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Rivington and Blackrod High School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Rivington and Blackrod High School is an academy converter secondary school in Bolton , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1584 pupils, and a capacity of 1888 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

1,584

Pupils

1,888

Capacity

84%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2023

Rivington and Blackrod High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Rivington and Blackrod High School?

The catchment area for Rivington and Blackrod High School is the geographic zone Bolton uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and, in most years, faith-based criteria. Bolton publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Admission to Rivington and Blackrod High School is managed by Bolton and typically includes both faith criteria and catchment area proximity. The weighting given to each criterion depends on the school's published oversubscription policy, which is reviewed annually.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Bolton before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Bolton catchment area documents →

Rivington and Blackrod High School: 1888 places, 84% filled: places available

Rivington and Blackrod High School has a published admission number of 1888 places. 1584 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 84%. At 84% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1888 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 25% of pupils at Rivington and Blackrod High School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Bolton.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Bolton publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Bolton school admissions →

Rivington and Blackrod High School: School Information

Full address
Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7RU
Local authority
Bolton
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Religious character
Church of England
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
25% of pupils
DfE URN
143773

Other Secondary Schools in Bolton

If Rivington and Blackrod High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bolton are the next closest alternatives.

Other Church of England Schools in Bolton

Rivington and Blackrod High School shares its religious character with these Church of England schools across Bolton. Faith criteria typically sit alongside catchment distance in each school's admissions policy.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Rivington and Blackrod High School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Rivington and Blackrod High School

What is the catchment area for Rivington and Blackrod High School?

The catchment area for Rivington and Blackrod High School is the geographic zone Bolton uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and, in most years, faith-based criteria. Bolton publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Rivington and Blackrod High School oversubscribed?

Rivington and Blackrod High School has a capacity of 1888 places and currently has 1584 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Bolton.

What is the admissions policy for Rivington and Blackrod High School?

Rivington and Blackrod High School uses both faith criteria and catchment area proximity in its admissions policy. The weighting is reviewed annually and published by Bolton before each admissions cycle.

What age range does Rivington and Blackrod High School cover?

Rivington and Blackrod High School is a secondary school in Bolton, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Rivington and Blackrod High School?

Rivington and Blackrod High School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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