St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton
Shepherd Cross Street, Halliwell, Bolton, BL1 3EJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton is a primary school in Bolton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 45th of 86 primary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 11 September 2019, report published 7 October 2019
- 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 19 November 2024
Pupils are happy and settle well at this inviting and caring school. They enjoy seeing their friends and teachers each day. Pupils understand the importance of attending school regularly so that they can learn and prepare for their future lives. For example, they spoke of pursuing careers in sports, design, policing and law. The school has high aspirations for pupils' achievement. This includes for those who speak English as an additional language and for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Typically, pupils achieve well. They appreciate recognition for trying their best, such as by being chosen as 'golden child' and 'star of the week'. Pupils behave well. They enjoy chatting and playing with their friends during social times. Pupils have positive attitudes towards their learning. They know what the school expects of them in terms of their behaviour, such as to be kind and helpful to each other. The school provides well for pupils' wider development. Pupils particularly relish regular opportunities to learn outdoors, which help them to develop their self-confidence and teamwork skills. Trips, including to museums, places of worship, a computing centre and another local school, enhance the curriculum. Pupils enjoy participating in sports events, including in dance, lacrosse, hockey and swimming. They attend science, art, cooking, drumming and football clubs.
What the school should improve
- At times, staff do not provide clear explanations of new learning, and they do not check carefully enough what pupils have understood. This means that some pupils develop some misunderstandings and make mistakes that go unaddressed. The school should ensure that staff better support pupils to understand new content, to help them to know and remember more.
- The support for some pupils at an earlier stage of reading is not fully effective. This means that these pupils do not become fluent and accurate readers as quickly as they could. The school should support staff in delivering effective early reading strategies consistently well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
31 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
220 pupils on roll, with places for 240
Schools near St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Grove Primary School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 80% met the expected standard |
| Al-Huda Primary School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Brownlow Fold Primary School | 0.2 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 53% met the expected standard |
| St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell | 0.2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 50% met the expected standard |
| The Olive School, Bolton | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 95% 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 Katrina Balsamo
- Phone
- 01204333055
- Address
- Shepherd Cross Street, Halliwell, Bolton, BL1 3EJ
- Local authority
- Bolton
- URN
- 105223
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.