Smithills School vs Thornleigh Salesian College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in North West, England, 801 m 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
Thornleigh Salesian College
Bolton · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–18
1,574 students
| Measure | Smithills School Bolton, North West | Thornleigh Salesian College Bolton, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 18 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #456 of 536 | #213 of 536 |
| National rank | #3684 of 4,090 | #1889 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 11–18 |
| Students | 1,203 | 1,574 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,203 | 1,574 |
| Free school meals | 41.8% | 29.4% |
| Capacity filled | 96.2% | 95.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 36.5 | 45.7 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 20.1% | 41.1% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 47% | 68.4% |
| EBacc average points | 3.25 | 3.86 |
| A level points per entry | – | 36.3 |
| town | Bolton | Bolton |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.smithillsschool.net/ | www.thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk |
The verdict
- •Thornleigh Salesian College scores higher on the Success Index (England) (51.9 vs 17.9).
- •Thornleigh Salesian College is the larger school with 1,574 students compared with 1,203.
- •Smithills School is a academy school while Thornleigh Salesian College 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Smithills School better than Thornleigh Salesian College?
On the Success Index (England), Thornleigh Salesian College ranks higher (51.9 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 Thornleigh Salesian College?
About 801 m in a straight line, between Bolton and Bolton in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Smithills School: 1,203. Thornleigh Salesian College: 1,574. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Smithills School and Thornleigh Salesian College rank in North West?
Smithills School is 456th of 536 and Thornleigh Salesian College is 213th of 536 among secondary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).