1–2.5 miles we show cycling and park-and-stride; over about 2.5 miles park-and-stride only. Not checked routes or journey times.
Pupils
Number of pupils on roll from published school census data.
Free school meals
Pupils eligible for free school meals. Often used as one indicator of economic disadvantage in the catchment. Useful context, not a comment on pupils or families.
SEN
Share of pupils with SEN support or an EHC plan. A higher figure can reflect inclusive admissions and experience, or more demand on staff. Check what is on site and talk to the SENCO.
SEN provision
Extra on-site support such as a resourced provision or SEN unit.
English as an additional language (EAL)
Pupils whose first language is not English. Many schools support this well; if English at home matters to you, ask how beginners are taught in class. Not a measure of overall quality.
Attendance
Share of possible sessions attended. Higher is better.
Persistent absence
Share of pupils missing 10% or more of sessions. Lower is better.
Admissions pressure
Indicative label from recent applications versus places — oversubscribed, about average or often has spaces.
Attainment
Primary: share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (Key Stage 2). Secondary: Progress 8. A dash means nothing was published for that school.
Attainment vs local
Compares each school’s headline to others of the same phase on this page. Above, below or about average for the district.
Area overview
What you see in the area overview
Matches the snapshot and tables below: your postcode, this district, then the wider council area.
Area snapshot
Estimated crime (national rates scaled by deprivation near schools in this postcode district), deprivation near those schools, and Ofsted outcomes for schools here. Shown separately, not as one overall area mark.
More local context
House prices, flood risk, broadband and transport for this postcode district where we have them, alongside the snapshot.
Schools in district
How many schools are in this postcode district, split by primary and secondary.
Average attendance
Mean attendance across schools here with published absence data.
Average free school meals
Mean free school meals eligibility across schools here with published data.
Average SEN
Mean SEN percentage across schools here with published data.
Average EAL
Mean English as an additional language percentage where published.
Deprivation
How deprived neighbourhoods around schools here are compared with England (official deprivation index, shown as bands 1–10 where 1 is most deprived and 10 is least deprived).
Average house price
Typical sold prices for this postcode district where we have them. Street-by-street prices vary.
Flood risk
Indicative summary. Check Environment Agency maps for a specific address.
Broadband
General picture of speeds and availability. Check with providers at your address.
Green space
Brief summary of access to parks or countryside nearby.
Council tax
Typical band for the area. Your exact band depends on the property.
Your home neighbourhood
When you enter your full home postcode, we compare deprivation for your small area with the typical area around schools in this district.
Population, households, ethnicity and age
Census figures for the local council area, not your street or this postcode district alone.
Crime figures
Often a rough estimate: national rates scaled by deprivation near schools in this postcode district (using council population). Not police records for your street. Rates can differ between districts in the same council.
Using this page
Using this page
Tools on this page for narrowing schools and understanding distances.
Distance filter
Controls which schools appear in the list — 1, 1.5, 2 or 3 miles, or every school in this district. Not an admissions catchment.
About these figures
School and Ofsted data from official releases. The area overview splits postcode-district figures from wider council context, with dates at the bottom of that panel.
