Atherton High School
Free schools · 561 pupils
89% stayed in education · Attainment 8 39.3
Further education
Wigan and Leigh College
- Pupils on roll
- —
- Free school meals
- —
- Year 11 cohort 2025
- —
- Ofsted
- Not covered by Ofsted school inspections
What the data says
Wigan and Leigh College is a 16–19 provider, so there is no Year 11 cohort: this page covers where its students went after 16–18 study and what they achieved.
Among the 1,615 students who left the sixth form in 2023, 15% went to university (Wigan 39%, England 37%), and 2% of level 3 students progressed to one of the most selective universities, against 19% nationally; 15% started an apprenticeship, well above the 7% England average.
A level grades average C, below the England average of B-; 8% of students achieved AAB or better including two facilitating subjects (England 18%). The largest A level subjects are Sociology, Psychology and Mathematics.
Where pupils went after Year 11
Destinations of the 2023 Year 11 leavers, measured the following year: the share in a sustained place for at least two terms. Compared with all state-funded schools in Wigan and England.
The Department for Education has not published destination figures for this school (new school, small cohort or not a state-funded school).
Where students went after sixth form
Destinations of students who finished 16–18 study in 2023, measured the following year.
University (higher education)Further educationOther educationApprenticeshipEmploymentNo sustained destination
| Measure | Wigan and Leigh College | Wigan | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students in the cohort | 1,615 | 3,563 | 541,441 |
| Any sustained destination | 71% | 82% | 79% |
| University (higher education) | 15% | 39% | 37% |
| — most selective universities (top third), of level 3 students | 2% | 17% | 19% |
| Further education | 7% | 4% | 5% |
| Apprenticeship | 15% | 11% | 7% |
| Employment | 34% | 27% | 28% |
| No sustained destination | 23% | 14% | 16% |
GCSE results 2025
No published Key Stage 4 results for this school.
A levels and other level 3 courses
| Measure | Wigan and Leigh College | Wigan | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students at the end of 16–18 study | 4,269 | — | — |
| — of whom A level students | 44 | 1,713 | 261,341 |
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| Average points per A level entry | 30.30 | 36.37 | 35.00 |
| Average grade, best 3 A levels | C+ | B- | B- |
| AAB or better with two facilitating subjects | 8% | 17% | 18% |
| Average grade, applied general courses | — | — | — |
| Average grade, T levels | — | — | — |
A level subjects
Entries as a share of A level students, compared with the share across England.
| Subject | Entries | Share of cohort | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 20 | 45% | 13% |
| Psychology | 13 | 30% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 9 | 20% | 31% |
| Biology | 7 | 16% | 20% |
| English Language and Literature | 7 | 16% | 2% |
| Business Studies | — | — | 13% |
| Chemistry | — | — | 17% |
| Economics | — | — | 13% |
| English Literature | — | — | 11% |
| Politics | — | — | 6% |
| History | — | — | 13% |
| Media Studies | — | — | 4% |
| Physics | — | — | 12% |
Applied, technical and other level 3 courses
| Subject | Qualification | Entries | Share of cohort | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 73 | 100% | — |
| Animal Husbandry: Specific Animals | VRQ Level 3 | 55 | 100% | — |
| Plumbing (Building Work) | VRQ Level 2 | 55 | 100% | — |
| Electrical installation (Buildings / Construction) | VRQ Level 2 | 49 | 100% | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 47 | 100% | — |
| Construction Carpentry / Shopfitting / Erection | VRQ Level 2 | 38 | 86% | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 34 | 77% | — |
| Animal Care (Non-Agricultural) | BTEC Technical Diploma L2 - Band F - PP-DD | 32 | 73% | — |
| Sociology | GCE AS level (All) | 26 | 59% | — |
| Psychology | GCE AS level (All) | 26 | 59% | — |
| Health Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 25 | 57% | — |
| Mathematical Studies | Core Maths Qualifications at Level 3 | 24 | 55% | — |
| Brickwork/Masonry | VRQ Level 2 | 24 | 55% | — |
| Plastering | VRQ Level 2 | 24 | 55% | — |
| Tourism | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 23 | 52% | — |
| Engineering Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 23 | 52% | — |
