Ofsted: Special Measures trending_up Places Available emoji_events #18 in Bolton public Top 41% UK

University Collegiate School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personHeadteacher James Inman

corporate_fareQUEST (A CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS TRUST)

location_onBolton, BL3 5AG

language Visit Website phone 1204928700

verified

Ofsted

Special Measures

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

491

trending_up

Attainment 8

36.7

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#17 in Bolton

#2,901 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

University Collegiate School is a University technical college secondary school in Bolton, serving ages 11-19.

article

School Summary

University Collegiate School is an university technical college in Bolton, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of QUEST (A CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS TRUST). The school has approximately 604 pupils on roll, of whom 50% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 36.7, placing the school #17 in Bolton and #2,901 of 3,216 nationally. 30.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 10.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 4 A-level subjects. 10.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B. A-level value added: -0.01 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Special Measures. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.7× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.9:1. There are 2 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.0 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

36.7

Grade 5+ E&M

30.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)10.7%

Entering EBacc11.00%

EBacc APS3.14

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.98

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

35.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6.70%

EBacc APS3.01

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.87

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

33.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc4%

EBacc APS2.93

2022

Progress 8 Score

-1.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS2.86

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.8

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS3.31

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.46

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS3.56

explore

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

workspace_premium

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.01

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–B10.0%

VA Banding Average

A-level subjects offered4

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.21

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate83.30%

2023

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate100.00%

2022

Students

Retention rate66.7%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

24 September 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

03 July 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

07 December 2022

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

13 March 2019

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

11 December 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

07 February 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 October 2017

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

28 February 2017

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

7 Evaluations

2024-09-24

Schools into Special Measures Visit 2 EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2022-12-07

S8 No Formal Designation Visit EIF

Inadequate

Education

Inadequate

Behaviour

Inadequate

Development

Inadequate

Leadership

Inadequate

2019-03-13

Schools into Special Measures Visit 4 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2018-12-11

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2018-02-07

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2017-10-19

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2017-02-28

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.5%(9 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 604 pupils. During this period, there were 18 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.0%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	604	18	3.0%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	604	6	1.0%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	542	14	2.6%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	542	13	2.4%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	531	25	4.7%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	481	64	13.3%	6.6%	4
2022/23 (Spring term)	491	99	20.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	490	36	7.3%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	391	29	7.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	394	23	5.8%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	384	15	3.9%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	243	6	2.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	235	1	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	236	9	3.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	167	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	167	0	0.0%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	162	7	4.3%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	158	1	0.6%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	158	3	1.9%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	157	3	1.9%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	210	2	1.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	211	5	2.4%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	215	1	0.5%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	354	1	0.3%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	360	4	1.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	352	5	1.4%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Speech, Language & Communication 18 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 18 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 13 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

89.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

87.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

22.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree40%

agree42%

disagree11%

strongly disagree7%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree42%

agree33%

disagree11%

strongly disagree13%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree44%

agree18%

disagree7%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

not applicable20%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes27%

no73%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree75%

agree8%

strongly disagree17%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree58%

agree27%

disagree9%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree36%

disagree7%

strongly disagree4%

don't know7%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree58%

agree22%

disagree7%

strongly disagree11%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree51%

agree38%

disagree4%

strongly disagree7%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree44%

agree33%

disagree9%

strongly disagree4%

don't know9%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree44%

agree29%

disagree4%

strongly disagree11%

don't know11%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes82%

no18%

Top Secondary Schools in Bolton

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Bolton Muslim Girls School

Requires improvement

location_on Bolton, BL3 6TQ

emoji_events #1 in LA

Sharples School

Good

location_on Bolton, BL1 8SN

emoji_events #2 in LA

Eden Boys' School, Bolton

Outstanding

location_on Bolton, BL1 3QE

emoji_events #3 in LA

St James's Church of England High School

Good

location_on Bolton, BL4 9RU

emoji_events #4 in LA

Canon Slade School

Requires improvement

location_on Bolton, BL2 3BP

emoji_events #5 in LA

Essa Academy

Good

location_on Bolton, BL3 3HH

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Bolton arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Bolton

Bolton Muslim Girls School

Sharples School

Eden Boys' School, Bolton

St James's Church of England High School

Canon Slade School

Essa Academy