Wigan ranks tenth in England for schools in 2026

For families, the biggest priority is usually finding an area that will give their kids the best start in life.

The right school can make all the difference to a child's future, meaning that where you choose to buy or rent is about much more than just bricks.

To find out which areas offer the best start in life, the team at Melbourne Business School Online dug into the latest government data.

The study ranked 70 major UK cities on school quality and student outcomes using four key factors: the share of schools rated “Outstanding” (50%), GCSE attainment in English and maths (25%), pupil absence rates (15%), and progression to Level 3 qualifications (10%). Each factor was scored from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the best conditions for learning, using data from Ofsted, ONS, and Public Health England.

Wigan rounds out the top 10 in the 2026 ranking of England’s best areas for schools, with a total score of 50.59. About 10.18% of the town’s schools are rated Outstanding, placing it tenth in the study, while 76.32% of pupils achieve Grade 5 or above in English and maths, ranking 21st nationally.

The pupil absence rate sits at 7.2%, and 17.6% of students progress to Level 3 qualifications, reflecting steady post-16 achievement and consistent learning outcomes.

This ranking offers a look into the top 10 areas in England for schools in 2026, with London taking a clear lead thanks to the highest share of Outstanding-rated schools and strong, consistent attainment. Watford and Chelmsford follow with high GCSE results, while Slough and Norwich complete the top five, each showing strengths in exam performance and post-16 progression. Maidstone and Preston sit mid-table in the top 10, with Cambridge close behind despite leading GCSE results. Woking’s low absence rate secures ninth place, and Wigan rounds out the top 10 with steady performance across all measures.

“Schools play a huge role in a child’s future, and kids today need more than just facts from book,” says a spokesperson from Melbourne Business School Online. “It’s not just about exam results or school ratings. Children also need skills that will help them succeed beyond the classroom, like problem-solving, knowing how to use technology, and the ability to adapt to change.”

“Flexible learning options, including online and blended approaches, can make a big difference. They give students more ways to learn and access to opportunities they might not get otherwise. But it can be tough if students don’t have the right support or the discipline to manage their time effectively.”

“The best schools are those that combine strong academic outcomes with practical, real-world learning and support for every student. When schools get that balance right, children not only do well in exams, but they also leave prepared for the challenges ahead.”

List of the top 20 best areas in England for schools: