The Holden School
Greater Manchester, Wigan, North West · WN7 4SB
With just 79 pupils, The Holden School is among the smallest independent schools in the Wigan area, offering a notably intimate setting where every child is likely to be known well by staff. This mixed, non-boarding school takes pupils from age 11 and is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Families drawn to a small-scale, personal environment rather than a large institution will find that defining character here. The school is led by Head Mr Helen Birkinhead.
79
Pupils
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Pupils
- 79
- Location
- Greater Manchester, Wigan, North West
- Website
- https://www.theholdenschool.co.uk/
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Mr Helen Birkinhead
Latest results
Attainment 8
2.3
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
11%
National average 47%
Teaching & academics
Headline examination figures sit well below national benchmarks: the average Attainment 8 score is 2.3 against a national average of 46.9, and 11% of pupils achieve grade 5 or above in English and Maths, compared with 47% nationally. Parents will want to explore these results in detail and understand how they relate to the particular profile of pupils the school serves. Given its very small size, individual cohorts can have a marked effect on year-to-year figures.
Ethos & heritage
- Boarding
- No
The last word
A small independent school offering a close-knit setting; prospective families should weigh that personal scale carefully against attainment that currently trails national averages.
The Passmate verdict
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The Holden School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is The Holden School located?
The Holden School is located at Firs Lane, Leigh, Leigh, Greater Manchester, WN7 4SB.
What type of school is The Holden School?
The Holden School is an independent (fee-paying) school in North West.
How many pupils attend The Holden School?
The Holden School has approximately 79 pupils on roll.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.