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OpenOfsted: GoodURN 132155

Willow Grove Primary School

Community special school · Wigan · WN4 8XF

Ages 5–11 · 68 pupils · Wigan

School website

Ofsted

Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

6%

Overall absence

8.3%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-04-18

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)6%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
94.0
Avg scaled score — maths
101.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
104.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence8.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)24.6%
Unauthorised3.1%
Authorised absence
5.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
69

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill94%

68 pupils · 72 places

Pupils on roll
68
Boys / girls
61 / 7
School capacity
72
Capacity fill
68 / 72 (94%)
Free school meals
52.9%
FSM pupils
36
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 5–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Miss Lindsay Glover

Location

Address
Willow Grove, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Postcode
WN4 8XF
Town
Wigan
County
Greater Manchester
Local authority
Wigan
District
Wigan
Constituency
Makerfield
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Special classes
Has Special Classes

Local context

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

Mixed community special school, Ages 5–11, in Wigan, Wigan, 68 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 52.9%. SEN provision includes: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

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

Nearby 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

  • St Wilfrids Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Wigan · WN4 8SJ · Wigan

    Ages 3–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM18.5%
    • Demand0.81

    0.3 miles away

  • St Thomas CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Wigan · WN4 8PQ · Wigan

    Ages 4–11

    • KS252%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM23.6%
    • Demand0.96

    0.8 miles away

  • Nicol Mere School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Community school · Primary

    Wigan · WN4 8DF · Wigan

    Ages 4–11

    • KS298%
    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM23.4%
    • Demand1.23

    1.1 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%

    1.1 miles away

  • St Oswald's Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Wigan · WN4 9AZ · Wigan

    Ages 4–11

    • KS267%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM19.0%
    • Demand1.00

    1.1 miles away

  • R L Hughes Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Wigan · WN4 9QL · Wigan

    Ages 3–11

    • KS268%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM20.2%
    • Demand0.90

    1.2 miles away

  • 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%

    1.4 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Miss Lindsay Glover
Telephone
01942727717
Website
http://www.willowgroveprimary.org.uk

Official links