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Bolton School

Bolton School is an independent co-educational school in Bolton, Greater Manchester, educating around 2,200 pupils aged 11 to 18. Entrance is by the school's own 11+ examinations, usually in English and mathematics, together with an interview. The school is organised in two single-sex divisions — a Boys' Division and a Girls' Division — which share a campus and facilities.

RegionNorth West
AdmissionsSchool admissions page

The exam

Athena holds admission-route records for Bolton School. They are shown by entry cycle below; where the provider changes between cycles, each cycle keeps its own recorded exam.

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Key dates & preparation

2028 entry

Test: January of Year 6 — the school’s own examination day (a few schools test in November or December of Year 6)

Results: Outcomes follow the school’s published timetable, typically in the spring term of Year 6

Offers: February of Year 6 — the school publishes its offers to its own timetable (London day schools cluster around a mid-February offer point)

When to start preparing: Start preparing in the autumn term of Year 5 (the standing rule: about 18 months before the test).

General guidance: this follows the rule of thumb of starting about 18 months before the test. It is not the school's own published advice.

Source: official admissions information · checked 2026-10-28

2027 entry

Test: January of Year 6 — the school’s own examination day (a few schools test in November or December of Year 6)

Results: Outcomes follow the school’s published timetable, typically in the spring term of Year 6

Offers: February of Year 6 — the school publishes its offers to its own timetable (London day schools cluster around a mid-February offer point)

When to start preparing: Start preparing in the autumn term of Year 5 (the standing rule: about 18 months before the test).

General guidance: this follows the rule of thumb of starting about 18 months before the test. It is not the school's own published advice.

Source: official admissions information · checked 2026-10-28

Admissions rules

No catchment — open competition

There is no catchment area. Admission is by the school’s own assessment process (examinations and, usually, an interview); the school sets its own oversubscription criteria in its admissions policy — commonly the assessment result first, with sibling or other connections considered at some schools.

Read the school's admissions policy

Results & destinations

2025 results

GCSE: 53.1% of grades at 9-7; 15.1% of grades at grade 9

School-published

A level: More than 40% of grades at A*-A; 12.6% of grades at A*

School-published

Source: official source · checked 2026-10-28

Scholarships & bursaries

Schemes recorded from the school's own published information. A scholarship is a merit award; a bursary is means-tested. Values are shown exactly as the school states them — where a scheme is honorary, its stated value says so.

11+ entry

  • Scholarships

    ScholarshipAll rounder

    What is assessed: Exceptional performance in the Entrance Examination and interviews, plus school reference and application form; for pupils showing potential for a strong contribution to academic and wider life, including exceptional talent in sport, music or drama

    When: Entrance Examination in January

    What it's worth: Up to £1,000

    How to apply: All entrance candidates automatically considered (offered at the discretion of the Head of Division following Entrance Examination and Interview)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Bursaries (Open Door Bursary Fund)

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Entrance Examination performance plus annual declaration of income and assets; parental interview with Clerk & Treasurer; Bursary Assessment for successful candidates

    When: Entrance Exam in January; Final Declaration of Income in May

    What it's worth: Full remission of fees may be offered where parental income is less than circa £20,000; no assistance where income exceeds circa £80,000

    How to apply: Separate application required (Application Form sent with invitation to sit Entrance Examination)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • The George Lancashire Bursary

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Means-tested bursary for a gifted pupil aged 11+ from any area within the Metropolitan Borough of Salford, joining Year 7

    When: For entry to Year 7 in September each year

    What it's worth: Partially or fully funded education; 100% bursary holders also receive an annual 'Extras' allowance (uniform, travel, equipment)

    How to apply: Separate application required

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

16+ entry

  • Bursaries (Open Door Bursary Fund)

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Family income and academic merit; cognitive test administered by the School to ascertain academic potential

    When: Timing not stated on the published pages

    What it's worth: Full remission of fees may be offered where parental income is less than circa £20,000; no assistance where income exceeds circa £80,000

    How to apply: Separate application required

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Leverhulme Trust Funds For Sixth Form Students

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Leverhulme Trust funds to help pay full tuition fees of eight Sixth Form students each year

    When: Timing not stated on the published pages

    What it's worth: Full tuition fees (eight students each year)

    How to apply: Application route not stated on the published pages

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

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