Bedford High School, Leigh

In its own words: "We relentlessly strive to help our students to reach their potential. Our aim is for every student to leave us as a rounded individual who feels optimistic and excited about the opportunities the world has to offer and is equipped with the character, skills and knowledge to flourish in life. 1."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Bedford High School. We are committed to developing our students as confident, aspiring and driven young adults fully prepared to make a significant contribution to society. We are engaged in partnership with parents, local schools, colleges and other support agencies and stakeholders to provide the best possible educational experience for all."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include chess, debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at Bedford High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.8 in Wigan and 47 across England.

49% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 43% in Wigan and 47% in England.

That is up from 45.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.24: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 44, against 52.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 8.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Spanish and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 159 families put Bedford High School as their first choice and 493 named it as one of their preferences, for 179 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Bedford High School are St Mary's Catholic High School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.1); Fred Longworth High School (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.9); Atherton High School (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.2); and The Westleigh School (2.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45).

Bedford High School's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Of the 200 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 74% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 54% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 6% into work.

40.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Atherton Rail Station, about 2.5 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bedford High School (outside), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Bedford High School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Bedford High School issued 409 suspensions, 37.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 6 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Bedford High School are St Thomas' CofE Primary School, Leigh (0.4 miles); Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School (0.5 miles); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh (0.8 miles); and St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School (0.9 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.