St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 March 2026

Pupils are proud ambassadors for their school. They bring the school to life with a strong sense of faith, ambition and a deep sense of community. From the first moment of the day, pupils engage freely in morning prayer, recreational sport, music and warm conversation with staff and peers. Pupils routinely uphold the school’s expectations and respond with maturity and self-belief to the routines and values leaders have built over time. Pupils are safe, well known by staff and deeply valued. Staff notice the smallest changes in how pupils present and respond swiftly to ensure that pupils receive the care that they need so that they can thrive. Pupils know exactly whom to turn to if they have concerns, and they trust the school to act. Vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who are looked after and those in receipt of pupil premium funding, receive individually tailored, compassionate support that makes a measurable difference to their lives. Pupils who face the toughest challenges flourish as a result. Pupils attend school regularly and behaviour is exemplary across the school day, including in less-supervised areas. Pupils move around this large school with courtesy and maturity. The school’s clear framework for learning, built on independence, resilience, challenge and collaboration, creates a focused, respectful environment in which pupils are ready to learn and actively participate in lessons. Bullying is not tolerated. Pupils know that staff will take appropriate action should it occur. Pupils achieve extremely well and hold high aspirations for themselves. Throughout the school, pupils feel secure about their next steps. The enrichment offer is extensive and accessible to all pupils. International trips, elite sport, a flourishing music and arts programme, a neurodiversity gym class and a wide range of leadership roles help pupils to develop the confidence that they need to succeed.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to refine the school’s approach to quality assurance so that it enables them to ensure that all groups of pupils achieve the very best outcomes routinely over time.

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