up in Wigan, visited the school to lend his support to the schools anti-bullying campaign. Golborne was recognised as one of 100 schools with the largest increase on performance from 2002 to 2004, based on participation in GCSE exams. The school has continued to improve and 2009 achieved its best ever results with 51% of students achieving 5 good GCSE passes including English and Maths. As far back as 2004, the school had been pursuing arts school status, which would provide for a more focused curriculum enhanced with state-of-the-art equipment. In September 2007, the school became a College of Visual Arts. Recently opened is the Digital Photography Suite which is intended not only for school use but for community groups. The school is to be equipped with its own art gallery. Houses The school is divided into five houses the names of which are derived from the names of famous artists in several fields: Fonteyn – after Margot Fonteyn the ballerina Lennon – after John Lennon the Liverpool songwriter and member of The Beatles Picasso – after Pablo Picasso the artist Shakespeare – after William Shakespeare the playwright Westwood – after Vivienne Westwood the fashion designer References External links Golborne High School 1954 establishments in England Secondary schools in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan Educational institutions established in 1954 Foundation schools in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan