Bedford High School
Leigh, WN7 2LU · Wigan · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th 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 — 7.2/10 against 516 of them, against 5.1/10 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 | 49.3 · 61 | 30% | 1.82 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.24 · 32 | 25% | 0.79 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.2 · 67 | 10% | 0.67 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bedford High School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2023-11. In 2024/25, 47.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Chess Club and participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,111 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,210. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about Bedford High School
Overview
Bedford High School is rated ‘Good’ for overall effectiveness, with all inspection judgements also rated ‘Good’. Pupils generally enjoy their time at the school, valuing strong relationships with staff and peers that help them feel ‘safe and cared for’. The school has made ‘considerable improvements’ to the quality of education, particularly through curriculum redesign and increased uptake of English Baccalaureate subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘relish being part of a friendly school community’, demonstrating tolerance and respect for differences.
- The curriculum is well-designed, with key knowledge mapped out effectively, enabling pupils to ‘learn the intended curriculum well’.
- Staff provide swift and effective support for pupils who struggle to read, helping them become ‘confident and fluent readers’.
- Pupils are well-prepared for their next steps, receiving ‘quality careers information and guidance’ through mock interviews and work placements.
- Governors ‘offer constructive challenge and support’, and staff are ‘proud to work at the school’.
Areas to improve
- Some teachers do not use assessment strategies consistently well, meaning some pupils lack ‘secure prior learning’ before moving to new content.
- A small number of teachers do not use behaviour management systems consistently, leading to disruption by a ‘small minority of pupils’ in some lessons.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.8 |
| 2024/25 | 45.5 |
| 2025/26 | 49.2 |
| 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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