Atherton High School
Atherton, M46 0AY · Wigan · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 19 secondary schools in Wigan we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.8/10 against 397 of them, against 4.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 38.2 · 33 | 30% | 0.99 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.0 · 50 | 25% | 1.26 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.2 · 52 | 10% | 0.51 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Atherton High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 25.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.0 in 2023/24, meaning pupils did as well as those nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 561 pupils against a stated capacity of 550. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap between its Attainment 8 and the national median?
What Ofsted said about Atherton High School
Overview
Pupils are “proud to attend” the school and value the “positive relationships” with staff, contributing to a “calm and purposeful” learning environment. The report highlights that the curriculum is “ambitious” and well-supported by the trust, enabling most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to achieve well. Overall, the school provides a high-quality education with effective leadership and strong behaviour.
Strengths
- Pupils feel “happy and safe” within a “warm and welcoming atmosphere” and maintain a “positive attitude towards their learning.”
- Teachers use “strong subject knowledge” to design effective activities, placing emphasis on “subject-specific vocabulary” to help pupils connect prior knowledge to new learning.
- The trust and governors provide “appropriate challenge and support,” helping to improve policies, systems, and engagement with parents to address attendance barriers.
- Most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the same curriculum as their peers and “achieve well” due to regular communication of needs and relevant teaching adaptations.
- Pupils benefit from “extra-curricular opportunities” and leadership roles, such as the student council, which build confidence and enable them to make a “positive contribution” to the community.
Areas to improve
- Ensure teachers consistently check that pupils have remembered their learning to address forgotten knowledge and secure understanding of new concepts.
- Enhance the programme to promote personal development, providing richer experiences of the diverse world to improve tolerance and respect for others.
- Improve the careers programme so that pupils across all key stages receive sufficient information to make informed choices about future education or employment.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.7 |
| 2024/25 | 39.3 |
| 2025/26 | 46.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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