Business Details
Bolton School - Inspiring Excellence in Education
Bolton School is a distinguished independent day school offering an all-through education for children aged 0-18 on a 32-acre campus in Bolton. Our co-educational Nursery, Infant School, and single-sex Junior and Senior Schools foster academic excellence alongside character development through diverse learning experiences, community engagement, and outdoor education at Patterdale Hall in the Lake District.With a commitment to accessibility, we provide bursaries for 20% of Senior School pupils, ensuring talented students from all backgrounds can thrive. Our holistic approach combines rigorous academics with pastoral care, preparing pupils for leadership roles and lifelong learning while maintaining strong ties with our global alumni network of over 11,000 members.
Services
Nursery Education
Infant School
Junior Girls School
Junior Boys School
Senior Girls School
Senior Boys School
Sixth Form Education
Outdoor Learning
Bursary Programme
Alumni Network
Highlights and features
- We offer bursaries supporting 20% of Senior School pupils
- Our outdoor education programme at Patterdale Hall enhances learning
- We maintain a 1:5 staff-pupil ratio in key learning environments
- Our alumni network spans 11,000+ global professionals
- We combine academic excellence with character development programmes
Associations and certifications
- ISI Inspection
Services
Nursery Education
Our purpose-built nursery offers high-quality early years education for children aged 0-4. With qualified practitioners and spacious gardens, we deliver structured learning through play, Spanish lessons, swimming, and outdoor activities. The curriculum focuses on developing foundational skills through exploration and creativity in a nurturing environment.
Single-Sex Education
We provide separate teaching environments for boys and girls from age 7, allowing tailored educational approaches. This model enables students to pursue academic paths without gender stereotypes while maintaining collaborative opportunities in music, sports, and extracurricular activities across the school divisions.
Outdoor Learning
All pupils participate in outdoor education programmes at Patterdale Hall in the Lake District. These experiences develop resilience and teamwork through activities like hill walking, canoeing, and orienteering. The curriculum integrates practical skills with academic learning to enhance personal development and environmental awareness.
Sixth Form Programme
Our sixth form offers A-level courses in small classes with specialist teaching. The Horizons programme develops university and career readiness, while the Riley Centre provides modern facilities for independent study. Students benefit from dedicated pastoral support and guidance through UCAS applications and career planning.
Pastoral Care
Each division has dedicated pastoral teams including nurses, counsellors, and wellbeing assistants. We operate house systems with merit awards, achievement assemblies, and mentor programmes. The Hive pastoral hub in the Girls' Division provides academic and emotional support through specialist staff and peer mentoring initiatives.
People
Philip Britton
Head of Foundation
MBE awardee with MA and MEd qualifications, leading the Foundation since 2012. Oversees educational strategy across all divisions while maintaining strong community engagement and bursary programmes.
Sue Faulkner
Head of Primary Division
Experienced educator with BA and MAEd qualifications, responsible for nursery to junior school provision. Focuses on creating nurturing environments that develop curiosity and foundational learning skills across all primary settings.
Helen Brandon
Deputy Head Pastoral
Designated Safeguarding Lead with extensive experience in student wellbeing. Oversees pastoral systems across all divisions, implementing programmes that combine academic support with emotional development and character education.
Rebecca Brayshaw
Head of Development
Manages alumni relations and fundraising initiatives, connecting over 11,000 former pupils globally. Leads the development office team in supporting bursary programmes and maintaining graduate networks.
Eric Fairweather
School Archivist
Curator of the Bolton School Digital Archives, preserving institutional history dating back to 1516. Provides historical context for school traditions and maintains records of alumni achievements and campus developments.
Questions
What educational stages does Bolton School cover?
We provide education from Nursery (age 0) through to Sixth Form (age 18) across separate co-educational and single-sex divisions.
Are bursaries available for students?
Yes, we offer financial support to 20% of Senior School pupils, including full fee coverage for qualifying applicants.
What makes your single-sex education unique?
Our single-sex teaching environments from age 7 allow tailored approaches to learning, with collaborative opportunities in music, sport and transport.
Do you offer outdoor learning programmes?
Yes, all pupils participate in outdoor education at our Patterdale Hall adventure learning centre in the Lake District.
How do you support pupil wellbeing?
We provide dedicated pastoral teams in each division, including nurses, counsellors, and specialist support staff across all age groups.
What transport options exist for students?
We operate over 20 coach routes covering the North West region to support pupil transportation.
