SchoolScoresGarswood Primary and Nursery School
Community school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Hamilton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 0SF
01744 678290 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 27 June 2017.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 17 July 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding but had some concerns, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
69 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Wigan comparisons use the 33 of its 70 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 37 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Wigan | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 33 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wigan. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 9th highest of 33 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wigan. Higher than 76% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 6th highest of 33 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wigan. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wigan. Higher than 89% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 52% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 41 parents who had raised a concern Joint 4th highest of 31 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wigan. Higher than 89% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 81% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 33 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wigan. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Wigan figures pool parents at the Wigan schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
70% — 8 points above the St. Helens average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 70% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 10% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 93% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 90% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 80% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in St. Helens. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 27 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 34 |
| Of those, offered a place | 27 (79%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 44 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.3
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 61st highest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.3% | 30.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 36th highest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 28th highest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.4% | 16.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 58th highest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 7.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Lower than 98% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Lower than 96% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 12.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 87% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.2 | 20.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 62nd highest of 70 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 12% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.2 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 16th highest of 66 state primary schools in Wigan. Higher than 72% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 19.6% | 14.2%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Rectory CofE Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 27% met expected standard (KS2)
- R L Hughes Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bryn St Peter's CofE Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Nicol Mere School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 97% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Oswald's Catholic Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Aidan's CofE Primary School Billinge 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Billinge Chapel End Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Haydock English Martyrs' Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- St James' CofE Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Thomas CofE Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Garswood Primary and Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Garswood Primary and Nursery School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 27 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 17 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding but had some concerns, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.
How did Garswood Primary and Nursery School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 70% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 8 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Garswood Primary and Nursery School?
100% of the 69 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Garswood Primary and Nursery School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Garswood Primary and Nursery School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 34 families put Garswood Primary and Nursery School as their first choice for 27 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 27 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 104778.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.