St Mary's Catholic High School
99%
Capacity
1,561
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic High School
St Mary's Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Wigan community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,561 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 1,569 places).
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Denise Brahms, it falls under Wigan local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.20 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.4. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 2000th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 10th out of 19 in Wigan.
St Mary's Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 564 applications for 258 places, making it 2.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 252 were first-preference applications.
St Mary's Catholic High School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 81% recommending the school (155 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Catholic High School include Sixth Form Centre, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Library, Astro Turf, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Science Labs, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Rugby, Basketball, Gymnastics and 4 more, as well as clubs including Orchestra, Young Enterprise, Choir, Gardening and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.5%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wigan, St Mary's Catholic High School is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Manchester Road, Tyldesley, Manchester, Wigan, M29 7EE |
| Headteacher | Denise Brahms |
| Local Authority | Wigan |
| Number of Pupils | 1,561 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,561 / 1,569 (99% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Oct 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (9 Oct 2024): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 May 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.20)
2000th of 3,141
Nationally
237th of 445
In North West
10th of 19
In Wigan
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
33.8
'22/23
31.9
'23/24
33.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
155 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed258
564
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
252 families put this school as their 1st choice (45% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's Catholic High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Manchester Road, Tyldesley, Manchester
Wigan, M29 7EE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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