Best Schools in Wigan 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 123 schools and nurseries in Wigan — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Wigan has 123 schools educating over 53,000 pupils across this metropolitan borough stretching from Wigan town to Leigh, Atherton and Standish. The borough offers affordable family living with improving educational outcomes.
Deanery Church of England High School, St Peter's Catholic High School and Standish Community High School are among the well-regarded secondaries. Wigan's primary schools have seen notable improvement in KS2 results.
Wigan at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Wigan
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicol Mere School | Wigan | Outstanding | 98% | — | — |
| Gilded Hollins Community School | Wigan | Good | 97% | — | — |
| Our Lady's RC Primary School Wigan | Wigan | Outstanding | 92% | — | — |
| Standish St Wilfrid's Church of England Primary Academy | Wigan | Outstanding | 92% | — | — |
| Holy Family Catholic Primary School, New Springs, Wigan | Wigan | Outstanding | 90% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Wigan
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield | Wigan | Good | +0.16 | 75% | 29% |
| Atherton High School | Wigan | Good | +0.00 | 60% | 54% |
| Golborne High School | Wigan | Outstanding | -0.05 | 70% | 63% |
| Standish Community High School | Wigan | Good | -0.07 | 79% | 17% |
| Outwood Academy Hindley | Wigan | Good | -0.08 | 50% | 29% |
Admissions in Wigan — Key Dates
Wigan Council coordinates admissions for state schools. Secondary applications closed on 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. Primary applications close on 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Apply through wigan.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Wigan?
Deanery Church of England High School, St Peter's Catholic High School and Standish Community High School are well-regarded. Primary schools in Standish, Orrell and Appley Bridge achieve strong results.
How are Wigan schools performing?
Wigan's schools have improved steadily. The borough achieves close to the national average on most measures, with several schools rated Outstanding.
Are there grammar schools in Wigan?
No. Wigan has no state grammar schools. Greater Manchester does not have a grammar school tradition. Wigan operates a comprehensive system.
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