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catchment.school

Cansfield High School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Cansfield High School is a community secondary school in Wigan , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1036 pupils, and a capacity of 1012 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,036

Pupils

1,012

Capacity

102%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

Cansfield High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Cansfield High School?

The catchment area for Cansfield High School is the geographic zone Wigan uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Wigan publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Secondary school places at Cansfield High School are allocated by Wigan using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

Currently oversubscribed: 1036 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1012 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Wigan publishes the 2027 Cansfield High School numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Wigan before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Wigan catchment area documents →

Cansfield High School: at or above its 1012 place limit

Cansfield High School has a published admission number of 1012 places. 1036 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 102%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1012 places. Wigan allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 25.7% of pupils at Cansfield High School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Wigan.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Wigan publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Wigan school admissions →

Cansfield High School: School Information

Full address
Old Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 9TP
Local authority
Wigan
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
25.7% of pupils
DfE URN
106521

Other Secondary Schools in Wigan

If Cansfield High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Wigan are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Cansfield High School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cansfield High School

What is the catchment area for Cansfield High School?

The catchment area for Cansfield High School is the geographic zone Wigan uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Wigan publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Cansfield High School oversubscribed?

Yes, Cansfield High School currently has 1036 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1012 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Cansfield High School?

Admission to Cansfield High School is managed by Wigan. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Cansfield High School cover?

Cansfield High School is a secondary school in Wigan, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Cansfield High School?

Cansfield High School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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