The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Newton Westpark Primary School is a state, mainstream primary in Westleigh, Leigh (Wigan local authority), for pupils aged 4 to 11. It has a published capacity of 210 pupils. The school is consistently oversubscribed for Reception entry, with 55 applications for 30 offers in the most recent local admissions results.
Academically, the picture is mixed. In 2024, 54.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, below the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 15.67% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, above the England average of 8%, which suggests a meaningful stretch for the strongest learners. In FindMySchool’s primary outcomes rankings, the school is ranked 10,421st in England and 11th in Leigh, placing it below England average overall (bottom 40% band).
The latest Ofsted inspection (14 February 2023) graded the school Good across all areas, including early years provision, and described calm behaviour and positive relationships.
A clear theme running through the school’s published information is routine and consistency. Punctuality expectations are explicit, the gates open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am, and late arrival routes through the office are clearly set out. That kind of clarity often matters to families who want a well-ordered start to the day, particularly for younger pupils who do better with predictable structures.
Pastoral language also leans towards steady, practical support rather than grand statements. The school’s pastoral approach references the Nurture Network’s six principles, including the idea that behaviour is communication and that transitions are significant. For many families, that signals a school that aims to respond to what is behind behaviour, not just the behaviour itself.
External evidence reinforces a settled tone. The most recent inspection report describes pupils feeling happy and safe, sharing warm relationships with staff, and moving around school in an orderly manner, with bullying described as rare and dealt with quickly and effectively. These points matter because they relate to day-to-day experience rather than slogans.
Leadership details are transparent on the school website. The headteacher is Mrs Carol Whiting, and the deputy headteacher and SENDCo is Mrs Holly Lane. Ofsted’s 2023 report states that a new headteacher had been appointed since the previous inspection in January 2018; the school does not publish a precise appointment date in the sources available.
This is a primary school where it is worth separating “overall expected standard” from “higher standard”. The gap between the two gives a more precise sense of who is thriving academically.
In 2024, 54.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. The England average is 62%, so the overall picture is below England average on this core combined measure.
Science is also below the England benchmark in the published data. In 2024, 73% reached the expected standard in science, compared with an England average of 82%.
Where the school stands out more positively is at the higher standard. In 2024, 15.67% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%. That tends to indicate that while the overall cohort outcomes are a challenge, a smaller group is being pushed towards greater depth successfully.
Average scaled scores are published for reading (103), maths (104), and grammar, punctuation and spelling (104). These are useful for a finer-grained view of attainment, particularly where a cohort may be just below the expected standard threshold.
Based on FindMySchool’s primary outcomes rankings (derived from official data), Newton Westpark Primary School is ranked 10,421st in England and 11th in Leigh. This places it below England average overall, within the bottom 40% band nationally.
What this means for parents in practice is that the school’s strongest outcomes are likely to be found in targeted stretch for higher prior attainers, while the wider challenge is raising more pupils to the expected standard in the combined core measure. If you are comparing nearby options, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can help you view KS2 indicators side-by-side without relying on headline judgements alone.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
54.33%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
The school describes a curriculum intention centred on achievement and belonging, and it provides subject pages and documentation through its curriculum section. The practical implication for families is that curriculum information is not hidden behind vague statements; it is presented in a way that suggests planning and sequencing is taken seriously.
A second, concrete signal is the school’s approach to support and inclusion. The deputy headteacher also holds the SENDCo role, and the school publishes SEND documentation and a link to Wigan’s Local Offer. For families with SEND questions, having a named SENDCo and a clear signpost to policies can make early conversations more straightforward.
The best external snapshot of classroom culture comes from the 2023 inspection report, which describes pupils working with enthusiasm and taking pride in their work, alongside high aspirations set by leaders. Those are broad statements, but they link directly to learning behaviours that parents often care about, such as effort, focus, and willingness to engage.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Practically, parents who are already thinking ahead should look at Wigan’s secondary admissions criteria alongside transport and travel times. A sensible way to shortlist is to use FindMySchoolMap Search to check distances for realistic alternatives, then cross-check with the local authority’s admissions rules for those schools.
Reception entry is oversubscribed. The most recent admissions results shows 55 applications for 30 offers, and 1.83 applications per place applications per place. That is not extreme compared with some urban hotspots, but it does mean families should assume competition, especially where distance or sibling criteria come into play.
The first-preference picture is also a useful clue. A proportion of 1.04 for first preferences versus first-preference offers indicates that first preferences are only slightly higher than the number of offers, which can mean the school is popular but not in the “almost impossible without living extremely close” category.
