Garswood Primary and Nursery School, Wigan

Ofsted's report card from its 16 June 2026 inspection grades Garswood Primary and Nursery School on 7 areas: 1 exceptional and 6 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Exceptional. "Leaders prioritise the early years with rigour and determination."

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils gain detailed knowledge and sophisticated skills across a wide range of subjects."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have high expectations of attendance and communicate these clearly to families."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have a precise understanding of the quality of curriculum and teaching across school."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture that is ambitious for all pupils but especially those who may face challenges."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a precise and detailed understanding of the school's strengths."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders deliver a wide-ranging and carefully considered personal development programme that runs through the curriculum and the many wider opportunities mapped out across the school year."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and governors should continue to further develop leadership capacity to maintain the current high standards and positive outcomes for pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged".

In its own words: "We ensure that equality and diversity are embedded in our curriculum through our intent and implementation. Our curriculum ensures that our climate for learning; curriculum planning and delivery; learning experiences and assessment practices proactively eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and foster good relations in a manner that values, preserves and responds to diversity."

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Garswood Primary and Nursery School reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 74% in St. Helens and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 76% in reading and 86% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 34 families put Garswood Primary and Nursery School as their first choice and 44 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 7 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Garswood Primary and Nursery School are Rectory CofE Primary School (0.6 miles, Requires improvement, 60% reading, 33% maths); R L Hughes Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 85% reading, 97% maths); Bryn St Peter's CofE Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 79% reading, 90% maths); and Nicol Mere School (1.3 miles, Outstanding, 97% reading, 97% maths).

Garswood Primary and Nursery School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

8.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Garswood Rail Station, about 240 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Forres Grove (adjacent), 160 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 18 crimes within a mile of the school, most often shoplifting, violence and sexual offences and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in St. Helens (144).

Garswood Primary and Nursery School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Garswood Primary and Nursery School are Cansfield High School (1.2 miles); St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield (1.5 miles); The Byrchall High School (1.5 miles); and Outwood Academy Haydock (1.7 miles).