St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh
Leigh, WN7 2PW · Wigan · primary school
Check the area around this school
97th of 97 primary schools in Wigan we can score, 99 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,110 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.7/10 among them, against 1.2/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 45.0 · 13 | 40% | 0.51 |
| Ofsted | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.7 out of 10 among them, against 1.2 out of 10 nationally. 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 204 pupils against a stated capacity of 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 who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment in writing? How does the new Ofsted report-card framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils learn in a "happy and safe environment" and "value learning." Leaders have an "accurate understanding" of the school’s effectiveness and have implemented "many recent improvements" to the curriculum. Pupils are "well prepared for the next part of their education," with staff fostering a culture where children feel "secure and able to ask for help."
Strengths
- Pupils make "sound progress from their starting points," with the "vast majority" achieving well, including disadvantaged pupils.
- Staff build "supportive relationships" and provide "sensitive and well-considered support" for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities.
- The early years provision ensures children get a "positive start," with staff focusing on essential skills like phonics and communication.
- Pupils are "respectful, polite and considerate," and bullying is "rare" in this "calm and productive environment."
- Leaders provide "highly effective pastoral support" that has a "positive impact on pupils’ engagement and involvement in school life."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure pupils’ writing skills develop further so that pupils can "consistently achieve well, including at the end of key stage 2."
- Leaders should make sure monitoring provides "precise enough information" to help them make "timely improvements" to curriculum and teaching.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 74% |
| 2024/25 | 45% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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