St John Fisher Catholic High School
Wigan, WN6 7RN · Wigan · secondary school
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17th of 19 secondary schools in Wigan we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.5/10 against 697 of them, against 2.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 12 | 35% | 0.42 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 34.0 · 22 | 30% | 0.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.58 · 12 | 25% | 0.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John Fisher Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 34.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.58 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 (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 998 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. 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
Since the March 2026 inspection uses separate grades, which specific areas received the highest ratings? How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national median?
What Ofsted said about St John Fisher Catholic High School
Overview
The inspection highlights a school with a "strong ethos of tolerance, kindness and respect" where pupils feel valued and safe. While personal development and behaviour are strengths, inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and assessment mean that achievement and teaching currently "need attention."
Strengths
- Personal development is a "strong standard," with a "well structured" curriculum covering relationships, digital safety, and British values.
- Attendance has improved due to "decisive and sustained action" by leaders, who use "forensic analysis" to support families.
- Behaviour is "calm and orderly," with pupils described as "friendly, courteous and respectful."
- Inclusion is central to the school’s work, with "positive relationships" with primary schools ensuring early support for vulnerable pupils.
- Staff feel "valued" in a "positive and professional culture" where leaders are "approachable and supportive."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure assessment "effectively addresses gaps in pupils’ knowledge" to prevent variable progress.
- The curriculum must be "suitably adapted" for all pupils to secure high achievement, as adaptations are not consistently applied.
- Agreed teaching strategies must be "consistently embedded across the school" to support rapid improvements in outcomes.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed," ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.2 |
| 2024/25 | 41.3 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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