Mount St Joseph RC High School Review 2026: A Supportive Catholic Community in Bolton

Mount St Joseph RC High School, located in the Farnworth area of Bolton, serves a diverse community of approximately 900 students. As a voluntary academy within the St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust, the school is deeply rooted in its religious identity, which shapes both its pastoral approach and its daily routines. The school serves students aged 11 to 16, focusing on providing a stable transition from primary education through to GCSE completion.

Mount St Joseph sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting a solid and consistent academic environment. Under the leadership of Mrs Alex Devany, who was appointed as Head Teacher in 2018, the school has maintained a focus on individual student progress and community cohesion. The school site on Greenland Road provides a modern setting for its students, with a clear emphasis on creating a disciplined yet supportive atmosphere. The latest Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated the school as Requires Improvement, though it has since converted to an academy to further its development.

The atmosphere at Mount St Joseph is defined by its Catholic ethos, which is summarized in the school motto: I have come that they may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). This motto is not merely decorative; it informs a school culture that prioritizes the personal development and wellbeing of each student alongside their academic studies. Daily life includes regular opportunities for prayer and reflection, and the liturgical year is observed through collective worship and school Masses.

Physically, the school presents a well ordered and purposeful environment. The buildings are maintained to a high standard, providing specialized spaces for science, technology, and the arts. Students are expected to adhere to a strict uniform policy, which contributes to the professional tone of the school day. The relationship between staff and students is characterized by mutual respect, with observations highlighting the calm and focused behaviour of the student body.

The school is a member of the St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust, having joined to benefit from shared expertise and resources across the regional network of Catholic schools. This partnership provides additional layers of support for staff development and curriculum planning, ensuring the school remains connected to wider educational trends while maintaining its local identity in Bolton.

In 2024, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 43.1, which reflects the grades achieved by students across eight key subjects. This performance places the school within the national typical band for England. Regarding the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 22.3% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in the core subjects of English, mathematics, the sciences, a language, and history or geography.

Ranked 2,031st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranking 13th locally within Bolton, the school demonstrates a consistent ability to support students in reaching national benchmarks. The Progress 8 score of -0.12 suggests that students make progress that is broadly in line with expectations from their starting points at age 11. While the school focuses on a broad range of abilities, it consistently sees a significant proportion of its cohort move on to local sixth form colleges and further education providers with the necessary qualifications for their chosen paths.

Teaching at Mount St Joseph is structured to support students of all abilities through a balanced and inclusive curriculum. In the lower years (Key Stage 3), students follow a broad programme that includes traditional academic subjects alongside creative and technical disciplines. As students move into Key Stage 4, they have access to a range of GCSE and vocational options designed to suit different learning styles and career aspirations.

The school places a particular emphasis on core subjects. The mathematics and English departments are well resourced, with teaching strategies focused on closing attainment gaps and ensuring students are prepared for the rigour of terminal examinations. Specialist teachers deliver the curriculum, and the school uses internal tracking data to identify students who may require additional support or intervention.

Religious Education (RE) is a core part of the curriculum for all students, reflecting the school's voluntary academy status. The RE department encourages students to explore their own faith and respect the beliefs of others, fostering a culture of tolerance and intellectual curiosity.

The extracurricular life of the school is designed to offer students opportunities for growth outside the traditional academic framework. Sport is a significant pillar of the school community, with facilities including a large sports hall and outdoor pitches. Students participate in a variety of teams, including football, netball, and athletics, representing the school in local Bolton fixtures.

STEM: Innovation and Technology

STEM subjects are well represented in the extracurricular programme. The school has previously engaged in projects such as the Lego Robotics challenge, which allows students to apply engineering and coding principles to practical problems. Science clubs and mathematics challenges provide further extension for students with a keen interest in these fields.

The creative arts are equally valued. The school choir and various instrumental ensembles provide a musical outlet for students, with performances taking place during school liturgies and annual concerts. Drama productions are a highlight of the school calendar, involving students in both performance and technical roles, from lighting to set design.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the Mount St Joseph experience. The school operates a year group system, with each student assigned a form tutor who serves as their primary point of contact. This structure ensures that every student is known individually and that any concerns regarding wellbeing or progress can be addressed promptly.

The school's Catholic character underpins its approach to pastoral support, emphasizing the dignity of each person. There is a strong focus on mental health awareness, with staff trained to recognize signs of distress and provide appropriate support or signposting to external services. The chaplaincy team plays a vital role in the life of the school, offering spiritual guidance and a listening ear to students of all faiths and none.

Behaviour management is based on a system of clear expectations and rewards. The school encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and to contribute positively to the school community. This approach creates a safe and predictable environment where students feel supported in their learning.

As a Catholic voluntary academy, admissions are managed by the school governors in conjunction with the Bolton Local Authority. The school has a capacity of 900 students and is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 391 applications for 180 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.21 applications for every place offered.

Priority is given to baptized Catholic children, particularly those attending associated primary schools in the local parishes. Families from other faith backgrounds or those who support the school's Catholic ethos are also welcomed, provided places are available after the primary criteria have been met. Parents are required to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) alongside the standard local authority application to verify faith status.

The school is easily accessible via local transport links in Farnworth and Bolton. Families considering a place should be aware that the high demand for places means that meeting the faith criteria is often essential for a successful application.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded voluntary academy, Mount St Joseph RC High School does not charge tuition fees. It is funded directly by the government via the St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust.

While there are no fees, parents should account for costs associated with school life, such as:

• Uniform: Approximately £100 to £150 for a full set including PE kit.
• School Meals: Typically £2.50 to £3.00 per day.
• Trips and Activities: Costs vary depending on the destination.

Financial support is available for families on low incomes. This includes the provision of Free School Meals and assistance with the cost of school trips or uniforms through the Pupil Premium fund. Families should contact the school office for current eligibility criteria and application forms.

The school day typically begins at 8:45 am and concludes at 3:15 pm. For students requiring extra support or a quiet place to study, the library and various computer suites are often available before and after school.

Travel to the school is facilitated by its location on Greenland Road, with several local bus routes serving the Farnworth area. There is limited on-site parking for visitors, but the school is well integrated into the local pedestrian network. For families seeking wraparound care, the school focuses primarily on after-school enrichment and revision sessions; specific breakfast or late-evening childcare is not a standard feature of the secondary provision.

• Faith criteria for entry: As a heavily oversubscribed Catholic academy, baptized Catholic children have significant priority. Families without a Catholic background should carefully review the admissions policy, as the high subscription proportion makes entry for non-Catholic students challenging.
• Secondary only provision: The school caters for students up to Year 11 only. This means all students must transition to a new provider at age 16. The school provides extensive support for this transition, but families should be prepared for this change in environment.
• Requires Improvement status: The school was last rated as Requires Improvement by Ofsted. While academy conversion is designed to address this, parents should investigate recent progress during open evenings.
• Catholic identity: The religious character is pervasive. Students participate in daily prayer and regular Masses. This is a central part of the school's identity and is expected of all students regardless of their personal faith.

Mount St Joseph RC High School is a stable and nurturing environment that successfully balances its strong Catholic identity with a modern secondary curriculum. It is a school where students are encouraged to grow as individuals within a disciplined and supportive community. Best suited to families who value a faith-based education and are looking for a school that prioritizes pastoral care alongside academic progress. For those within the Catholic community of Bolton and Farnworth, it remains a premier and highly sought-after choice.