Smithills School vs St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in North West, England, 1.0 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Smithills School
Bolton · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
1,203 students
St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton
Bolton · Local authority primary · Ages 3–11
220 students
| Measure | Smithills School Bolton, North West | St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton Bolton, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 18 Lower 50% | 47 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #456 of 536 | #1081 of 2,286 |
| National rank | #3684 of 4,090 | #8605 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 3–11 |
| Students | 1,203 | 220 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,203 | 220 |
| Free school meals | 41.8% | 36.8% |
| Capacity filled | 96.2% | 91.7% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | 61% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | 13% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 36.5 | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 20.1% | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 47% | – |
| EBacc average points | 3.25 | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Bolton | Bolton |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.smithillsschool.net/ | www.st-josephrcp.bolton.sch.uk |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton scores higher on the Success Index (England) (47.3 vs 17.9).
- •Smithills School is the larger school with 1,203 students compared with 220.
- •Smithills School is a academy school while St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton 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 Smithills School better than St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton?
On the Success Index (England), St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton ranks higher (47.3 vs 17.9 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 Smithills School and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Bolton and Bolton in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Smithills School: 1,203. St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton: 220. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Smithills School and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton rank in North West?
Smithills School is 456th of 536 and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Halliwell, Bolton is 1081st of 2,286 among secondary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).