The short version
Above-average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2012).
- GCSE results are above the national average (Attainment 8: 49.1 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2012
- This is a Roman Catholic school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
49.1
5.3 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
51%
9.0pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
29%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
96%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
89%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
4%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 230 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 13 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
16% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
2% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 17 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 103 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,202
- Capacity
- 96%
- FSM
- 13.2%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Wigan
- Head
- Mr Mark Dumican (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
8 official reports linked on this page, including 7 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Short inspection
February 2017 | Short Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2014 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
January 2012 | Full Inspection
Interim assessment
June 2010 | Interim assessment Interim assessment
Curriculum and development visit
December 2009 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
April 2007 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
February 2001 | Full Inspection
Location
Rookery Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, Lancashire, WN4 9PF
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmThe Byrchall High School
Secondary · Very close
Ascent Autism Specialist College
Special school · 377m away
St Oswald's Catholic Primary School
Primary · 588m away
R L Hughes Primary School
Primary · 899m away
St Thomas CofE Primary School
Primary · 948m away
Cansfield High School
Secondary · 1.3km away
St Wilfrids Catholic Primary School
Primary · 1.6km away
Nicol Mere School
Primary · 1.7km away
Questions parents ask
Is St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield a selective school?
No. St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield's Ofsted rating?
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield was rated Good at its most recent inspection in November 2021. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield?
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield currently has 1,202 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield take?
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield?
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield is in Wigan, WN4 9PF, in the Wigan local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield have a sixth form?
No, St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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