Rivington and Blackrod High School
Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7RUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Rivington and Blackrod High School is a secondary school in Bolton for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 8th of 19 secondary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 14 June 2023, report published 26 July 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 14 June 2023
Pupils feel safe and well supported at this warm and welcoming school. They are polite and well mannered. Pupils respond well to the high expectations that leaders have of their behaviour and achievement. They treat each other with dignity and respect. Pupils appreciate the positive relationships that they have with their teachers. Any rare incidents of bullying are dealt with swiftly and effectively by leaders. Pupils enjoy school and most pupils attend school regularly. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities. For instance, pupils enjoy taking part in clubs like yoga, drone design, strategy gaming and creative writing. Students in the sixth form inspire younger pupils through an impressive range of leadership opportunities. They take pride in leading school performances, events and clubs. Pupils relish the trips that help them to build on their knowledge of and interest in different subjects. This includes learning about glaciation in Iceland, the Holocaust in Poland and developing their spoken French in Paris. Pupils develop their wider understanding of the world through visits to the theatre to watch performances such as Othello, Wicked, A Christmas Carol and The Inspector Calls. Many pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. They also enjoy their skiing trip to Italy. Such activities expand pupils' interests and talents.
What the school should improve
- The strategies that are used to help foster pupils' enjoyment of reading are not as effective as they could be. Some pupils do not enjoy reading and are not reading widely or often. Leaders should ensure that effective strategies are in place to help promote reading for pleasure across all stages.
- The PSHE curriculum is not delivered as well as intended. This means that some pupils do not secure a meaningful understanding of how to keep healthy or be ready for life in modern Britain. Leaders should ensure that teachers are equipped with the appropriate time and training so that pupils receive a well-delivered PSHE curriculum.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
276 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
60 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,626 pupils on roll, with places for 1,888
Schools near Rivington and Blackrod High School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph's RC High School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 44.8 |
| Albany Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 43.7 |
| Holy Cross Catholic High School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 55.0 |
| Smithills School | 4 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 36.5 |
| Ladybridge High School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.7 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LEVERHULME ACADEMY CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND COMMUNITY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Paul Roach
- Phone
- 01204333266
- Address
- Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7RU
- Local authority
- Bolton
- URN
- 143773
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.