Secondary school

Westhoughton High School

  • Community School
  • ages 11–16
  • Mixed
  • Bolton
  • BL5 3BZ
  • No sixth form
Ofsted report card · inspected Jan 2026

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Results · 2024/25

Ranked 1,873 of 3,280 secondaries in England · top 58%

Top % in England, by year
2015/16: top 41%41%2016/17: top 69%2017/18: top 61%2018/19: top 74%2021/22: top 82%2022/23: top 64%2023/24: top 63%2024/25: top 58%No exams

Against North WestArrows: North West rank change since 2021/22

Attainment 844.4 · North West 44.45/10 Middle+26.5 pts
Grade 5+ English and maths40.5% · North West 40%6/10 Middle+28.2 pts
EBacc point score3.62 · North West 3.824/10 Below+17.7 pts
Progress 8 · 2023/24-0.64 · North West −0.162/10 Well below North West
Show exam results by year

No exams 2019/20–21

Attainment 8
2015/16: 51.5 · 175 pupils · North West 49.62016/17: 42.8 · 167 pupils · North West 45.42017/18: 43.9 · 161 pupils · North West 45.052018/19: 41.8 · 164 pupils · North West 45.12021/22: 41.9 · 244 pupils · North West 46.92022/23: 43.3 · 247 pupils · North West 44.32023/24: 43.1 · 267 pupils · North West 442024/25: 44.4 · 257 pupils · North West 44.451.541.8No exams
Grade 5+ English and maths
2016/17: 38% · 167 pupils · North West 37%2017/18: 34% · 161 pupils · North West 38%2018/19: 38% · 164 pupils · North West 38%2021/22: 34% · 244 pupils · North West 45%2022/23: 41% · 247 pupils · North West 39%2023/24: 39% · 267 pupils · North West 39.7%2024/25: 40.5% · 257 pupils · North West 40%41%34%No exams

Getting in · 2026

First-choice families who got in100.0%
221 of 221 who put it first2014 · 100.0%2026 · 100.0%
By preference
ChoiceAppliedOffered
1st221221
2nd798
3rd694

Last distance offered: London only

Inspections · 2007–2026

  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourUrgent improvement
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected
  • SafeguardingMet
  1. 2007Satisfactory
  2. 2011Good
  3. 2013Requires improvement
  4. 2015Good
  5. 2021Remains Good
  6. 2023Requires improvement
  7. 2026Lowest Urgent improvement

Pupils · 2024/25

On roll · Jan 20261,342
Free school meals (past 6 years)24.5%
First language not English5.3%
SEN support9.3%
EHC plan2.2%
Absence (sessions missed)11.1%
Persistently absent pupils31.8%

Girls 48.1%Boys 51.9%

99.4% full · 1,350 places

Parent View

As at 6 Apr 2026 · 259 responses (19.4% of pupils)

  • My child is happy at this school66% agree
  • My child feels safe at this school68.3% agree
  • The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved57.1% agree
  • Has your child been bullied at this school?29.3% yes
  • When the bullying took place the school dealt with it quickly and effectively · asked only of the 29.3% who said Yes above34.2% agree
  • Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities?30.5% yes
  • The school gives them the support they need to succeed · asked only of the 30.5% who said Yes above51.9% agree
  • The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know71% agree
  • When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly · 11.6% had no concerns to raise59.4% agree
  • When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart63.3% agree
  • The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well63.7% agree
  • Would you recommend this school to another parent?69.9% yes
  • Your overall view of the school62.6% positive

Workforce · 2025/26

Pupils per teacher17.2
Pupils per adult11.8
  • Classroom teachers 55.9
  • Leadership 22
  • Teaching assistants 20.3
  • Other support 35.5

Teachers 77.9 FTE · Whole workforce 133.7 · 141 people

Financials · 2025/26

Income per pupil£7,514
Spend per pupil£7,648
Staff spend per pupil£6,276
Reserve per pupil£357
  • +£479,375revenue reserve
  • −£179,885in-year balance

Grants £7,487 · self-generated £71 · premises £416 per pupil

Destinations · 2023/24 leavers

After Year 11

267 students, followed through 2024/25 · Provisional

  • Sustained90.3%
  • Education82%
  • Apprenticeship6%
  • Employment2.2%
  • Not sustained6.7%
  • Unknown3%