Wigan’s published timetable for Reception entry for September 2026 sets out: applications open on 30 September 2025, the closing date is 15 January 2026, and offers are released on 16 April 2026. Appeals are lodged by 15 May 2026, with hearings typically June to July 2026.
The school’s admissions page also advises families to register their child’s name and details with the school they are interested in, and notes that an application form is then issued in October of the year before starting, to be returned by the closing date. It also signposts mid-year (in-year) admissions via Wigan Council.
Because local authority processes and school-level admin can change year to year, treat those steps as the current pattern, then confirm the exact route and any supplementary forms on the relevant Wigan admissions pages during the application window.
Applications
55
Total received
Places Offered
30
Subscription Rate
1.8x
Apps per place
Pastoral support at Newton Westpark is framed around clear boundaries and helping pupils feel safe and secure, with an explicit reference to nurture principles. This is typically associated with predictable routines, careful handling of transitions, and staff using language to help children label feelings and regulate behaviour.
The most recent inspection evidence also supports a calm culture: pupils behave well, and the school is described as responding quickly to any rare incidents of bullying. For many families, that combination, clear routines plus swift response when issues arise, is the practical definition of a secure primary environment.
This is an area where the school provides unusually concrete detail for a primary.
There is a paid wraparound activity club before and after school, and the school also lists a wider set of additional clubs that vary through the year and are free of charge. Named examples include Singing Club, Computing, Football, Rugby, Athletics, Fencing, Dance Club, Art Club, and SATS booster sessions.
The inspection report also notes pupils accessing opportunities beyond the academic curriculum, with examples including dance and football clubs and singing in the choir. The implication for parents is that extracurricular life is not limited to one or two staples; it includes creative, sporting, and academic support strands.
Beyond clubs, there are structured pupil leadership opportunities signposted on the school website, including School Council, Eco Council, and Year 6 Ambassadors. For some pupils, particularly those who flourish when given responsibility, those roles can be as important as clubs.
The school day starts at 8.50am and finishes at 3.15pm. The website also sets out session times by key stage: Key Stage 1 runs 8.50am to 11.45am, then 12.45pm to 3.15pm; Key Stage 2 runs 8.50am to 12.10pm, then 1.00pm to 3.15pm.
The before-school club runs from 8.00am until the start of the school day and costs £2 per child, including toast and fruit juice. The school also offers a grab-and-go breakfast at 8.30am supported by Magic Breakfast. The after-school club runs from 3.15pm to 4.30pm and costs £2.50 per child, including fruit and a drink; discounts are listed for siblings.
If you need later pick-up beyond 4.30pm, that is not described in the published wraparound information reviewed, so it is worth checking current arrangements directly with the school.
The school publishes term dates through to 2027 and beyond, including INSET days, which is helpful for childcare planning and holiday club logistics.
Overall KS2 attainment is below England average. In 2024, 54.33% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with 62% across England. Families with a child who needs consistent catch-up support may want to ask how intervention is organised and how progress is tracked term to term.
A clear split between higher attainers and the overall cohort. The higher-standard figure (15.67% vs 8% England) is a strength, but it also highlights the wider job of lifting more pupils to the expected standard. Ask how challenge and support are balanced within the same class.
Reception entry is oversubscribed. With 55 applications for 30 offers, it is sensible to plan for alternatives and understand how Wigan allocates places. Use FindMySchoolMap Search early to see realistic distance-based options, then build a shortlist.
Newton Westpark Primary School suits families who value routine, clear expectations, and a calm behaviour culture, with a decent menu of clubs including sport, creative options, and academic support. Results are not uniformly strong at KS2, and the school sits below England average overall in FindMySchool’s rankings, but the higher-standard outcomes suggest some pupils are being stretched effectively. Best suited to families who want a structured, supportive primary and are prepared to ask detailed questions about how the school raises attainment for the full cohort, not only the top end.
The most recent inspection graded the school Good across all areas (February 2023). Day-to-day indicators described in the report include calm behaviour, positive relationships, and pupils feeling safe. Academically, KS2 outcomes are mixed, with higher-standard attainment above England average but the combined expected standard below England average in 2024.
Wigan coordinates Reception admissions, and places are allocated using the local authority’s published criteria. The school’s published information focuses on applying through Wigan and registering interest with the school; families should check Wigan’s current admissions guidance for the exact oversubscription rules and how distance is measured.
Yes. The before-school club runs from 8.00am and the after-school club runs until 4.30pm. Costs and what is included are published on the school website, including sibling discounts.
In 2024, 54.33% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with 62% across England. At the higher standard, 15.67% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with 8% across England.
Get in touch with the school directly
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Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
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