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Local authority · North West

Schools in Wigan

  • 127State-funded schools
  • 99Primary
  • 19Secondary
  • 6Special
  • North WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
91%
7 pts above England (84%)
3,718 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
89%
4 pts below England (92%)
3,541 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.1
close to England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
21of 127 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Wigan
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
91%got their first choice
7 pts above England (84%)

3,718 applicants · 2.4% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 91%; England 84%
  2. 2025 88%; England 84%
  3. 2024 93%; England 83%
  4. 2023 91%; England 83%
  5. 2022 87%; England 83%
  6. 2021 92%; England 81%
  7. 2020 90%; England 82%
  8. 2019 89%; England 81%
  9. 2018 95%; England 82%
  10. 2017 96%; England 83%
  11. 2016 95%; England 84%
  12. 2015 92%; England 84%
  13. 2014 95%; England 85%
  • Wigan
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20263,71891.1%97.6%2.4%
Sep 20253,70388.4%96.4%3.6%
Sep 20243,72992.8%98.0%2.0%
Sep 20233,73291.1%97.2%2.8%
Sep 20223,87487.3%95.8%4.2%
Sep 20213,76991.8%97.5%2.5%
Sep 20203,76090.3%97.5%2.5%
Sep 20193,69689.3%96.9%3.1%
Sep 20183,51394.8%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20173,46696.1%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20163,44595.2%99.4%0.6%
Sep 20153,28392.4%98.3%1.7%
Sep 20143,22495.2%99.5%0.5%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
89%got their first choice
4 pts below England (92%)

3,541 applicants · 2.7% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 89%; England 92%
  2. 2025 90%; England 93%
  3. 2024 92%; England 93%
  4. 2023 91%; England 92%
  5. 2022 93%; England 92%
  6. 2021 92%; England 92%
  7. 2020 93%; England 90%
  8. 2019 94%; England 91%
  9. 2018 91%; England 91%
  10. 2017 91%; England 90%
  11. 2016 90%; England 88%
  12. 2015 89%; England 88%
  13. 2014 91%; England 88%
  • Wigan
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20263,54188.7%97.3%2.7%
Sep 20253,60189.7%97.0%3.0%
Sep 20243,36692.2%98.5%1.5%
Sep 20233,37091.3%97.2%2.8%
Sep 20223,44393.3%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20213,54591.6%97.3%2.7%
Sep 20203,48393.2%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20193,55593.5%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20183,61891.4%97.8%2.2%
Sep 20173,59791.3%97.7%2.3%
Sep 20163,71889.6%96.9%3.1%
Sep 20153,83688.6%96.4%3.6%
Sep 20143,72090.7%97.8%2.2%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 21 schools of 127 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (15)
  • Post-16 provision (1)
  • Leadership and governance

Bar: share of schools; number of schools at each grade below.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 82 schools · graded 2011 to 2024

  • Outstanding15
  • Good67
  • Requires improvement0
  • Inadequate0

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 24 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education5172–
Behaviour and attitudes816––
Personal development915––
Leadership and management5181–

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Wigan

Secondary schools in Wigan

19 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
Shevington High School 2026 3.5 applications per place 50.4 26%
The Deanery Church of England High School and Sixth Form College Faith 2026 3.0 applications per place 45.2 32%
The Byrchall High School Good2022 2.9 applications per place 42.8 34%
Bedford High School Good2023 2.8 applications per place 49.2 40%
Lowton Church of England High School Faith Good2023 2.6 applications per place 49.2 30%
St Peter's Catholic High School Faith Good2024 2.4 applications per place 49.2 12%
Atherton High School Good2024 2.3 applications per place 46.2 47%
Cansfield High School Good2024 2.2 applications per place 41.7 29%
St Mary's Catholic High School Faith Standards maintained2024 2.2 applications per place 47.1 20%
St John Fisher Catholic High School Faith 2026 2.1 applications per place 45.5 33%
Fred Longworth High School Remains Good2022 2.0 applications per place 47.9 25%
Standish Community High School 2026 2.0 applications per place 51.9 18%
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield Faith 2026 1.9 applications per place 50.4 16%
Golborne High School Outstanding2023 1.9 applications per place 45.1 25%
The Westleigh School Good2022 1.6 applications per place 45.0 44%
Hawkley Hall High School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place 41.9 27%
Outwood Academy Hindley Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place 44.3 37%
Dean Trust Rose Bridge Graded · no overall grade2025 1.4 applications per place 38.9 61%
Dean Trust Wigan 2026 1.2 applications per place 37.5 58%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Wigan

