St John's CofE Primary School, Wigan
St John's CofE Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Wigan. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in May 2023 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 33rd-highest of the 67 schools in Wigan with published results, and 5,545th of 14,452 across England. It was 92% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2014)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Wigan (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
St John's CofE Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at St John's CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 79% in Wigan and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (73% in reading, 83% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St John's CofE Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 22 families put St John's CofE Primary School as their first choice and 64 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St John's CofE Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St John's CofE Primary School are Orrell Lamberhead Green Academy (0.2 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 82% maths); St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Wigan (0.5 miles, Good, 65% reading, 65% maths); Westfield Community School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 60% reading, 56% maths); and Highfield St Matthew's Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 85% reading, 86% maths).
St John's CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.
Orrell Lamberhead Green AcademySt Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School WiganWestfield Community SchoolHighfield St Matthew's Church of England Primary School
Who goes there
40% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 9.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 55 pupils (29.7%) received SEN support and 7 (3.8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Pemberton Rail Station, about 1200 metres away (roughly a 15-minute walk).
15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Methodist Church (outside), 70 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
St John's CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St John's CofE Primary School are Dean Trust Wigan (0.3 miles), St Peter's Catholic High School (0.7 miles) and Up Holland High School (1.6 miles).
Dean Trust WiganSt Peter's Catholic High SchoolUp Holland High School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from May 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2023 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
St John's creates a happy, safe environment where children feel cared for and challenged to do their best. Pupils are well-behaved, eager to learn, and develop strong friendships while learning to support one another. The school offers a rich curriculum that includes exciting enrichment activities and teaches children about different cultures, British values, and how to stay safe.
Key Strengths
- Clear routines and structures create a safe, welcoming environment where pupils feel valued and trusted
- Strong positive relationships between staff, pupils, parents and carers, with pupils being friendly, confident and proud of their school
- High expectations for behaviour and achievement that instil self-belief in pupils, resulting in good behaviour and strong academic outcomes
- Effective phonics programme with well-trained staff who help struggling readers catch up quickly
- Excellent support for pupils with SEND, who learn the same ambitious curriculum alongside their peers and are fully included in all aspects of school life
Areas for Improvement
- A small number of staff are still developing their expertise in teaching early reading, meaning some pupils are not supported as well as they should be
- In some subjects, teachers lack confidence using assessment methods to check what pupils have learned, which hinders them from building secure knowledge over time
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff well-trained to spot signs of harm, report concerns promptly, and work with outside agencies when needed.
Extracurricular Activities
Musical theatre club, art festival exhibitions, clarinet and flute lessons (Year 4), range of sporting activities, school trips
St John's CofE Primary School continues to be a good school where pupils benefit from clear routines, strong relationships, and high expectations for behaviour and achievement. Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that prepares pupils well for the next stage of their education.
At a Glance
40.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 75% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 86% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 75% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
26.4
Avg class size
25.3
Infant (KS1)
27.3
KS2
7
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St John's CofE Primary School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St John's CofE Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St John's CofE Primary School is in Wigan; for families living there:
Apply to Wigan for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 17
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 6
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 6 serious and 11 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 4 on a bicycle.
6 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Wigan is 10 (the median across 146 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at St John's CofE Primary School
Will you get a place at St John's CofE Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St John's CofE Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St John's CofE Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St John's CofE Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Wigan, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St John's CofE Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Wigan got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
92%
Near capacity
194 pupils
210 places
16 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Wigan
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Wigan
Across Wigan council
Places available
3,894
Applications
3,541
Got 1st preference
88.7%
Got preferred school
97.3%
All primary applications across Wigan council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
55
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
33.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
185
Total Pupils
103
Boys
82
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
16.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£51,107
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,189
Per pupil
£1331k
Total funding
£105k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.8%
Overall absence
19.2%
Persistent absence
172
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St John's CofE Primary School
Questions parents ask about St John's CofE Primary School
What are SATs results like at St John's CofE Primary School?
Of the pupils at St John's CofE Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 75% reached the expected standard in reading and 86% did so in maths.
What is St John's CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St John's CofE Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2023, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in May 2014, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for St John's CofE Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When St John's CofE Primary School is oversubscribed, Wigan allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St John's CofE Primary School?
St John's CofE Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 92% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at St John's CofE Primary School?
Classes at St John's CofE Primary School average 26.4 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to St John's CofE Primary School?
St John's CofE Primary School has around 185 pupils on roll. 40% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St John's CofE Primary School?
6.8% of sessions were missed at St John's CofE Primary School in 2024/25. 19.2% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St John's CofE Primary School?
Apply through Wigan's coordinated admissions process, naming St John's CofE Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near St John's CofE Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 6 serious and 11 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 4 on a bicycle. 6 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Wigan is 10 (the median across 146 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St John's CofE Primary School?
St John's CofE Primary School is at Church Street, Pemberton, Wigan, Lancashire, WN5 0DT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)