Wigan
Highfield St Matthew's Church of England Primary School
Dependable results for a comprehensive intake; the journey is the main thing to weigh.
What the data says
Published data, read plainly. It tells you what to check next; it does not guarantee a place or replace your local authority’s admissions guidance.
81% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths — well above the national average of around 61%.
- 81%
- Expected standard (R+W+M)
- 14%
- Higher standard (R+W+M)
- 2024/2025
- Academic year
KS2 progress scores (reading, writing, maths progress) are not yet surfaced in this summary. Check the performance table section below.
Admissions realism depends on your home postcode and the school's published allocation data. Enter your postcode on this page to get a more specific assessment, and always verify the latest policy on the school's official admissions page.
This school has a Church of England religious character. Admissions may prioritise pupils who meet faith criteria. A Supplementary Information Form (SIF) may be required.
Watch-outs
- Faith admissions criteria apply (Church of England). A Supplementary Information Form may be required. Evidence of faith practice may be needed.
What to do next
- Verify the school's official admissions policy
- Download and review the Supplementary Information Form
- Book an open day or school visit
- Add this school to your shortlist and compare with backup options
Starting school in September 2027
- Primary (Reception): apply by 15 January 2027; offers on 16 April 2027.
National dates for England. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another council.
Admissions and catchment
Reception entry · Wigan council allocation figures, 2023–2023
Add a postcode to see where you would sit against past cut-offs.
Every on-time applicant was offered a place in 2023. Add your postcode to compare with earlier years.
Why we say “Add your postcode”
- In 2023 Wigan reports that every on-time applicant was offered a place (first allocation).
- 82 applications for 60 places in 2023 (1.4 per place).
What could change this
- We measure a straight line from your postcode centre. The council measures from your home address, sometimes along walking routes, so treat anything near the line with care.
- Cut-offs move every year with the number of applicants and siblings.
- Children with an EHC plan, looked-after children and siblings are usually offered places before distance is used.
- Past allocations never guarantee a place.
Everyone who applied on time was offered a place, so distance did not decide entry and there is no ring to draw.
Last distance offered
Furthest child offered a place.
Applications and places
Published admission number (PAN) against applications
82 applications for 60 places in 2023
44 offers made at first allocation, 2023
Councils count applications differently (all preferences or first preferences only).
Pupils on roll
School census count against building capacity
86% full. Source: Get Information about Schools, 26 September 2026. A full school can still have places in the entry year.
Sources — check them yourself
- 2023 (first allocation): Wigan council allocation figures (PDF)
- Official admissions page: Wigan. Use its address checker or booklet to confirm your own position.
Figures collected from council publications on 27 September 2026 and shown as printed, converted to km. Years the council did not publish are left blank. Past allocations never guarantee a place.
Applications and offers
National offer day figures that councils report to the Department for Education. These are counts only: they do not show how far away the last child offered a place lived.
Reception entry
| Year of entry | Places offered | Put it first | First choices offered | Applications (any preference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 41 | 39 | 39 (100%) | 79 |
| September 2025 | 39 | 39 | 39 (100%) | 75 |
| September 2024 | 38 | 38 | 38 (100%) | 72 |
| September 2023 | 39 | 39 | 38 (97%) | 82 |
| September 2022 | 48 | 46 | 46 (100%) | 86 |
Source: Department for Education: Primary and secondary school applications and offers, Academic year 2026/27, school-level data, published 18 June 2026. “–” means the figure was not published. The council’s own allocation figures are the official record: check Wigan’s admissions page for cut-off distances, the admission rules and this year’s dates.
KS2 results history
| Year | Pupils | Expected % | Higher % | Reading | Writing | Maths | Read score | Maths score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | — | 81.0% | 14.0% | 85.0% | 88.0% | 86.0% | 108.0 | 107.0 |
| 2023/2024 | — | 57.0% | 4.0% | 74.0% | 85.0% | 74.0% | 104.0 | 104.0 |
| 2022/2023 | — | 55.0% | 2.0% | 68.0% | 72.0% | 67.0% | 104.0 | 102.0 |
Nearby and similar schools
Other primary schools in Wigan for local comparison.
School information
| URN | 145713 |
| Local authority | Wigan |
| Region | North West |
| Phase | Primary |
| Type | Academy converter |
| Gender of entry | Mixed |
| Age range | 3-11 |
| Headteacher | Headteacher A Barron |
| Trust | LIVERPOOL DIOCESAN SCHOOLS TRUST |
| Admissions | Not applicable |
| Religious character | Church of England |
| Postcode | WN3 6BL |
| Pupils | 412 |
| FSM eligible | 21.1% |
Contact and identifiers
Billinge Road, Pemberton, Wigan, Lancashire, WN3 6BL
www.highfieldsaintmatthews.wigan.sch.uk/1942747818| DfE number | 3306 |
| UKPRN | 10081212 |
| Opened | 1 Nov 2018 |
| GIAS updated | 15 Jan 2026 |
Data sources and freshness
| Official record updated | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Latest KS4 year | — |
| Latest KS2 year | 2024/2025 |
| Ofsted published | 26 Apr 2023 |
Latest Ofsted inspection
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
| Inspection type | S5 Inspection |
| Category of concern | — |
| Inspection date | 1 Mar 2023 |
| Publication date | 26 Apr 2023 |