99 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Leigh St John's CofE Primary Faith Standards maintained2025 4.2 applications per place 67% 21%
St Marie's Catholic Primary School Standish Faith Outstanding2023 4.0 applications per place 91% 12%
Woodfield Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 3.7 applications per place 93% 6%
St Luke's CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 3.6 applications per place 90% 6%
Parklee Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 3.5 applications per place – 22%
St John's CofE Primary School Mosley Common Faith Remains Good2023 3.3 applications per place 58% 18%
Leigh St Mary's CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 3.1 applications per place 43% 28%
Orrell Holgate Academy Improved significantly2025 3.1 applications per place 86% 19%
St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School Faith Outstanding2023 2.9 applications per place 67% 13%
Millbrook Primary School 2026 2.9 applications per place 55% 10%
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Howe Bridge Faith Good2023 2.9 applications per place 67% 21%
St Stephen's CofE Primary School Faith 2026 2.9 applications per place 63% 16%
All Saints Catholic Primary School, Golborne, Wigan Faith Standards maintained2025 2.8 applications per place 68% 20%
Hindsford CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.7 applications per place 77% 44%
St John's CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.7 applications per place 71% 40%
St Thomas CofE Junior and Infant School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.7 applications per place 67% 33%
Twelve Apostles Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 2.7 applications per place 60% 33%
Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School Faith Good2022 2.6 applications per place 57% 32%
Gilded Hollins Community School Remains Good2023 2.6 applications per place 97% 7%
Sacred Heart RC Primary School Faith 2026 2.6 applications per place 61% 39%
Our Lady's RC Primary School Wigan Faith Remains Outstanding2023 2.6 applications per place 81% 16%
Leigh Central Primary School 2026 2.5 applications per place 55% 45%
St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Lowton Faith Remains Good2023 2.5 applications per place 73% 13%
Nicol Mere School Outstanding2023 2.5 applications per place 97% 23%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh Faith 2026 2.5 applications per place 45% 23%
St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell Faith 2026 2.5 applications per place 80% 10%
Lowton St Mary's CofE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.4 applications per place 71% 14%
St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 2.4 applications per place 73% 9%
St David Haigh and Aspull CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 2.4 applications per place 88% 25%
Beech Hill Community Primary School Good2022 2.3 applications per place 76% 45%
Holy Family Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.3 applications per place 73% 12%
Orrell Newfold Community Primary School Outstanding2024 2.3 applications per place 93% 10%
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Hindley Green Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.3small intake applications per place 64% 14%
Shevington Vale Primary School 2026 2.3 applications per place 70% 8%
St Jude's Catholic Primary School Wigan Faith Good2023 2.3small intake applications per place 67% 47%
St Richard's Roman Catholic Primary School Atherton Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 54% 36%
St Thomas CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.2 applications per place 59% 24%
St Paul's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 2.2 applications per place 60% 22%
Hindley All Saints CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 2.2 applications per place 71% 42%
Lowton West Primary School Remains Good2022 2.2 applications per place 63% 14%
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 2.2 applications per place 58% 14%
Chowbent Primary School Standards maintained2025 2.2 applications per place 36% 36%
St John's Church of England Primary School, Hindley Green Faith Remains Good2023 2.1 applications per place 71% 28%
Standish St Wilfrid's Church of England Primary Academy Faith 2026 2.1 applications per place 84% 10%
Aspull Church Primary School Faith 2026 2.1 applications per place 77% 13%
Tyldesley Primary School Standards maintained2025 2.0 applications per place 81% 6%
St Catharine's CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 2.0 applications per place 38% 53%
Wigan Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 52% 36%
Winstanley Community Primary School Remains Outstanding2024 2.0 applications per place 68% 11%
Garrett Hall Primary School Outstanding2024 1.9 applications per place 77% 4%
