St Columba's RC Primary School
Ripley Street, Tonge Moor, Bolton, BL2 3AROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Columba's RC Primary School is a primary school in Bolton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 36th of 86 primary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 10 April 2024, report published 16 May 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 April 2024
Pupils are keen to help others to succeed. Through undertaking roles such as subject ambassadors, school councillors and prefects, pupils make meaningful contributions to the school. For example, reading ambassadors help children in the early years with their phonics reading. Prefects help to make social times a positive experience for their fellow pupils. Through the school's 'faith in action' initiatives, pupils proudly support charitable causes. Pupils enjoy the curriculum trips that are arranged for them. For example, they told inspectors about the geography fieldwork study that helped them to learn about how rivers are formed. Pupils spoke enthusiastically about the residential trip to experience outdoor activities. There are several extra-curricular clubs on offer, which some pupils access. These have recently included football, dance and choir club. The school has high ambitions for what pupils should learn. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), generally achieve well in most curriculum subjects. In recent times, pupils have made particularly strong progress in mathematics. Pupils conduct themselves impeccably at this school. They love to learn. Pupils are kind and friendly. They value the school's swift actions to deal with any minor disagreements. They get along well with each other and with their teachers. They are safe and happy.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, the school is still refining the curriculum to break down content into smaller, logical steps of knowledge. At times, pupils' knowledge in these subjects is not secure. The school should finalise its curriculum thinking so that staff have clearer guidance on what they should teach. It should also ensure that this work helps teachers to carry out more precise checks on what pupils have learned.
- Some of the school's actions to improve pupils' punctuality and attendance are not having the desired effect. Some pupils miss out on important learning because they are late to school or do not attend regularly. The school should review its approaches to removing the barriers that are preventing some pupils from attending school regularly and on time.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
29 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
235 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near St Columba's RC Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Hill Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Sharples Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
| St Maxentius CofE Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| St Paul's CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 79% met the expected standard |
| Tonge Moor Primary Academy | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 44% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sarah Deary
- Phone
- 01204333421
- Address
- Ripley Street, Tonge Moor, Bolton, BL2 3AR
- Local authority
- Bolton
- URN
- 105220
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.