Expanse Learning Wigan School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 June 2025

Pupils are happy and feel safe at school. The sensitive and responsive staff have an exceptional understanding of how to meet pupils' needs. This ensures that the environment is one of comfort and calmness. Pupils behave well. Staff encourage them to take greater ownership of the management of their own feelings. The excellent relationships that pupils have with staff, and with one another, help the school to set high expectations for all pupils' learning. Pupils achieve relevant qualifications to pave the way to meaningful destinations once they leave the school at the end of Year 11. Pupils enjoy a broad range of experiences to enrich the curriculum. The additional activities on offer include popular lunchtime clubs like handball, karaoke and arts and crafts. Pupils also have a wealth of opportunities to extend their interests and experiences through well-thought-out trips and visitors to school. For example, they learn about equality and disabilities by taking part in wheelchair basketball with a local rugby league club. Pupils also benefit greatly from the responsibilities that they are given, such as being school councillors or antibullying ambassadors. Pupils embrace these responsibilities and take pride in their contribution to the life of the school.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum is at an earlier stage of development than in other subjects. This means that pupils' achievement in these subjects is not as strong as it could otherwise be. The school should ensure that it defines clearly the essential learning that it wants pupils to know and remember in all subjects.

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