St Mary's Catholic High School
Manchester, M29 7EE · Wigan · secondary school
Check the area around this school
7th 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 890 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5/10 among them, against 4.6/10 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 | 45.8 · 52 | 30% | 1.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.2 · 35 | 25% | 0.87 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.1 · 56 | 10% | 0.56 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Mary's Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.2, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.2 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7 out of 10 among them, against 3.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Open Mic, Chinese Culture Club, and Tabletop Roleplaying Games. Sports include Boys Rugby, Netball, and Girls Football. Arts options feature Yr7 Choir, Dance Club, and Rock School. The school offers Theatre Trips and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,537 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,569. 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 to raise their Attainment 8? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic High School
Overview
The inspection confirms that St Mary's Catholic High School has "taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection." The report describes a school with a "real sense of community" where pupils feel "comfortable and happy." Leaders have raised expectations, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, resulting in a broad curriculum and strong pastoral care.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "broad and ambitious" curriculum where teachers are "knowledgeable about their subjects" and frequently check learning.
- The school’s "‘warm strict’ behaviour policy" ensures pupils are "polite and friendly," "confident, resilient and able to engage thoughtfully in debate."
- Disadvantaged pupils are well-supported through the "‘think first, think twice’ policy," leading to improved learning outcomes.
- Reading gaps are being addressed effectively, with the library described as a "hive of activity" at lunchtimes.
- Staff well-being is prioritised through initiatives such as an "annual calendar set in advance" and a "ban on emails outside of working hours."
Areas to improve
- Attendance rates for some pupils, including those in the sixth form and with SEND, are "not improving quickly enough," preventing full benefit from the curriculum.
- Assessment methods are not always used effectively to "embed and consolidate learning," leaving some pupils with gaps in knowledge before new concepts are introduced.
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 | 46.4 |
| 2024/25 | 44.2 |
| 2025/26 | 47.1 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of M29 7EE, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT