We have listed the 21 secondary schools in Bolton which are rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by the education watchdog. There are a wide array of schools across the borough, with 100 primaries and 30 secondaries. Of those 30 secondary schools, 21 have been given positive ratings by regulatory body Ofsted.

What is the Ofsted grading? There is a 4-point grading scale used for inspection judgements: grade 1: outstanding grade 2: good grade 3: requires improvement grade 4: inadequate What does a school have to do to be Outstanding? To reach an “outstanding” standard, schools have to receive an “outstanding” grade for all the criteria, “meeting each and every good criterion”, securely and consistently, among others. Ofsted’s aim is to only name a school outstanding in a given area if they are truly performing exceptionally well and across the school. All other key judgements are likely to be outstanding.

In exceptional circumstances, one of the key judgements may be good, as long as there is convincing evidence that the school is improving this area sustainably and securely towards outstanding. Typically this will mean meeting each and every one of the good criteria but falling short on the outstanding for that key judgement. Safeguarding is effective.

Read more: All the primary schools in Bolton rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted Read more: School where children achieve ‘exceptionally well’ has a bright future ahead of it Read more: Popular high school which pupils are .