The Bolton Vision partners

What do we do?

Where do we want to go?
How are we doing?

Achieving BoltonAchieving Bolton

An achieving Bolton will be one where people of all ages have the skills and confidence to access the opportunities that are being created.

New schools and academies will be developed, while the town is making the largest planned investment in further education in the North West, by bringing two major colleges together close to the town centre. Bolton is also home to one of the country’s fastest-growing universities.

You said:

  • good education is key to making Bolton a great place to live
  • a respected university and even better schools will be central to Bolton’s future success.

We will:

improve educational attainment

By 2017, our schools will have been transformed with new buildings and improved services for the whole community. We aim to raise the achievement of all children and young people in Bolton with a particular focus on those in our disadvantaged neighbourhoods. We will:

  • increase the percentage of pupils at the end of Key Stage 2 attaining level 4 and above in English, and increase the percentage of Key Stage 2 pupils attaining level 4 and above in Mathematics from 80% (English, 2006) and 78% (Mathematics, 2006) to 84% for each in 2010, 85% for each in 2012 and 90% for each in 2017
  • increase the percentage of pupils at the end of Key Stage 3 in all schools achieving level 5 or above in English and Mathematics to 55% in 2010, 57% in 2012 and 60% in 2017 (2006 baseline is 50% of pupils achieving level 5 or above in 14 out of 16 schools with a target of 50% of pupils in all schools to achieve level 5 or above in English and Mathematics by 2008)
  • increase the percentage of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 attaining 5 A* - C from 51% in 2006 to 60% in 2010, 63% in 2012 and keeping pace with the national average between 2012 and 2017.

provide everyone with the chance to learn

Achievement and attainment does not stop when adulthood starts. We will continue to provide extended services such as childcare and adult learning from schools and other venues. We will:

  • increase the number of 13–19 year olds who take part in positive activities from a baseline of 20% getting an accredited outcome in 2006/2007, to 30% in 2010, 33% in 2012 and 35% in 2017, whilst at the same time increasing the participation rate of young people.

raise aspirations

This is one of our most exciting challenges, key to ensuring the vision of Bolton in 2017 can become a reality. More people, particularly young people will make a positive contribution to Bolton life. We will:

  • increase the number of 16–18 year olds who are in education, employment or training from 89.1% in 2006, to 92.7% in 2010, to 94.5% in 2012 and to 96% in 2017.

improve skills

New diplomas for young people aged 14-19 will be launched, along with revamped facilities to help local people get the skills needed in Bolton’s developing economy. We will:

  • increase the number of people qualified to Level 2 by age 19 from 67% in 2006, to 77% in 2010, to 79% in 2012 and to 83% in 2017
  • increase the total number of people qualified to Level 2 from 66% (2005) to 70% by 2010, 72% by 2012 and 77% by 2017
  • increase the total number of Level 4+ skilled employees in Bolton's workforce from 29,900 (baseline estimate from Office for National Statistics datasets for 2003 and 2005), by 750 in 2010, 1500 in 2012 and 4000 by 2017.