Sharples School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Hill Cot Road, Sharples, Bolton, BL1 8SNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Sharples School is a secondary school in Bolton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 4th of 19 secondary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2013.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 10 September 2013, report published 30 September 2013

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 January 2025

At Sharples school, pupils embody their school motto of 'Learn, Dream, Achieve'. They flourish in a successful and happy school community that supports them to be the very best that they can be. Pupils rise to the extremely high academic expectations that the school sets. Learning is central to all their experiences, and their engagement in lessons is exceptional. They are aspirational for themselves and others. The curriculum is expertly designed to meet pupils' needs and interests. Pupils thrive and achieve highly. Pupils consider it a privilege to be part of their school, where they feel safe and accepted. Their exemplary behaviour actively upholds and promotes the school's ethos. They behave with respect and proudly celebrate their own achievements as well as those of their peers. Pupils' learning and achievement are enriched by a wide range of experiences that support them to develop a sense of responsibility and confidence. For example, the 'Student Affairs Committee' regularly organises school and charity events. It actively instigates and contributes towards the school's aim to bring about positive changes for pupils.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

247 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score55.6

55.6, 9.5 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths61.9%

61.9%, 16.5 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths82.2%

82.2%, 17.4 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc29.1%

29.1%, 11.4 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.73

4.73, 0.64 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,214 pupils on roll, with places for 1,080

Eligible for free school meals27.6%

27.6%, 1.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language31.8%

31.8%, 10.2 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.7%

10.7%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.6%

4.6%, 1.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Sharples School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Turton School0.7 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 43.7
Canon Slade School0.7 milesOfsted judgements: GoodAttainment 8: 53.9
Thornleigh Salesian College0.9 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to goodAttainment 8: 45.7
Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 51.2
Eden Boys' School, Bolton1 mileOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 53.0

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
SHARPLES SCHOOL A MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Miss Caroline Molyneux
Address
Hill Cot Road, Sharples, Bolton, BL1 8SN
Local authority
Bolton
URN
142232

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.