The Nelson Thomlinson School, Wigton

In 2026, pupils at The Nelson Thomlinson School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 40.4 in Cumberland and 47 across England.

36% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 32% in Cumberland and 47% in England.

That is down from 46.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.1: pupils made about 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 30.4, against 45.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Business Studies and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 163 families put The Nelson Thomlinson School as their first choice and 243 named it as one of their preferences, for 170 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Of the 207 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 35% to a further education college, 12% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

Of the 99 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 48% went on to university or other higher education, 15% to apprenticeships and 20% into work. 19% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

13.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 187 pupils (17.1%) received SEN support and 26 (2.4%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 970 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Nelson Tomlinson School (outside), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 37 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Nelson Thomlinson School issued 136 suspensions, 11.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to The Nelson Thomlinson School are Thomlinson Junior School (0.2 miles), Wigton Nursery and Infant School (0.3 miles) and St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.