Atherton High School

Secondary
Free school
Ages 11 to 16

Ofsted: Good

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

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

89 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score39.3

39.3, 6.8 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths25.8%

25.8%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths51.7%

51.7%, 13.1 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc38.2%

38.2%, 2.3 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.48

3.48, 0.61 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

561 pupils on roll, with places for 550

Eligible for free school meals47.4%

47.4%, 20.9 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.1%

6.1%, 15.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support20.9%

20.9%, 6.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.7%

3.7%, 2.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

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
Website: athertonhigh.com (opens in a new tab)
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.