Bolton School Boys' Division

Since October 2021, Nic Ford BSc PGCE FCCT, former academic deputy since 2015 and before that, deputy head in Pleckgate High, Blackburn. From Brighton, where he studied at a local community college. Apprenticeship plasterer and decorator, returning

Admission via assessments in maths, English and NVR, plus formal interview and school report. Around a third of the cohort is made up of those moving up from juniors (entrance not guaranteed), the rest a mix from 60-ish local state and private

Around a quarter leave after year 11, mostly for vocational routes or other A level subjects, eg law and photography. Some relocate or want to shorten their commute. Over 80 per cent to university, half to Russell Group. Popular courses include

In 2025, 49 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 41 per cent A*/A at A level (69 per cent A*-B).

Wide and challenging curriculum from year 7, with languages a particular strength. French, German, Spanish, Russian, Latin and Greek, along with classics. German especially successful. Russian also popular, around 20 at GCSE. Other strengths,

Thirteen per cent of pupils are on the SEN register. Two EHCPs. Dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, ADHD and cognitive and sensory processing issues most common. One-to-one, two-to-one and small group work takes place in a large, dedicated classroom – all

Music has three large classrooms, each with a baby grand. Range of instruments on display including ukuleles, keyboards and drum kits (head reliving his youth?). Year 7 have lessons in one of the ‘endangered instruments’ of clarinet, saxophone,

Boys share the extensive 32 acres of fields and facilities with the girls. There is plenty of space to go around with football the pre-eminent sport, according to our guides. Cricket, rugby and athletics also thrive, as do hockey, basketball, darts

‘Excellent’ pastoral care, say parents. One described how his son suffered a serious injury and had been supported back into lessons, helped to catch up without any pressure - ‘fantastic’. In addition to form tutors and heads of year, there is an

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Extensive use of bursaries ensures this is more Bolton born-and-bred than Brideshead Revisited – and you get a sense of this local identity when talking to the boys. There is a northern edge that speaks of common sense and grit. Not blunt, but

A fifth of boys supported by bursaries, linked to academic performance from year 7 upwards. This can cover full fees. Scholarships, not means tested, are available for academic, sporting, musical or dramatic potential, up to £1,000 off fees.

The school talks of tradition, values and aspiration. But it was the mature, articulate, empathetic and impressive boys that we felt was the school’s trump card. The school’s holistic and social mobility ideology also stands out. As one mother put