Schools in Wigan

Wigan metropolitan borough has 101 schools, with 70 primary and 13 secondary schools across towns including Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, and Hindley. Wigan Council coordinates admissions for community and voluntary-controlled schools; most use proximity as the primary tiebreaker after looked-after children and siblings. Catchment areas in Leigh and the eastern townships tend to be larger than in Wigan town centre due to lower population density.

Secondary education in Wigan includes a number of high-performing academies and faith schools. Wigan and Leigh College is a significant post-16 provider drawing from across the borough. Several Catholic secondary schools in the borough admit on faith criteria via the council's coordinated scheme but use their own supplementary information forms. Families should check each school's published admissions policy in the council's composite prospectus, available each autumn.