What did Ofsted judge St Joseph's RC High School's quality of education to be?

Ofsted judged St Joseph's RC High School's quality of education as Good at its inspection in March 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend St Joseph's RC High School?

St Joseph's RC High School has 1,047 pupils on roll.

What ages does St Joseph's RC High School take?

St Joseph's RC High School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is St Joseph's RC High School located?

St Joseph's RC High School is located in Bolton, BL6 6HW, Bolton.

How do I apply to St Joseph's RC High School?

St Joseph's RC High School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

Does St Joseph's RC High School have a religious character?

Yes — St Joseph's RC High School has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How close do you need to live to get into St Joseph's RC High School?

On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at St Joseph's RC High School was 2.7 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.

How are Year 7 places decided at St Joseph's RC High School?

When St Joseph's RC High School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After Children — Looked After [See note (i)] Children who are, or were previously, in the care of the Local Authority; 2. Roman Catholic children in named parish communities — Roman Catholic children [See note (ii)] whose principal residential home address [See note (iii)] is in one of the parish communities [See note (iv)] named previously; 3. Roman Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Roman Catholic children whose principal residential home address is not in one of the parish communities named previously but who attend one of the associated primary schools, and 7 further criteria. The school offers 210 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school in miles. Distance will be measured in a straight line from the front door of the child's home address (including the community entrance to apartment blocks) to the main entrance of the school using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants where this distance would be the last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place. All the applicant names will be entered into a hat and the required number of names will be drawn out.

What is the largest ethnic background at St Joseph's RC High School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 75.9% of pupils at St Joseph's RC High School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

St Joseph's RC High School: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

How close did you need to live?

2.7miles

was the furthest place offered on offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7). That is how far the last place reached in ONE year — not a boundary, and not a guarantee. It moves with the number of applicants, so treat it as a guide rather than a line on a map.

Last distance offered at St Joseph's RC High School, year by year →

How places are decided at St Joseph's RC High School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked After Children — Looked After [See note (i)] Children who are, or were previously, in the care of the Local Authority.
2Roman Catholic children in named parish communities — Roman Catholic children [See note (ii)] whose principal residential home address [See note (iii)] is in one of the parish communities [See note (iv)] named previously.
3Roman Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Roman Catholic children whose principal residential home address is not in one of the parish communities named previously but who attend one of the associated primary schools.
4Roman Catholic children with sibling at the school — Roman Catholic children who have a brother or sister [See note (v)] attending the school at the time the admission would take effect.
5Other Roman Catholic children — Other Roman Catholic children.
6Children of staff — Children of staff (or where staff have parental responsibility) in either or both of the following circumstances: a) where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and/or b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
7Exceptional medical and/or social needs — Children with proven and exceptional medical and/or social needs where these needs can only be met by this school (see note vi).
8Non-Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Non-Catholic children attending one of the associated primary schools.
9Non-Catholic children with sibling at the school — Non Catholic children who have a brother or sister (see note v) attending the school at the time admission will take effect.
10Any other children — Any other children.

If two applications tie: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school in miles. Distance will be measured in a straight line from the front door of the child's home address (including the community entrance to apartment blocks) to the main entrance of the school using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants where this distance would be the last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place. All the applicant names will be entered into a hat and the required number of names will be drawn out.

The document header states 'Admissions for September 2027' but the body refers to 'Year 7 in September 2026' and closing date of '31st October 2026', suggesting some internal inconsistency. The PAN of 210 is stated for September 2027. Catechumens and members of Eastern Christian Churches are included within the Catholic definition and given priority over all other non-Catholic applicants (except looked after and previously looked after children).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

