Harwood Meadows Primary School
Orchard Gardens, Harwood, Bolton, BL2 3PSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Harwood Meadows Primary School is a primary school in Bolton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 63rd of 86 primary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in April 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 28 April 2026, report published 23 June 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Early years
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 April 2026
Harwood Meadows is a friendly and respectful school community. Pupils feel able to be themselves and they develop a secure sense of belonging during their time here. At the start of the day, staff warmly greet pupils and their families. Pupils enjoy attending this nurturing school and speak positively about the care and opportunities that are available to them. This helps them to feel safe. Children in the early years make a secure start to their education. Pupils are motivated by rewards such as the ‘golden book’ and the opportunity to share hot chocolate with the headteacher. Pupils attend school regularly and on time. They are well prepared for the next stages of their education. Pupils understand and live up to the school’s values, which underpin daily life. Consequently, the school is calm and purposeful. Pupils experience a curriculum that is well planned and taught. They build their knowledge well as they progress through the school. This equips pupils well for future learning. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged receive helpful support to access the curriculum. Pupils make friends quickly and generally play well together. Any bullying is rare. If it does happen, staff deal with concerns swiftly. Pupils typically show positive attitudes to learning. They generally behave well in class and around school, which contributes to a calm environment. Pupils have a wide range of opportunities to represent the school. They take part in musical experiences and sporting competitions. As a result, they develop confidence and independence over time. Older pupils value their residential visit to Yorkshire, which helps them to deepen friendships with their classmates.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently use the agreed teaching approaches to support pupils to achieve as well as they can in writing.
- Leaders, including governors, should ensure that they routinely evaluate the pupil premium strategy to ensure it reduces barriers and maximises impact for disadvantaged pupils to achieve well.
- Leaders should ensure that staff’s interactions with children in the early years during play activities help to extend and deepen their learning.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
29 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
224 pupils on roll, with places for 236
Schools near Harwood Meadows Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy Mill Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| St Brendan's RC Primary School, Harwood, Bolton | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
| Red Lane Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 63% met the expected standard |
| St Maxentius CofE Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| Christ Church Ainsworth Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HARWOOD MEADOWS COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Julian Bevan
- Phone
- 01204333702
- Address
- Orchard Gardens, Harwood, Bolton, BL2 3PS
- Local authority
- Bolton
- URN
- 137991
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.