St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth vs The Ferns Primary Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in North West, England, 700 m apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth
Bolton · Academy primary · Ages 2–11
357 students
The Ferns Primary Academy
Bolton · Academy primary · Ages 3–11
445 students
| Measure | St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth Bolton, North West | The Ferns Primary Academy Bolton, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 48 Lower 50% | 67 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #1060 of 2,286 | #532 of 2,286 |
| National rank | #8472 of 15,697 | #4467 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 2–11 | Ages 3–11 |
| Students | 357 | 445 |
| Pupils on roll | 357 | 445 |
| Free school meals | 43.1% | 32% |
| Capacity filled | 98.6% | 106% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 67% | 76% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 8% | 12% |
| 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 | Bolton |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.st-james-farnworth.bolton.sch.uk/ | tfa.northerneducationtrust.org/ |
The verdict
- •The Ferns Primary Academy scores higher on the Success Index (England) (67.1 vs 47.8).
- •The Ferns Primary Academy does better on ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (76% vs 67%).
- •The Ferns Primary Academy does better on ks2: higher standard (12% vs 8%).
- •The Ferns Primary Academy is the larger school with 445 students compared with 357.
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 St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth better than The Ferns Primary Academy?
On the Success Index (England), The Ferns Primary Academy ranks higher (67.1 vs 47.8 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 St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth and The Ferns Primary Academy?
About 700 m in a straight line, between Bolton and Bolton in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth: 357. The Ferns Primary Academy: 445. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth and The Ferns Primary Academy rank in North West?
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth is 1060th of 2,286 and The Ferns Primary Academy is 532nd of 2,286 among primary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).