Bowness Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Church Street, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1BTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Bowness Primary School is a primary school in Bolton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 13th of 86 primary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2018.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 2 October 2018, report published 4 November 2018

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 July 2023

Bowness Primary School is a warm and welcoming school. Pupils told inspectors that they value being a member of the 'Bowness family'. They treat each other with kindness and respect. Pupils behave well. They are confident to report any problems to staff. Staff tackle any issues that pupils may have, including bullying, swiftly and effectively. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe in school. Leaders expect all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to work hard and to do their best. Staff provide the help that pupils need to achieve well. Pupils said that they are proud when their achievement is celebrated, for example in assemblies or when their best work is displayed around school. Pupils benefit from a range of excursions throughout the year that enhance their learning and support their social and cultural development. For example, pupils in key stage 2 visited a catapult-building workshop that linked to their work in design and technology. Children in the early years visited a farm when learning about animals. Pupils across the school take part in a wide variety of clubs, which enables them to develop their hobbies and interests. Older pupils support the school community by taking on leadership roles as prefects, librarians and members of the faith council.

What the school should improve

  • Some pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should. These pupils sometimes miss out on important learning. Leaders and trustees should ensure that they have effective strategies in place to improve these pupils' rates of attendance.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

14 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths86%

86%, 24 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths14%

14%, 6 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score110

110, 4 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score110

110, 5 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

129 pupils on roll, with places for 156

Eligible for free school meals40.3%

40.3%, 13.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language15.5%

15.5%, 6.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support22.5%

22.5%, 7.7 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan8.5%

8.5%, 2.5 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Bowness Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Teresa's RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy0.2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Little Lever0.3 milesOfsted: Good42% met the expected standard
Mytham Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good56% met the expected standard
Masefield Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good84% met the expected standard
All Saints CofE Primary School0.8 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard66% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
PRESTOLEE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Miss Sophie Wright
Address
Church Street, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1BT
Local authority
Bolton
URN
142030

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.