Secondary school

Essa Academy

  • Academy Sponsor Led
  • ages 11–16
  • Mixed
  • Bolton
  • BL3 3HH
  • Not applicable
Ofsted report card · inspected Jan 2026

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Results · 2024/25

Ranked 630 of 3,280 secondaries in England · top 20%

Top % in England, by year
2015/16: top 82%82%2016/17: top 85%2017/18: top 85%2018/19: top 60%2021/22: top 63%2022/23: top 51%2023/24: top 43%2024/25: top 20%No exams

Against North West

Attainment 853 · North West 44.49/10 Top 20%+41 pts since 21/22
Grade 5+ English and maths54% · North West 40%8/10 Above+30.6 pts since 21/22
EBacc point score4.43 · North West 3.828/10 Above+36.7 pts since 21/22
Progress 8 · 2023/24+0.73 · North West −0.1610/10 Top 10%+11.9 pts since 18/19
Show exam results by year

No exams 2019/20–21

Attainment 8
2015/16: 44.8 · 176 pupils · North West 49.62016/17: 39.4 · 140 pupils · North West 45.42017/18: 39 · 171 pupils · North West 45.052018/19: 44.4 · 167 pupils · North West 45.12021/22: 45.8 · 212 pupils · North West 46.92022/23: 45.7 · 211 pupils · North West 44.32023/24: 47.1 · 204 pupils · North West 442024/25: 53 · 200 pupils · North West 44.45339No exams
Grade 5+ English and maths
2016/17: 31% · 140 pupils · North West 37%2017/18: 37% · 171 pupils · North West 38%2018/19: 41% · 167 pupils · North West 38%2021/22: 45% · 212 pupils · North West 45%2022/23: 41% · 211 pupils · North West 39%2023/24: 40.2% · 204 pupils · North West 39.7%2024/25: 54% · 200 pupils · North West 40%54%31%No exams

Getting in · 2026

First-choice families who got in84.7%
188 of 222 who put it first2014 · 100.0%2026 · 84.7%
By preference
ChoiceAppliedOffered
1st222188
2nd20110
3rd1552

Last distance offered: London only

Inspections · 2006–2026

  • InclusionStrong
  • AchievementStrong
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong
  • Leadership and governanceStrong
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong
  • SafeguardingMet
  1. 2006Satisfactoryas predecessor
  2. 2011Good
  3. 2014Good
  4. 2018Requires improvement
  5. 2021Good
  6. 2026Lowest Strong

Pupils · 2024/25

On roll · Jan 20261,055
Free school meals (past 6 years)46.8%
First language not English57.8%
SEN support13.3%
EHC plan2.6%
Absence (sessions missed)7.6%
Persistently absent pupils23.2%

Girls 45%Boys 55%

106.6% full · 990 places

Parent View

As at 6 Apr 2026 · 26 responses (2.4% of pupils)

  • My child is happy at this school73.1% agree
  • My child feels safe at this school84.6% agree
  • The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved73.1% agree
  • Has your child been bullied at this school?19.2% yes
  • When the bullying took place the school dealt with it quickly and effectively · asked only of the 19.2% who said Yes above40% agree
  • Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities?23.1% yes
  • The school gives them the support they need to succeed · asked only of the 23.1% who said Yes above50% agree
  • The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know61.5% agree
  • When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly65.4% agree
  • When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart65.4% agree
  • The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well69.2% agree
  • Would you recommend this school to another parent?76.9% yes
  • Your overall view of the school52.9% positive

Workforce · 2025/26

Pupils per teacher22.4
Pupils per adult15.9
  • Classroom teachers 40
  • Leadership 7
  • Teaching assistants 12.4
  • Other support 23

Teachers 47 FTE · Whole workforce 82.3 · 86 people

Financials · 2024/25

Income per pupil£8,924
Spend per pupil£8,078
Staff spend per pupil£6,188
Reserve per pupil£14
  • +£15,000revenue reserve
  • +£913,000in-year balance

Grants £8,741 · self-generated £255 · premises £348 per pupil

Multi-academy trust: NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST (30 academies) · trust reserve £20,593,000 · Reserves in a multi-academy trust belong to the trust; this academy's figures include the share of central costs the trust gives it

Destinations · 2023/24 leavers

After Year 11

204 students, followed through 2024/25 · Provisional

  • Sustained91.2%
  • Education89.7%
  • Apprenticeship1.5%
  • Employment0%
  • Not sustained5.4%
  • Unknown3.4%