Boltons CofE School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good

Bolton Low Houses, Wigton, CA7 8PAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Boltons CofE School is a primary school in Wigton for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 35th of 111 primary schools in Cumberland. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 3 June 2025, report published 8 July 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 June 2025

Pupils are very proud to attend this welcoming school. They describe it as being 'like a family' and speak highly of the bonds they have with staff and each other. Pupils say that staff's positivity, in turn, makes them feel happy at school. They know that staff will listen and help them to resolve any worries that they have. The school is a calm place where pupils behave well. Pupils of all ages are highly respectful of each other and towards staff. The school has high expectations of pupils' personal and academic achievement. Pupils achieve well and develop a broad body of knowledge. The school provides pupils with experiences that prepare them for life beyond school. Pupils visit locations of contrast to their local area, such as trips to cities, including London. They regularly go to the theatre and take part in outdoor experiences such as orienteering. Pupils develop their talents and interests through attending a range of clubs, including those for cooking, gardening and cricket. Pupils develop their leadership skills and become positive citizens. They proudly take on roles in the school council and eco club. Here, they fundraise for charities, develop environmental initiatives and lead social events for people in the local community.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, the learning activities that pupils complete do not consistently enable them to link and apply prior knowledge to new learning. This means that some pupils do not deepen their knowledge and skills as well as they could. The school should ensure that the curriculum delivery enables pupils to integrate new learning into their wider knowledge so that they develop a secure and deep understanding across all subjects.
  • The school's approach to teaching subject-specific vocabulary is in its infancy and is not fully embedded. Some pupils struggle to remember key vocabulary, which means they cannot use these words to explain their thinking or to deepen their understanding. The school should ensure that pupils consistently have opportunities to use and remember new vocabulary to support their learning across the curriculum.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

11 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths45%

45%, 17 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths18%

18%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score105

105, 1 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

86 pupils on roll, with places for 84

Eligible for free school meals3.5%

3.5%, 23 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.4%

17.4%, 2.6 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.3%

2.3%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Boltons CofE School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Wigton Nursery and Infant School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Thomlinson Junior School3 milesOfsted judgements: Good46% met the expected standard
St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good91% met the expected standard
Ireby CofE School3 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Blennerhasset School4 milesOfsted: Good29% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary controlled school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Amanda Pitcher
Address
Bolton Low Houses, Wigton, CA7 8PA
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
112245

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.