St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 6 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This school excels at helping all pupils, especially those facing the greatest barriers, achieve ambitious outcomes and feel genuinely valued. Teachers connect new learning clearly to what pupils already know, check understanding skilfully, and provide personalised support that helps pupils tackle complex ideas with confidence. The school's strong Catholic ethos, clear expectations for behaviour, and extensive enrichment activities create a safe, nurturing environment where pupils develop character, ambition and a deep sense of community.
Key Strengths
- Pupils achieve consistently above national averages across the curriculum, with disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND performing extremely well compared to similar pupils nationally
- Attendance is a major strength, sitting consistently above national figures with leaders using sharp, meticulous monitoring and personalised plans
- Behaviour and attitudes are exemplary with pupils showing impressive self-regulation, courtesy and respect throughout the large school
- Broad, ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum with teachers delivering with expertise and making well-matched adaptations for all learners
- Comprehensive inclusion support with early identification of needs and tailored packages of support helping all pupils to thrive
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met, with leaders and governors fulfilling their responsibilities and establishing an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Morning prayer, recreational sport, music, clubs and activities, school council, assemblies, careers education with employer relationships and alumni speakers from medicine, architecture and law
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School is a highly effective Catholic secondary school where pupils achieve consistently well above national averages and demonstrate exemplary behaviour. Leaders have created a harmonious, inclusive environment where all pupils, including the most disadvantaged, thrive and feel deeply valued.
At a Glance
15.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
29 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
21.8
Avg class size
49
Total classes
6 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
96%
Near capacity
1,204 pupils
1,250 capacity
46 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Wigan
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Wigan
Admissions Demand - Wigan
Places available
4,050
Applications
3,703
Got 1st preference
88.4%
Got preferred school
96.4%
Secondary admissions across Wigan (2025/26)
Inspection History(9)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.98391%
Overall absence
17.10311%
Persistent absence
1,222
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
St Oswald's Catholic Primary School
R L Hughes Primary School
St Thomas CofE Primary School
St Wilfrids Catholic Primary School
Nicol Mere School
Haydock English Martyrs' Primary School
Willow Grove Primary School
Bryn St Peter's CofE Primary School
St James' Church of England Primary School
Garswood Primary and Nursery School
Showing 10 of 14 linked schools
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.