St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield Review 2026: Faith & Action

Located in Ashton-in-Makerfield, St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School is a large, voluntary-aided secondary school that serves as a focal point for Catholic education in the Wigan area. The school is defined by a robust spiritual ethos, encapsulated in the "ACTIONS" mission statement that permeates daily life. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2021, it combines academic stability with a distinctively nurturing character. With over 1,200 students, the atmosphere is busy and purposeful, driven by a leadership team that insists on high standards of behaviour and uniform.

The Catholic character here is not an add-on; it is the foundation. The school's mission is structured around the acronym ACTIONS, guiding students to put their faith into practice through service and community engagement. The Chaplaincy team is highly active, coordinating the 'Faith in Action' award which sees students from all year groups working towards badges for service.

Mr Mark Dumican, the Headteacher, has led the school for over a decade. His leadership provides a steady hand, and parents often cite the school's consistency as a key strength. The campus itself is a mix of older blocks and newer additions, typical of an established state school that has expanded to meet demand.

Expectations are traditional. The uniform is strictly enforced, and there is a clear emphasis on courtesy. Students move around the site with a sense of order, and the school prides itself on a culture where "pupils feel safe and happy," a sentiment confirmed by the latest inspection.

In 2024, St Edmund Arrowsmith delivered a solid set of academic results. The Attainment 8 score of 51.5 sits comfortably above the England average of 45.9, indicating that students typically achieve higher grades across their best eight subjects than their national peers.

Ranked 1,571st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2nd in Wigan, the school sits in the middle 35% of schools in England This places it in the top 34% of schools in England, reflecting performance that is reliably strong.

The Progress 8 score of +0.16 demonstrates that students make positive progress from their primary starting points. In terms of core subjects, 13.4% of students achieved strong passes (Grade 5 or above) in the English Baccalaureate combination, though the school prioritises a broad curriculum over chasing EBacc metrics.

The curriculum is broad, with a three-year Key Stage 3 allowing for depth before options are chosen. Teaching follows a structured approach, with a focus on clear explanations and regular checks for understanding.

Departments work hard to bring subjects to life. The History department is particularly active; the History Club encourages students to create research projects for the Manchester History Fair, and Year 10 students benefit from visits by the Historia Normannis re-enactment society to support their study of Anglo-Saxon and Norman England.

In Computing, the school has demonstrated excellence, with Year 8 girls recently crowned North West CyberFirst Champions, highlighting a commitment to engaging girls in STEM.

As an 11-16 school, St Edmund Arrowsmith says goodbye to its students after GCSEs. The transition to post-16 education is well-managed, with strong links to local providers.

The majority of leavers progress to St John Rigby College in Orrell, maintaining the Catholic educational pathway, or Winstanley College, which is a popular choice for those pursuing academic A-levels. A number also move on to Wigan and Leigh College for vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Admission to St Edmund Arrowsmith is competitive. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 387 applications for just 227 places in the last cycle. This subscription ratio of 1.7 applications per place means the school fills up quickly.

As a Catholic school, the admissions policy strictly prioritises faith. Top priority goes to looked-after children and baptised Catholic children living in designated feeder parishes (such as St Oswald's and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) who attend partner primary schools. Parents must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to evidence baptism; failure to do so can result in the application being placed in a lower category.

For non-Catholic families, securing a place is difficult due to the volume of applications from the faith community.

Pastoral care is organised around year groups, with Heads of Year and Form Tutors providing the first line of support. The school's inclusion team works with students who need additional help, including those with SEND.

The Chaplaincy plays a central role in wellbeing, offering a "sanctuary" space and organizing retreats that allow students to step away from academic pressures. Bullying is taken seriously, and the school uses a restorative approach to resolve conflicts, encouraging students to reflect on the impact of their actions.

Extracurricular life is vibrant. Sport is a major pillar, with teams competing locally and regionally. The school celebrates success in netball, swimming, and gymnastics, with students recently competing in the North West Schools Prelims.

Musicians have opportunities to perform in liturgies and school concerts. The Chaplaincy's charity work is a constant feature, from "Santa Dash" fundraising runs to food bank collections, reinforcing the school's ethos of service.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm. It is located on Rookery Avenue in Ashton-in-Makerfield. Transport links are good, with many students travelling by bus from across the Wigan and St Helens borders.

Faith commitment expected. The Catholic ethos is pervasive. Prayer, liturgy, and religious education are central to school life. Families who are not comfortable with this should consider whether it is the right fit.

Oversubscription. With nearly two applicants for every place, living near the school is not enough to guarantee entry. Faith criteria are the primary filter.

No Sixth Form. Students must move to a new institution at 16. While local colleges are excellent, families seeking an all-through 11-18 environment will not find it here.

St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School delivers a strong, values-led education that serves its community well. Academic results are consistently above average, and the "ACTIONS" ethos produces rounded, community-minded young people. Best suited to Catholic families in the catchment who want a traditional, disciplined school environment. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular school.