Atherton High School
Hamilton Street, Atherton, M46 0AYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Atherton High School is a secondary school in Atherton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 136 schools in Wigan. It ranks 16th of 19 secondary schools in Wigan. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 January 2024, report published 14 May 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 January 2024
Pupils are proud to attend Atherton High School. They value the positive relationships that they have with their teachers. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), feel happy and safe. They relish the warm and welcoming atmosphere at the school. In the main, pupils are respectful of each other. Pupils work hard to meet the high expectations that the school has of their achievement. They are motivated to learn and maintain a positive attitude towards their learning. As such, the learning environment is calm and purposeful. The trust has worked with the school to improve the effectiveness of the delivery of the curriculum. This supports teachers to help pupils to know and remember more. Consequently, most pupils achieve well. Many pupils make good use of the extra-curricular opportunities that are available. For instance, they are enjoying the preparations for their 'Little Mermaid' musical performance. Such experiences build pupils' confidence to work with others from different classes and year groups. Some pupils also thrive in leadership positions, such as student council representatives. These roles enable them to make a positive contribution to the school and the local community.
What the school should improve
- Occasionally, some teachers do not check that pupils have remembered their learning. At times, this hinders pupils from gaining a secure understanding of new concepts. The school should ensure that teachers make sure that any forgotten learning is identified and addressed.
- Some pupils have limited opportunities and experiences to learn about life in modern Britain. A small number of pupils do not understand the importance of tolerance and respect for others as well as they should. The school should enhance its programme to promote pupils' personal development, so that they are prepared well for the diverse world in which they live in.
- Some pupils do not receive enough information about different career pathways. This means that they do not have the knowledge that they need to make informed choices about their next steps in education or employment. The school should improve its careers programme, so that pupils across all key stages are better prepared for their chosen careers.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
89 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
561 pupils on roll, with places for 550
Schools near Atherton High School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Longworth High School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.9 |
| The Westleigh School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 36.4 |
| Bedford High School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.5 |
| Westhoughton High School | 2 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard | Attainment 8: 44.4 |
| St Mary's Catholic High School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.2 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Leanne Turner
- Phone
- 01942885500
- Address
- Hamilton Street, Atherton, M46 0AY
- Local authority
- Wigan
- URN
- 138233
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.