St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever is a mainstream primary school in Bolton for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 102 of its 487 pupils (20.9%) were getting SEN support and 19 (3.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 487 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Bolton.
20.9% get SEN support
102 of 487 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.9% have an EHC plan
19 of 487 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication71
- Moderate learning difficulty27
- Social, emotional and mental health12
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Voluntary aided school
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 487 (places for 475)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rachel Dawber
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 28.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Bolton
- School reference (URN)
- 105214
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Bolton council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, June 2015; school remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (July 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsOutstanding
Since then: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, July 2024).
Contact and getting there
Green Lane, Bolton, BL3 2PL
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Lake House School Independent · Ages 5–16 0.4 miles
- Birtenshaw College Independent · Ages 16–25 0.5 miles
- All Saints CofE Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.6 miles
- Queensbridge Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
Other mainstream schools
- Ss Simon & Jude CofE Primary School, Bolton Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 10.7%, EHC plans 3.3% 0.6 miles
- Mount St Joseph RC High School a Voluntary Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 13.7%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.7 miles
- Harper Green School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 10.9%, EHC plans 2% 0.7 miles
Questions about St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever
How many pupils at St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 102 of the 487 pupils (20.9%) were getting SEN support and 19 (3.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (71 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (27 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (12 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever?
Through Bolton council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever?
You can ask for St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is All Saints CofE Primary School, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is St Michael's CofE Primary School, Great Lever?
Green Lane, Bolton, BL3 2PL, in Bolton.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.