St Joseph's RC High School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge St Joseph's RC High School's quality of education to be?: Ofsted judged St Joseph's RC High School's quality of education as Good at its inspection in March 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend St Joseph's RC High School?: St Joseph's RC High School has 1,047 pupils on roll.
What ages does St Joseph's RC High School take?: St Joseph's RC High School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is St Joseph's RC High School located?: St Joseph's RC High School is located in Bolton, BL6 6HW, Bolton.
How do I apply to St Joseph's RC High School?: St Joseph's RC High School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
Does St Joseph's RC High School have a religious character?: Yes — St Joseph's RC High School has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How close do you need to live to get into St Joseph's RC High School?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at St Joseph's RC High School was 2.7 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at St Joseph's RC High School?: When St Joseph's RC High School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After Children — Looked After [See note (i)] Children who are, or were previously, in the care of the Local Authority; 2. Roman Catholic children in named parish communities — Roman Catholic children [See note (ii)] whose principal residential home address [See note (iii)] is in one of the parish communities [See note (iv)] named previously; 3. Roman Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Roman Catholic children whose principal residential home address is not in one of the parish communities named previously but who attend one of the associated primary schools, and 7 further criteria. The school offers 210 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school in miles. Distance will be measured in a straight line from the front door of the child's home address (including the community entrance to apartment blocks) to the main entrance of the school using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants where this distance would be the last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place. All the applicant names will be entered into a hat and the required number of names will be drawn out.
What is the largest ethnic background at St Joseph's RC High School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 75.9% of pupils at St Joseph's RC High School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Bolton Compare Bolton schools Best secondary schools in Bolton Faith schools in Bolton Bolton hub All Bolton schools Schools on map Admissions checker Faith school admissions guide Choosing sixth form guide Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

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Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

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Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

2.7miles

Last distance offered at St Joseph's RC High School, year by year →

How places are decided at St Joseph's RC High School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked After Children — Looked After [See note (i)] Children who are, or were previously, in the care of the Local Authority.
2Roman Catholic children in named parish communities — Roman Catholic children [See note (ii)] whose principal residential home address [See note (iii)] is in one of the parish communities [See note (iv)] named previously.
3Roman Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Roman Catholic children whose principal residential home address is not in one of the parish communities named previously but who attend one of the associated primary schools.
4Roman Catholic children with sibling at the school — Roman Catholic children who have a brother or sister [See note (v)] attending the school at the time the admission would take effect.
5Other Roman Catholic children — Other Roman Catholic children.
6Children of staff — Children of staff (or where staff have parental responsibility) in either or both of the following circumstances: a) where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and/or b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
7Exceptional medical and/or social needs — Children with proven and exceptional medical and/or social needs where these needs can only be met by this school (see note vi).
8Non-Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Non-Catholic children attending one of the associated primary schools.
9Non-Catholic children with sibling at the school — Non Catholic children who have a brother or sister (see note v) attending the school at the time admission will take effect.
10Any other children — Any other children.

St Joseph's RC High School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge St Joseph's RC High School's quality of education to be?: Ofsted judged St Joseph's RC High School's quality of education as Good at its inspection in March 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend St Joseph's RC High School?: St Joseph's RC High School has 1,047 pupils on roll.
What ages does St Joseph's RC High School take?: St Joseph's RC High School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is St Joseph's RC High School located?: St Joseph's RC High School is located in Bolton, BL6 6HW, Bolton.
How do I apply to St Joseph's RC High School?: St Joseph's RC High School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
Does St Joseph's RC High School have a religious character?: Yes — St Joseph's RC High School has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How close do you need to live to get into St Joseph's RC High School?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at St Joseph's RC High School was 2.7 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at St Joseph's RC High School?: When St Joseph's RC High School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After Children — Looked After [See note (i)] Children who are, or were previously, in the care of the Local Authority; 2. Roman Catholic children in named parish communities — Roman Catholic children [See note (ii)] whose principal residential home address [See note (iii)] is in one of the parish communities [See note (iv)] named previously; 3. Roman Catholic children attending associated primary schools — Roman Catholic children whose principal residential home address is not in one of the parish communities named previously but who attend one of the associated primary schools, and 7 further criteria. The school offers 210 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school in miles. Distance will be measured in a straight line from the front door of the child's home address (including the community entrance to apartment blocks) to the main entrance of the school using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants where this distance would be the last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place. All the applicant names will be entered into a hat and the required number of names will be drawn out.
What is the largest ethnic background at St Joseph's RC High School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 75.9% of pupils at St Joseph's RC High School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Explore nearby

See every school within walking distance, ranked by distance and inspection grade.

Schools near Horwich Parkway station

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School

Primary

Outstanding

St Mary's RC Primary School

Primary

Good

St William of York Roman Catholic Primary School

Primary

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

St Joseph's RC High School

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at St Joseph's RC High School

St Joseph's RC High School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Explore nearby

St Joseph's RC High School

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at St Joseph's RC High School

St Joseph's RC High School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Explore nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km