Schools by area › Wigan › St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–16 · Voluntary aided
Rookery Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 9PF · arrowsmith.wigan.sch.uk · 01942 728651
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Mar 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 49.1
- average Attainment 8 score. Wigan 43.4, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 4.41 mi
- 7.10 km · Year 7, September 2026 entry · Criterion 4.3 · Wigan Council
- Demand for places
- 1.1
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,204
- 96% of 1,250 places
- Local authority
- Wigan
- Sixth form
- No
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 15.7%
- First language not English
- 8.6%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, the last place offered under “Criterion 4.3” went to a home 4.41 mi (7.10 km) from the school. Source: Wigan Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 258 families put the school first and 233 places were offered; 87% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 233 | 258 | 1.1▲ | 87% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 227 | 223 | 1 | 98% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 236 | 222 | 0.9 | 100% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 231 | 229 | 1 | 98% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 233 | 228 | 1 | 99% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 – Criterion 4.3 | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 4.41 mi7.10 km | |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 49.1, and 50.8% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Wigan it was 43.4, and across England 46.
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▲49.1 | 46.0 | ||
| ▲50.8% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲76.5% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼29.4% | 40.5% | ||
| ●4.15 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 1.3 | −0.4 |
| Sixth form college | 57.3 | +5.6 |
| Further education | 31 | 0 |
| Other education | 0.4 | 0 |
| Apprenticeship | 4.6 | −2.8 |
| Employment | 2.9 | 0 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 2.1 | −2.4 |
| Activity not captured | 0.4 | 0 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield on 3 March 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
- Achievement: Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard
- Personal development and well-being: Strong standard
- Leadership and governance: Strong standard
- Inspected
- 3 Mar 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Strong standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Strong standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Strong standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Nov 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Nov 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Jan 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Apr 2007Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good
What parents said
87% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (198 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 87%
- Positive
- 83%
- Replies
- 198
- 16% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 80% who raised concerns
based on 51 parents (26%) whose child was bullied
based on 53 parents (27%) with SEND