Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #11 in Wigan public Top 28% UK

St Mary's Catholic High School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personHead not listed

location_onManchester, M29 7EE

language Visit Website phone 1942884144

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2019

groups

Students

1,561

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.2

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GCSE Rank

#11 in Wigan

#1,888 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

St Mary's Catholic High School is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in Manchester, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.0×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

St Mary's Catholic High School is a voluntary aided school in Manchester, Wigan, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,561 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.2, placing the school #11 in Wigan and #1,888 of 3,216 nationally. 37.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 14.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 16 A-level subjects. 33.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 13.9% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.44 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.0 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

44.2

Grade 5+ E&M

37.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.6%

Entering EBacc20.60%

EBacc APS3.68

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.2

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24.20%

EBacc APS3.96

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.34

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS4.04

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.4

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS3.98

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.2

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.26

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS4.13

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.44

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.7%

Achieving A*–A13.9%

Achieving A*–B33.2%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate97.1%

A-level subjects offered16

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.2

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate82.80%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate94.70%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 October 2024

Inspection Report

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02 April 2019

Inspection Report

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15 February 2018

Inspection Report

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29 November 2016

Inspection Report

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12 June 2015

Inspection Report

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18 March 2015

Inspection Report

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18 March 2014

Inspection Report

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08 March 2010

Inspection Report

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25 February 2009

Inspection Report

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18 September 2007

Inspection Report

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28 June 2006

Inspection Report

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22 May 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2019-04-02

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 2 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2018-02-15

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2016-11-29

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2015-03-18

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

5.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.9%(45 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,561 pupils. During this period, there were 80 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,561	80	5.1%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,567	108	6.9%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,535	86	5.6%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,548	79	5.1%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,555	110	7.1%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,547	65	4.2%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,561	86	5.5%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,558	80	5.1%	5.9%	3
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,576	56	3.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,590	46	2.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,588	74	4.7%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,558	63	4.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,561	11	0.7%	1.0%	1
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,565	55	3.5%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,541	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,541	71	4.6%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,558	72	4.6%	4.2%	4
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,539	59	3.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,549	63	4.1%	3.8%	3
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,555	50	3.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,552	29	1.9%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,575	46	2.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,584	47	3.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,571	82	5.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,592	82	5.2%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,606	77	4.8%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 61 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 58 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 29 pupils

Hearing Impairment 11 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 10 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

88.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

89.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree28%

agree47%

disagree16%

strongly disagree5%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree28%

agree50%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree25%

agree31%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

not applicable25%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes15%

no85%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree22%

agree38%

disagree33%

strongly disagree4%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree41%

agree46%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree41%

agree47%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree33%

agree51%

disagree12%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree52%

disagree5%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree48%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree29%

agree50%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes87%

no13%

Top Secondary Schools in Wigan

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Golborne High School

Outstanding

location_on Warrington, WA3 3EL

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St Peter's Catholic High School

Good

location_on Wigan, WN5 8NU

emoji_events #2 in LA

Standish Community High School

Good

location_on Wigan, WN6 0NX

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Shevington High School

Good

location_on Wigan, WN6 8AB

emoji_events #4 in LA

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

Good

location_on Wigan, WN4 9PF

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Lowton Church of England High School

Good

location_on Warrington, WA3 1DU

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View all schools in Wigan arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Wigan

Golborne High School

St Peter's Catholic High School

Standish Community High School

Shevington High School

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

Lowton Church of England High School