St Richard's Roman Catholic Primary School Atherton
Manchester, M46 0HA · Wigan · primary school
Check the area around this school
86th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.5/10 against 1,976 of 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 54.0 · 26 | 40% | 1.03 |
| Ofsted | 1 | 35% | 0.03 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Richard's Roman Catholic Primary School Atherton overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A higher 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.6 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 184 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 new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils who did not reach the expected standard?
What Ofsted said about St Richard's Roman Catholic Primary School Atherton
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils generally enjoy learning and feel a strong sense of belonging, supported by staff who build caring relationships. However, the quality of teaching is inconsistent, and leaders’ actions to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs are at an early stage.
Strengths
- Pupils learn to respect diverse views and beliefs, developing an appreciation of the world beyond their community.
- Attendance is well above national averages, with persistent absence reduced through close work with families.
- Pupils enjoy a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including clubs, visits, and sports partnerships.
- Staff deal swiftly with any incidents of bullying or discriminatory behaviour, ensuring pupils feel safe.
- Leaders have designed a coherent personal, social, health and economic education curriculum.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teaching improves consistently across the school by sharply focusing quality assurance on pupil impact.
- Staff must apply the behaviour policy consistently and provide effective support for pupils struggling to manage their behaviour.
- Leaders need to identify barriers to learning more precisely so that effective support is quickly put in place for vulnerable pupils.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where 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 | 83% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 54% |
| 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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