The Olive School, Bolton is a mainstream primary school in Bolton for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 48 of its 422 pupils (11.4%) were getting SEN support and 12 (2.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 422 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Bolton.
11.4% get SEN support
48 of 422 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2.8% have an EHC plan
12 of 422 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication25
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia10
- Social, emotional and mental health9
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
- Free school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 422 (places for 420)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sabina Saeed
- Part of
- Star Academies
- Faith
- Muslim
- Free school meals
- 18.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Bolton
- School reference (URN)
- 142898
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 Outstanding, July 2019; standards maintained (February 2025)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in July 2019. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, February 2025).
Contact and getting there
Darley Street, Bolton, BL1 3DX
Loading the map…
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
- Raise Education and Wellbeing School Independent · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.1 miles
- LifeBridge ASEND Independent · Ages 19–24 0.3 miles
- Moorgate Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.3 miles
- Sharples Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Brownlow Fold Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 14.2%, EHC plans 1.7% 0.0 miles
- St Thomas C of E Primary School, Halliwell Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 5.2%, EHC plans 2.7% 0.2 miles
- St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Bolton Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 13%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.3 miles
Questions about The Olive School, Bolton
How many pupils at The Olive School, Bolton have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 48 of the 422 pupils (11.4%) were getting SEN support and 12 (2.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at The Olive School, Bolton?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (25 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (10 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (9 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Olive School, Bolton?
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 The Olive School, Bolton?
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 The Olive School, Bolton?
You can ask for The Olive School, Bolton 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 The Olive School, Bolton 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 Moorgate Primary School, about 1.3 miles away.
Where is The Olive School, Bolton?
Darley Street, Bolton, BL1 3DX, 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.