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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 106540

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

Voluntary aided school · Wigan · WN4 9PF

Ages 11–16 · 1,204 pupils · Wigan

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

Attainment 8

51.5

Overall absence

6.9%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-03-03

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.16
−20+2
Attainment 851.5
English & maths grade 5+57%
English & maths grade 4+75%
EBacc entry29%

EBacc APS: 4.3

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence6.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)19.0%
Unauthorised1.5%
Authorised absence
5.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,228

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

222

Places offered

236

1st-preference offers

222

Total preferences (any rank)
404
Preferred offers (top 3)
232
Applications from outside LA
146
Offers to outside-LA applicants
72
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill96%

1,204 pupils · 1,250 places

Pupils on roll
1,204
Boys / girls
593 / 611
School capacity
1,250
Capacity fill
1,204 / 1,250 (96%)
Free school meals
15.7%
FSM pupils
189
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Archdiocese of Liverpool
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary aided school
Headteacher
Mr Mark Dumican

Location

Address
Rookery Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Postcode
WN4 9PF
Town
Wigan
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Wigan
District
Wigan
Constituency
Makerfield
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed voluntary aided school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Wigan, Wigan, 1,204 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 15.7%. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Open schools in Wigan
102
Secondary schools in Wigan
13
Academies among open schools in Wigan
26% (27)
Open schools in WN4
15
Secondary in WN4
3
Open schools in Wigan LA
144
Secondary in Wigan LA
19

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in WiganNear WN4

  • The Byrchall High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Wigan · WN4 9PQ · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att843.4
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+43%
    • Absence11.5%

    0.1 miles away

  • Cansfield High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Wigan · WN4 9TP · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.5
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence8.0%

    0.8 miles away

  • Hope Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Newton-le-Willows · WA12 0AQ · St. Helens

    Ages 11–16

    • Att842.7
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+36%
    • Absence10.3%

    1.6 miles away

  • Outwood Academy Haydock

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    St. Helens · WA11 0JG · St. Helens

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.2
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence11.2%

    1.9 miles away

  • Golborne High School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Warrington · WA3 3EL · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att848.2
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence8.7%

    2.2 miles away

  • Hawkley Hall High School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Wigan · WN3 5NY · Wigan

    Ages 11–16

    • Att844.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+46%
    • Absence9.2%

    2.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Mark Dumican
Telephone
01942728651
Website
http://www.arrowsmith.wigan.sch.uk

Official links