Woodfield Primary School, Wigan Review 2026: Excellence Built on Growth Mindset

Opened in 2005 as a purpose-built school, Woodfield has become a powerhouse of achievement in Poolstock. The 210 pupils benefit from consistently excellent teaching in a modern, well-designed building that makes full use of outdoor spaces. In December 2024, Ofsted judged the school outstanding across all measures including quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and early years provision. The latest KS2 results demonstrate why: 91% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%. On the FindMySchool ranking, the school ranks 194th in England for primary outcomes, placing it in the elite tier (top 2% nationally). Locally, it's the 3rd highest-performing primary in Wigan. The school motto captures the approach: Be Caring, Be Ready, Be Safe.

Woodfield's character is built on growth mindset. The school explicitly teaches children that mistakes are learning opportunities and that persistent effort builds ability. This philosophy runs through every interaction, from how pupils respond to challenge in lessons to how they support one another in the playground. The school motto is lived daily, not posted on a wall. Children are encouraged to develop self-belief and resilience, qualities that shape how they approach learning and friendships.

Miss Anna Prior, headteacher since 2018, has maintained the school's trajectory of excellence whilst introducing fresh energy and modern practice. The teaching team is stable and experienced, with staff committed to high expectations and rigorous assessment of their own performance. The school has successfully integrated newly appointed staff whilst preserving continuity and quality.

The atmosphere is one of industry and purpose. Pupils move purposefully between activities, behaviour is exemplary, and the deep mutual respect between pupils and staff is evident in every interaction. The learning environment, both indoors and out, reflects careful thought about how space supports wellbeing and achievement.

KS2 Performance

Woodfield's results tell a story of sustained excellence. In 2024, 91% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined. This is 29%age points above the England average of 62%, a significant and sustained advantage. Individual subjects show equally strong performance: 94% met expected standard in reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation and spelling. Science results were equally impressive at 94%.

The scaled scores provide a clearer picture of depth. Reading achieved 110 (England average 100), mathematics 111 (England average 100), and grammar, punctuation and spelling 112 (England average 100). These scores demonstrate that pupils are not simply meeting standard, but achieving it with confidence and understanding.

The most striking data concerns greater depth. Across England, only 8% of pupils achieve greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics combined. At Woodfield, 49% do so. This reflects a school where high attainment is not rare or exceptional, but expected and achieved by nearly half the cohort.

Rankings Context

Ranked 194th in England (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the elite tier, placing it in the top 2% of primary schools nationally. Within Wigan, it ranks 3rd among all primary schools, reflecting its standing as a leading school locally. These rankings are built on consistent, year-on-year achievement.

Teaching is ambitious and rooted in clear structures. The curriculum is designed to be progressive, equipping children to be successful learners and positive members of society. Lessons follow consistent formats that support pupils in understanding expectations and building on prior learning.

Reading is taught systematically, using Little Wandle phonics from Reception. Colour-banded reading resources drawn from a wide variety of published schemes ensure pupils access texts matched to their level. As pupils progress, close reading and comprehension become central, building towards the analytical writing expected at Key Stage 2.

Mathematics is taught with emphasis on mastery, problem-solving, and application. Setting begins in Year 4, allowing pupils working at different paces to be grouped flexibly and supported accordingly. Teachers have high expectations and check understanding rigorously.

The curriculum encompasses all national subjects taught with equal commitment. Science is taught as a discrete subject throughout, with practical investigation integral to lessons. Art and design, design and technology, history, geography, computing and modern foreign languages are all represented. Music and PE are given significant time and expertise. Religious education explores a range of beliefs and worldviews respectfully.

Teaching follows growth mindset principles throughout. Pupils are supported, encouraged and empowered to take both pride and responsibility for their learning in a constructive environment. Children are taught to embrace challenge and strive for success. This approach means pupils develop not just knowledge but confidence in their ability to learn.

Sport: Inclusive Excellence

Sport is woven into daily life at Woodfield. Every pupil participates in two PE sessions weekly, and all children complete the Daily Mile each afternoon. Active lunchtimes are structured, with a rotating schedule of supervised activities ensuring every child finds something engaging: football, basketball, bat and ball games, access to gym equipment, climbing wall use, and trim trail activities. The school council helped design these lunchtime offerings, ensuring they reflect pupil interests.

Competitive sports are taken seriously. Inter-school fixtures span football, netball, cricket, orienteering, athletics, and inclusion events. The school competes in the Wigan Primary Sports Challenge. Specialist coaching is provided in cricket, and additional programmes like Trikidz, balance bikes, bikeability and scootability skills sessions enrich provision. At Year 6, the Anne Dawson Award recognises exceptional sporting achievement and application of the school's sporting values: Positive, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Enjoyment. Extra-curricular sporting clubs run at lunchtimes and after school: Dance, Judo, Archery, Fencing, Football, Netball, Tag Rugby, and Cricket. Indoor clubs include Chess and Board Games.

