School: Bolton Junior (Boys)
Address: Bolton School Junior Boys’ School, Park Road, Bolton, BL1 4RD
Enquiries: The Headmaster
Description: This is the junior school to Bolton School’s Boys Division, to which almost all boys progress; the two are part of the same foundation, together with the girls’ schools. Often known as Park Road, the school has an urban setting, a mile west of Bolton’s town centre and very accessible (close to the M61 and M6). It is situated within the main campus and benefits from its facilities, including sports pitches, swimming pool and arts centre. Its own building has recently undergone a major refurbishment and has fine facilities including a new library, an IT suite, gymnasium and sports field. The school is academically selective and provides many opportunities for boys to develop their talents inside and outside the classroom. Music plays a large part in the life of the school and all boys are taught more than one instrument. It is strong in sport and its football teams are especially successful. There are residential visits to Patterdale Hall the school’s own outdoor pursuits centre in the Lake District.
School Head: Head: Sue Faulkner, in post since 2015. Formerly Deputy Head at the school, Deputy Head at Bury Grammar School Boys and teacher at Stonyhurst Junior School. Teaching staff: 10 full-time, 2 part-time.
Results: Pupils take the entrance exam for the associated senior school at age 11.
Furtherhigher: 99% of pupils go on to Bolton School Boys’ Division; all must pass entrance exam.
Arts: All pupils learn a musical instrument (recorder, and small group courses in violin, woodwind, brass and percussion); instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups include 2 choirs, guitar, percussion, wind, string and recorder groups. All pupils involved in school drama productions (Bugsy Malone recently). ADT taught in a purpose-built room, including a kiln, by a specialist teacher. Number of concerts and drama productions annually; all involved in carol service and junior school concert (featuring choirs, small groups and any outstanding individual performers); 2-day music festival judged by a visiting adjudicator.
Sport: Compulsory sports: football, cricket, rugby, swimming, gymnastics, cross-country running, basketball and athletics. Optional: badminton, tennis. All sports facilities on site, including gymnasium and sports pitch; also access to senior school’s swimming pool, sports hall and sports pitches. Various school teams in football (3 teams in U11 and U10), cricket, cross-country running, tennis, swimming, athletics and chess, as well as quiz competitions, so every boy will represent the school at some time. Some 40 football fixtures per season against local and independent schools; many trophies including AJIS cup (North-West’s top independent schools) and Bolton News cup for local junior schools. Also British biathlon champions; swimming and chess teams regularly feature at national level. Activities: Cub pack, active at district level and go on regular camps. Outdoor pursuits (at Patterdale Hall). Up to 30 clubs and activities, including art, badminton, chess, strings group, guitar, windband, computers, cricket, football, mathematics, science, running.
Alumni: Run by Stuart Chell, Old Boltonians’ Liaision Officer c/o the school.
Formerpupils: Sir Ian McKellen, Ralf Little (actors); Sir Harry Kroto (Nobel laureate, chemistry); Mark Radcliffe (radio presenter); Nigel Short (chess player); Roger Draper (CEO Lawn Tennis Association).
