How do I apply for a place at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield?

Applications for Year 7 places at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield

Q: Is St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 3 March 2026 under its report-card framework and graded six areas at Strong standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 1st of 19 secondary schools in Wigan. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

Q: What are St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.4 (England: 46.2). 53.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

Rookery Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 9PF

Local ranking1st of 19 secondary schools in Wigan

Ofsted: StrongUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1250

Capacity

11-16

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · Ofsted inspection 3 March 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 3 March 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Strong standard
Curriculum & teaching: Strong standard
Attendance & behaviour: Strong standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership & governance: Strong standard
Inclusion: Strong standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 50.4 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 53.6% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 75.5% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 237

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 96.0%
Continued in education: 89.0%
Apprenticeships: 4.0%
Employment: 3.0%
Not sustained: 3.0%

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1202
Boys: 593 (49%)
Girls: 611 (51%)
Capacity: 1250 (96% full)
SEND: 10.7%
FSM Eligible: 13.7%
EAL: 6.7%
SEN with EHC Plan: 4.0%
SEN Support: 6.7%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 16.3:1
Teachers (FTE): 73.6
Budget per Pupil: £6,886/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 7.0% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 17.1% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Voluntary aided school
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 90.6%
White Other: 4.0%
Black African: 1.4%
Mixed Other: 0.8%
Mixed White & Black Caribbean: 0.8%
Asian Chinese: 0.7%
Asian Other: 0.6%
Other: 0.4%

90.6%

White British

4.0%

White Other

1.4%

Black African

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01942728651

enquiries@arrowsmith.wigan.sch.uk

Visit website

Rookery Avenue

Wigan, North West

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Administrative

URN: 106540
UKPRN: 10017746
Establishment No.: 4805

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