Cansfield High School
Wigan, WN4 9TP · Wigan · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th 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 the 826 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7/10 among them, against 2.2/10 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 | 36.3 · 28 | 30% | 0.84 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.55 · 14 | 25% | 0.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.7 · 27 | 10% | 0.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cansfield High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.55 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh, Student Leadership, School Parliament, subject ambassadors, PALs, prefects, and football.
Getting in
The published school roll is 974 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,012. 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?
What Ofsted said about Cansfield High School
Overview
Cansfield High School is judged to be ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining its previous rating. The report highlights a ‘caring and nurturing atmosphere’ where pupils are proud to attend and staff know them well. Most pupils achieve well due to a ‘broad and ambitious’ curriculum, though some areas require refinement to ensure all students reach their potential.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘well thought out’ with key knowledge clearly identified, helping pupils ‘progress well through most subject curriculums’.
- Staff use ‘strong subject knowledge’ to design effective learning activities and quickly address gaps in pupils’ understanding.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive expert support, allowing them to ‘access the curriculum well’.
- Reading is ‘promoted well’ through initiatives like ‘global citizen’ lessons and pupil librarians, with secure processes to identify and support those with gaps in reading knowledge.
- Governors ‘know and fulfil their statutory duties well’, providing appropriate challenge and ensuring staff feel valued.
Areas to improve
- Teachers occasionally choose learning activities that do not allow pupils to cover subject content in ‘sufficient depth’, hampering the achievement of some disadvantaged pupils.
- The programme provides ‘limited opportunities for pupils to celebrate different cultures and faiths’, meaning some are not fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
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 | 41.5 |
| 2024/25 | 44.4 |
| 2025/26 | 41.7 |
| 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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