Best Secondary Schools in Wigan 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 18 schools across Wigan. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Wigan has 18 secondary schools, of which 1 (6%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 14 rated Good — 83% of secondary schools in Wigan are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Golborne High School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Wigan follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

18
Total schools
1
Outstanding
6%
Outstanding rate
66%
Avg KS2 SATs
38
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Golborne High School
Secondary
Outstanding 73 View school
🥈 St Peter's Catholic High School
Secondary
Good 66 View school
🥉 Standish Community High School
Secondary
Good 65 View school
4. St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Secondary
Good 64 View school
5. Shevington High School
Secondary
Good 64 View school
6. Lowton Church of England High School
Secondary
Good 62 View school
7. Fred Longworth High School
Secondary
Good 60 View school
8. The Deanery Church of England High School and Sixth Form College
Secondary
Good 60 View school
9. Bedford High School
Secondary
Good 59 View school
10. Cansfield High School
Secondary
Good 58 View school
11. St Mary's Catholic High School
Secondary
Good 58 View school
12. St John Fisher Catholic High School
Secondary
Good 54 View school
13. The Byrchall High School
Secondary
Good 54 View school
14. The Westleigh School
Secondary
Good 48 View school
15. Hawkley Hall High School
Secondary
Good 38 View school
16. Outwood Academy Hindley
Secondary
Inadequate 37 View school
17. Dean Trust Rose Bridge
Secondary
Inadequate 37 View school
18. Dean Trust Wigan
Secondary
Requires Improvement 34 View school

See full data for any school in Wigan

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Wigan?
There are 18 secondary schools in Wigan, of which 1 (6%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Wigan?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Wigan is Golborne High School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Wigan?
Primary and secondary school applications in Wigan are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Wigan council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Wigan?
6% of secondary schools in Wigan are rated Outstanding and 78% are rated Good. 85.4% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.