Little Lever School
Church Street, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1BTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Little Lever School is a secondary school in Bolton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 9th of 19 secondary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in May 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 19 May 2026, report published 5 July 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Strong standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 May 2026
As pupils arrive at Little Lever, they are greeted warmly by supportive staff. Pupils have positive and respectful relationships with staff and each other. They find comfort in leaders' clear rules and routines. This helps pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to be safe. Bullying and unkind behaviour are rare. When it does happen, pupils know that staff will deal with it quickly and effectively. Pupils are proud to be part of this school community and appreciate the support that they receive. Pupils appreciate leaders' high expectations of them. They benefit from a well-taught and ambitious curriculum and lessons that challenge them appropriately. Teachers know their pupils well and provide more help when necessary. This means that pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, know more and remember more over time. Consequently, pupils gain the necessary qualifications to progress to their chosen destination after secondary school. Classrooms are calm and purposeful. This allows pupils to focus on their learning undisturbed. Most pupils attend regularly. However, some pupils' absence rates remain high. While this is improving, some pupils do not benefit from the consistent education that they should. These pupils also miss the wider opportunities that the school offers. Pupils enjoy the range of extra activities and opportunities on offer, such as 'just dance' and 'knit and natter'. Through these opportunities, pupils find new interests and hobbies. Some pupils also take on leadership responsibilities, for example being on the student leadership council. Pupils understand their role in creating a positive culture at the school.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that strategies are put in place to support pupils to sustain consistently high attendance rates and therefore benefit fully from the education that the school provides.
- Leaders should ensure that pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, develop the self-discipline and skills required to manage their own behaviours and emotions.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
203 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,085 pupils on roll, with places for 1,050
Schools near Little Lever School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harper Green School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 42.8 |
| Lord's School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 5.3 |
| Kearsley Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 51.8 |
| Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| Bolton Islamic Girls School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 53.1 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LEVER ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Dominic Mckeon
- Phone
- 01204333300
- Address
- Church Street, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1BT
- Local authority
- Bolton
- URN
- 142296
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.