Most sought-after schools in Wigan

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	Leigh St John's CofE Primary Leigh, primary	2.14	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
2	Nicol Mere School Wigan, primary	1.60	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
3	St Luke's CofE Primary School Warrington, primary	1.60	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
4	Hindsford CofE Primary School Manchester, primary	1.59	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
5	Our Lady's RC Primary School Wigan Wigan, primary	1.47	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
6	All Saints Catholic Primary School, Golborne, Wigan Warrington, primary	1.43	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
7	Millbrook Primary School Wigan, primary	1.43	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
8	Parklee Primary School Wigan, primary	1.43	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9	St Marie's Catholic Primary School Standish Wigan, primary	1.43	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10	Woodfield Primary School Wigan, primary	1.40	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
11	St Michael's CofE Primary School, Howe Bridge Greater Manchester, primary	1.31	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
12	Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School Leigh, primary	1.27	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	Gilded Hollins Community School Leigh, primary	1.27	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
14	The Byrchall High School Wigan, secondary	1.26	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
15	Hindley All Saints CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	1.24	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
16	Leigh Central Primary School Leigh, primary	1.23	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
17	St William's Catholic Primary School Wigan, primary	1.21	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
18	Orrell Newfold Community Primary School Wigan, primary	1.20	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19	St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School Wigan, primary	1.20	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
20	St Peter's Catholic High School Wigan, secondary	1.20	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
21	Wigan Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School Wigan, primary	1.20	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
22	Golborne High School Warrington, secondary	1.18	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
23	St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell Wigan, primary	1.17	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
24	Twelve Apostles Catholic Primary School Select, primary	1.17	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
25	Leigh St Peter's CofE Primary School Leigh, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
26	Marsh Green Primary School Wigan, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	The Deanery Church of England High School and Sixth Form College Wigan, secondary	1.12	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
28	St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan, secondary	1.11	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
29	Beech Hill Community Primary School Wigan, primary	1.10	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
30	Fred Longworth High School Manchester, secondary	1.10	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
31	St Catharine's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	1.10	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32	Shevington High School Wigan, secondary	1.08	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
33	Standish St Wilfrid's Church of England Primary Academy Wigan, primary	1.08	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
34	Meadowbank Primary School Manchester, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35	St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
36	St Thomas CofE Junior and Infant School Warrington, primary	1.07	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
37	Garrett Hall Primary School Manchester, primary	1.05	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38	Marus Bridge Primary School Wigan, primary	1.04	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
39	St John Fisher Catholic High School Wigan, secondary	1.04	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
40	Christ Church CofE Primary School, Pennington Leigh, primary	1.03	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
41	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh Leigh, primary	1.03	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
42	St Mark's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	1.03	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	St Mary's Catholic High School Manchester, secondary	1.02	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
44	Britannia Bridge Primary School Wigan, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
45	Holy Family Catholic Academy Wigan, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
46	Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School WIGAN, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
47	St Aidan's Catholic Primary School, Wigan Wigan, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
48	St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School Leigh, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
49	St Jude's Catholic Primary School Wigan Wigan, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
50	St Mary's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
51	Atherton High School Atherton, secondary	0.99	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
52	Outwood Academy Hindley Wigan, secondary	0.98	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
53	St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Wigan WIGAN, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
54	Holy Family Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
55	Leigh St Mary's CofE Primary School Leigh, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
56	Lowton St Mary's CofE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School WARRINGTON, primary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
57	Canon Sharples Church of England Primary School and Nursery Wigan, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
58	St Benedict's Catholic Primary School Hindley Wigan, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59	Highfield St Matthew's Church of England Primary School Wigan, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60	Bickershaw CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.94	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61	Sacred Heart RC Primary School Manchester, primary	0.94	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
62	St John's Church of England Primary School, Abram Wigan, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
63	Winstanley Community Primary School Wigan, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
64	Atherton St George's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
65	Hawkley Hall High School Wigan, secondary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
66	Hindley Green Community Primary School Wigan, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
67	St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School Wigan, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
68	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Wigan, primary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
69	St John's Church of England Primary School, Hindley Green Wigan, primary	0.92	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
70	St John's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.92	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
71	Platt Bridge Community School Wigan, primary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
72	Shevington Vale Primary School Wigan, primary	0.90	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
73	Standish Community High School Wigan, secondary	0.90	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
74	Tyldesley Primary School Manchester, primary	0.90	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
75	Westfield Community School Wigan, primary	0.90	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
76	Bedford High School Leigh, secondary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
77	Chowbent Primary School Manchester, primary	0.89	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
78	Lowton Church of England High School Warrington, secondary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
79	St Peter's Church of England Primary School, Hindley Wigan, primary	0.89	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
80	St Stephen's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary	0.89	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
81	Tyldesley St George's Central CofE Primary School and Nursery Manchester, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82	St Oswald's Catholic Primary School Wigan, primary	0.88	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
83	Lowton West Primary School Warrington, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
84	Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Hindley Green Wigan, primary	0.86	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
85	Holy Family RC Primary School, New Springs, Wigan Wigan, primary	0.85	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
86	Orrell Lamberhead Green Academy Wigan, primary	0.85	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
87	St James' Church of England Primary School Wigan, primary	0.84	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
88	Wood Fold Primary School Wigan, primary	0.84	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
89	Newton Westpark Primary School Leigh, primary	0.83	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
90	St John's CofE Primary School Mosley Common Manchester, primary	0.83	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
91	Leigh CofE Primary School Leigh, primary	0.82	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	The Westleigh School Leigh, secondary	0.82	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
93	Mab's Cross Primary School Wigan, primary	0.81	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
94	St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Lowton Warrington, primary	0.80	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95	St Paul's Church of England Primary School Wigan, primary	0.80	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
96	Dean Trust Wigan Wigan, secondary	0.79	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
97	Cansfield High School Wigan, secondary	0.78	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
98	Ince CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.78	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
99	St Thomas CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.78	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
100	Bryn St Peter's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.77	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
101	Castle Hill St Philip's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.77	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
102	Orrell Holgate Academy Wigan, primary	0.77	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
103	Golborne Community Primary School Warrington, primary	0.76	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
104	Lowton Junior and Infant School Warrington, primary	0.75	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
105	St Wilfrids Catholic Primary School Wigan, primary	0.75	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
106	St Philip's CofE Primary School, Atherton Manchester, primary	0.74	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
107	Aspull Church Primary School Wigan, primary	0.73	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
108	R L Hughes Primary School Wigan, primary	0.73	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
109	Standish Lower Ground St Anne's CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.73	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
110	Leigh Westleigh Methodist Primary School Leigh, primary	0.71	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
111	St Thomas' CofE Primary School, Leigh Leigh, primary	0.71	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
112	Westleigh St Paul's CofE Primary School Leigh, primary	0.70	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
113	St Richard's Roman Catholic Primary School Atherton Manchester, primary	0.69	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
114	Dean Trust Rose Bridge Wigan, secondary	0.65	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
115	St David Haigh and Aspull CofE Primary School Wigan, primary	0.65	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
116	Wigan St Andrew's CofE Junior and Infant School Wigan, primary	0.58	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
117	Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Leigh Leigh, primary	0.49	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 117 schools in Wigan have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Wigan · How we compare schools.