Highfield St Matthew's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 1.9 applications per place 81% 24%
Newton Westpark Primary School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 58% 57%
Lowton Junior and Infant School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 56% 33%
St Aidan's Catholic Primary School, Wigan Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 84% 5%
Wood Fold Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 78% 12%
St Peter's Church of England Primary School, Hindley Faith Remains Good2024 1.9 applications per place 71% 34%
St Philip's CofE Primary School, Atherton Faith Good2023 1.9 applications per place 71% 16%
Christ Church CofE Primary School, Pennington Faith Standards maintained2025 1.8 applications per place 43% 38%
R L Hughes Primary School Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 78% 20%
Leigh Westleigh Methodist Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 1.8 applications per place 42% 30%
Meadowbank Primary School Good2023 1.8 applications per place 70% 52%
Holy Family RC Primary School, New Springs, Wigan Faith Standards maintained2025 1.8 applications per place 87% 16%
Marus Bridge Primary School Standards maintained2025 1.8 applications per place 79% 18%
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 64% 30%
Leigh St Peter's CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.7 applications per place 60% 51%
Bryn St Peter's CofE Primary School Faith 2026 1.7 applications per place 76% 44%
Hindley Green Community Primary School Remains Good2023 1.7 applications per place 80% 29%
St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Wigan Faith Remains Good2024 1.7 applications per place 48% 47%
Canon Sharples Church of England Primary School and Nursery Faith Remains Good2023 1.7 applications per place 58% 44%
Mab's Cross Primary School 2026 1.7 applications per place 57% 20%
St William's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place 54% 43%
Standish Lower Ground St Anne's CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place 55% 39%
St Oswald's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 1.6 applications per place 52% 19%
Atherton St George's CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.6 applications per place 56% 52%
Britannia Bridge Primary School Good2023 1.6 applications per place 50% 42%
Wigan St Andrew's CofE Junior and Infant School Faith 2026 1.6 applications per place 67% 21%
Castle Hill St Philip's CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.6 applications per place 73% 42%
Westleigh St Paul's CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2024 1.6 applications per place 55% 55%
Holy Family Catholic Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6 applications per place 55% 42%
St John's Church of England Primary School, Abram Faith Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place 51% 22%
St Mary's CofE Primary School Faith Good2024 1.5 applications per place 55% 51%
Bickershaw CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 1.5 applications per place 27% 38%
Leigh CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.5 applications per place 60% 44%
Marsh Green Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.5 applications per place 50% 59%
St Wilfrids Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 1.5 applications per place 63% 19%
St Mark's CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.5 applications per place 44% 46%
St Thomas' CofE Primary School, Leigh Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.5 applications per place 48% 28%
Golborne Community Primary School Good2023 1.4 applications per place 89% 31%
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.4 applications per place 73% 37%
Platt Bridge Community School Good2024 1.4 applications per place 72% 47%
St Benedict's Catholic Primary School Hindley Faith Good2022 1.4 applications per place 86% 34%
Westfield Community School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.4 applications per place 46% 56%
Orrell Lamberhead Green Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 1.4 applications per place 78% 40%
Tyldesley St George's Central CofE Primary School and Nursery Faith Good2023 1.3 applications per place 61% 32%
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Leigh Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.3 applications per place 51% 32%
St James' Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 1.3 applications per place 62% 59%
Ince CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.2 applications per place 48% 55%
St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.2 applications per place 72% 51%
Hindley Junior and Infant School Good2023 no data – –

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

Special schools and other provision

9 schools