Beacon Primary School vs St Mary's RC Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in North West, England, 1.6 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Beacon Primary School
Bolton · Academy primary · Ages 2–11
209 students
St Mary's RC Primary School
Horwich, Bolton · Local authority primary · Ages 5–11
214 students
| Measure | Beacon Primary School Bolton, North West | St Mary's RC Primary School Horwich, Bolton, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 13 Lower 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #2109 of 2,286 | #1266 of 2,286 |
| National rank | #14939 of 15,697 | #9874 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 2–11 | Ages 5–11 |
| Students | 209 | 214 |
| Pupils on roll | 209 | 214 |
| Free school meals | 64.7% | 15% |
| Capacity filled | 95% | 98.2% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 36% | 56% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 4% | 6% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | – |
| EBacc average points | – | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Bolton | Horwich, Bolton |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.beacon.bolton.sch.uk | www.st-marys-horwich.bolton.sch.uk |
The verdict
- •St Mary's RC Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (41.3 vs 12.9).
- •St Mary's RC Primary School does better on ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (56% vs 36%).
- •St Mary's RC Primary School does better on ks2: higher standard (6% vs 4%).
- •St Mary's RC Primary School is the larger school with 214 students compared with 209.
- •Beacon Primary School is a academy school while St Mary's RC Primary School is a local authority school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Beacon Primary School better than St Mary's RC Primary School?
On the Success Index (England), St Mary's RC Primary School ranks higher (41.3 vs 12.9 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Beacon Primary School and St Mary's RC Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Bolton and Horwich, Bolton in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Beacon Primary School: 209. St Mary's RC Primary School: 214. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Beacon Primary School and St Mary's RC Primary School rank in North West?
Beacon Primary School is 2109th of 2,286 and St Mary's RC Primary School is 1266th of 2,286 among primary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).