| Computer Architecture / Systems | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 23 | 52% | — |
| Engineering Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 21 | 48% | — |
| Beauty Therapy | VRQ Level 2 | 21 | 48% | — |
| Animal Care (Non-Agricultural) | VRQ Level 2 | 21 | 48% | — |
| Computing and IT Advanced Technician | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 20 | 45% | — |
| Electrical installation (Buildings / Construction) | VRQ Level 3 | 18 | 41% | — |
| Sports / Movement Science | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 17 | 39% | — |
| Electronic / Electrical Engineering | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 16 | 36% | — |
| Mathematics | GCE AS level (All) | 16 | 36% | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 13 | 30% | — |
| Psychology | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | 13 | 30% | — |
| Theatrical Makeup | VRQ Level 2 | 12 | 27% | — |
| Biology | GCE AS level (All) | 12 | 27% | — |
| Plumbing (Building Work) | VRQ Level 3 | 11 | 25% | — |
| Painting and Decorating | VRQ Level 2 | 11 | 25% | — |
| Chemistry | GCE AS level (All) | 11 | 25% | — |
| Food Preparation (General) | VRQ Level 2 | 9 | 20% | — |
| Sports Studies | OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma at Level 2 | 9 | 20% | — |
| History | GCE AS level (All) | 9 | 20% | — |
| Hairdressing Services | VRQ Level 2 | 8 | 18% | — |
| Media Studies | GCE AS level (All) | 8 | 18% | — |
| Business Studies | GCE AS level (All) | 8 | 18% | — |
| Animal Husbandry: Specific Animals | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 7 | 16% | — |
| Chemistry | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | 7 | 16% | — |
| Mathematics | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | 7 | 16% | — |
| Economics | GCE AS level (All) | 7 | 16% | — |
| Construction Carpentry / Shopfitting / Erection | VRQ Level 3 | 7 | 16% | — |
| Physics | GCE AS level (All) | 6 | 14% | — |
| Sociology | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | 6 | 14% | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 6 | 14% | — |
| Social Science | VRQ Level 3 | — | — | — |
| Biology | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Building / Construction Operations (General / Combined) | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Building / Construction Operations (General / Combined) | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Study Skills | Extended Project (Diploma) | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | GCE AS level (All) | — | — | — |
| English Literature | GCE AS level (All) | — | — | — |
| Politics | GCE AS level (All) | — | — | — |
| Biology | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Business Studies | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Economics | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| English Literature | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Politics | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| History | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Media Studies | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Physics | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | — | — | — |
| Sports Studies | OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate at Level 2 | — | — | — |
| Floristry | VRQ Level 2 | — | — | — |
| Childcare Skills | VRQ Level 3 | — | — | — |
| Floristry | VRQ Level 3 | — | — | — |
| Building / Construction Operations (General / Combined) | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | — | — | — |
Other secondary schools in Wigan
Bedford High School
Community school · 1,111 pupils
74% stayed in education · Attainment 8 45.5
Cansfield High School
Community school · 974 pupils
76% stayed in education · Attainment 8 44.4
Dean Trust Rose Bridge
Academy sponsor led · 692 pupils
73% stayed in education · Attainment 8 39.7
Dean Trust Wigan
Academy sponsor led · 715 pupils
74% stayed in education · Attainment 8 33.1
Fred Longworth High School
Academy converter · 1,283 pupils
82% stayed in education · Attainment 8 45.9
Sources: Department for Education school and college performance tables 2024/2025 (Key Stage 4 and 16–18 results, subject entries, destination measures for 2023 leavers); Get Information About Schools register as at 19 September 2026; Ofsted management information as at 31 August 2026. Small numbers are suppressed by DfE and shown as “—”. How to read these figures.