Woodfield's approach is deliberately inclusive. Sporting success is achievable regardless of individual barriers. The Relaxation Station provides a quiet alternative for pupils who prefer calm play, and imaginative free play zones cater to diverse preferences. The Well-being Warriors, a group of trained pupils, help manage the Relaxation Station. This ensures that every child finds a place on the playground.

Outdoor Learning and Forest School

The school's 2005 building was designed with outdoor learning in mind. The extensive grounds include a wildlife area with outdoor classroom and seating areas, where structured Forest School activities take place. All pupils participate in Outdoor Learning sessions run by qualified rangers. These sessions develop self-esteem, challenge, and problem-solving skills within a natural setting.

The outdoor environment supports curriculum work across subjects. The wildlife trail, outdoor musical instruments, ball catcher, activity panels and varied play equipment all encourage exploration and discovery.

Music: Widespread Participation

Music engages pupils across the school. The Wigan Music Service provides both whole-class instrumental teaching and individual tuition. Pupils learn a range of instruments including violin, singing, keyboard, guitar and piano. Many children take peripatetic music lessons. Choirs, performances and concerts occur throughout the year, both within school and in collaboration with other schools in the borough. Pupils are nominated for Musician of the Week to celebrate effort and progress. The school focuses monthly on a specific composer, with their work featured in assemblies and classroom learning.

Clubs and Societies

Beyond sport, a broad range of clubs meet the interests of 210 pupils. The school council, which contributes to school decision-making (including lunchtime activity choices), provides leadership experience. Gardening club connects pupils to growing and the natural world; the school was a finalist in the North West in Bloom competition, recognising environmental commitment. Art clubs provide creative outlets. The structured activities calendar shows curriculum enhancement events throughout the year, with focus days, assemblies, workshops, and educational visits complementing classroom learning.

Facilities and Learning Spaces

The modern building features 7 traditional classrooms, a large hall (used for dining, assemblies, PE and performances), separate rooms for group work, an art room, and KS1 and KS2 libraries. The library spaces support independent research and wider reading. The design of the building supports flexible use of space for different learning purposes.

The outdoor environment is equally thoughtfully designed. The Lounge Lodge and Relaxation Station provide calm spaces. The climbing wall and trim trail offer physical challenge. Outdoor musical instruments encourage creative play. The wildlife nature trail and outdoor classroom create opportunities for naturalistic observation and fieldwork.

Woodfield is a community primary school serving pupils aged 4 to 11 across the catchment area. The school admits 30 pupils to Reception each year, with a total capacity of 210. Demand for places is significant: in the most recent admissions cycle, 103 applications were received for 30 places, a ratio of 3.43:1, making the school oversubscribed.

Prospective parents should contact Wigan Local Authority's admissions team for application procedures and deadlines. The school is accessible by public transport, with bus routes 632, 111, 640 and 641 stopping at or near the school.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Before and after-school care operates under the name Treetops, managed directly by the school. Before-school care runs from 7:30am to 8:40am (£5 per session) and after-school care from 3:30pm to 5:30pm (£8 per session). Staff are familiar to children and include school-based employees Miss L Marshall, Miss E Cottom, Miss S Welsby and Mrs K Loganathan. Healthy snacks are provided. Booking is through the school office.

Being a state school, there are no tuition fees. Parents should budget for uniform, school meals (available daily), and contributions to school journeys and activities. The school offers a range of educational visits which complement curriculum learning.

The school prioritises emotional wellbeing alongside academic learning. Pupils know that staff care about them and understand that worries or concerns are met with a listening ear and supportive response. This level of pastoral attentiveness is evident in pupil behaviour, which is exemplary, and in the mutual respect that characterises relationships throughout the school.

The Well-being Warriors programme gives pupils agency in supporting peers. The Relaxation Station provides a designated calm space managed by trained pupils. These structures embed wellbeing into school culture rather than treating it as an add-on.

Safeguarding is taken seriously. The school has clear procedures and a designated safeguarding lead (Mr S Isherwood, Assistant Headteacher). Child protection training is current and staff vigilance is high.

Demand for places is high. With 3.43 applications per place, securing admission to Reception requires living within the determined catchment area. Parents should verify precise distances and application procedures with Wigan Local Authority. The school's excellence inevitably creates demand that exceeds supply.

The school is state-funded, meaning no fees, but costs exist. Families should budget for school uniform, meals, and contributions to educational visits and activities. The school's thriving extracurricular programme (sports clubs, music tuition, educational visits) involves costs, though participation is optional.

High expectations require engagement at home. The school's growth mindset philosophy means pupils are encouraged to embrace challenge and persistence is expected. Families who value a more relaxed approach may not align with this ethos. However, for families seeking a school that develops resilience and a genuine love of learning, this is a core strength.

Woodfield is among the strongest performing primary schools in Greater Manchester. The combination of consistent academic excellence, ambitious curriculum design, outstanding behaviour and pastoral care, and comprehensive extracurricular provision makes it a genuinely exceptional choice for families within the catchment. The school excels because leadership is strong, teaching is rigorous, and the growth mindset culture is authentically embedded. For pupils who thrive in an environment of high expectations, clear structures and genuine support, Woodfield delivers. The main challenge is securing a place given oversubscription.