Located in Bolton, Smithills School is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Smithills School currently has around 1201 pupils on roll, which is about 96% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.7% boys and 51.3% girls. Around 40.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 10.2%. Persistent absence is recorded at 31.5%.
Pupil backgrounds are varied, with white british pupils forming the largest group at around 32.9%. pakistani pupils make up about 30.3% , followed by african at 10.5%
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Requires Improvement. This means the school has areas that require improvement. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 88% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (84%) , including 5% who stay in school sixth forms and 35% progressing to further education , while 2% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, BL1 6JS |
| Website: | http://www.smithillsschool.net/ |
| Telephone: | 01204842382 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Bolton |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Ms Carolyn Dewse |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 140500 |
Ofsted inspection date: 19/09/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1250 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1201 |
| Number of Boys: | 585 |
| Number of Girls: | 616 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 10.2% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 31.5% | 8.2% |
| White British | 32.90% | 395 |
| Pakistani | 30.30% | 364 |
| African | 10.50% | 126 |
| Indian | 7.60% | 91 |
| Other White | 4.40% | 53 |
| Other Asian | 3.70% | 45 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.70% | 32 |
| Other Mixed | 1.90% | 23 |
| White and Asian | 1.50% | 18 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 1.20% | 15 |
| White and Black African | 1.20% | 15 |
| Other Black | 0.60% | 7 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.50% | 6 |
| Chinese | 0.30% | 4 |
| Unclassified | 0.30% | 4 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.20% | 2 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Isaacs Nursery School Vernon Street , BL1 2XN | - not rated | 2,102 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Pikes Lane Nursery School Board Street , BL3 5EE | - not rated | 3,172 yd | Local authority nursery school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Peter's Smithills Dean Church of England Primary School Limefield Road , Smithills BL1 6LA | 3out of 4 | 535 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Peter's Smithills Dean CofE Primary School Limefield Road , Smithills BL1 6LA | - not rated | 535 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Church Road Primary School Captains Clough Road , BL1 5RU | 3out of 4 | 998 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Oldhams Primary School Selkirk Road , BL1 7BN | - not rated | 1,033 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton Shepherd Cross Street , Halliwell BL1 3EJ | 3out of 4 | 1,143 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithills School Smithills Dean Road , BL1 6JS | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Smithills School Smithills Dean Road , BL1 6JS | 2out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Thornleigh Salesian College Sharples Park , Astley Bridge BL1 6PQ | - not rated | 875 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Eden Boys' School, Bolton Wolfenden Street , BL1 3QE | 4out of 4 | 1,557 yd | Free schools | No | Boys | More About School |
| Sharples School Hill Cot Road , Sharples BL1 8SN | 3out of 4 | 2,447 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Bolton Sixth Form College Smithills Dean Road , BL1 6JT | - not rated | 128 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bolton Sixth Form College Town Centre Campus , Deane Road BL3 5BU | - not rated | 3,180 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bolton College Deane Road , BL3 5BG | - not rated | 3,275 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Challenge Pru Smithills Dean Road , BL1 6JT | 4out of 4 | 128 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Youth Challenge Pru Smithills Dean Road , BL1 6JT | - not rated | 128 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Compass Centre North Barlow Park Pavilion, Dunoon Drive , Astley Bridge BL1 6QY | - not rated | 880 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Starting Point Selkirk Road , BL1 7BN | - not rated | 1,004 yd | Pupil referral unit | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Al-Huda Primary School 3 Hennon Street , BL1 3EH | - not rated | 1,238 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.