Standish Community High School Review 2026: The Top-Ranked Choice in Wigan

Standish Community High School occupies a significant place in the educational landscape of Wigan, serving a large cohort of 1,300 students. As the top-ranked school in the local area for GCSE outcomes, it has established a reputation for academic consistency and strong community ties. The school operates as part of the Mosaic Learning Trust, having converted to academy status in 2017, a move that brought collaborative leadership and shared resources to the Kenyon Road campus.

The current head teacher, Mrs. Lindsay Barker, leads a team that has maintained the school's position as a highly sought-after institution. This popularity is evidenced by recent application figures; in the 2025/26 cycle, the school received 559 preferences for its 260 available places. While the school serves a broad mixed-ability intake, its results frequently exceed regional and England averages, making it a cornerstone of the Standish community.

The atmosphere at Standish Community High School is one of purposeful activity. Housed in an extensive campus that has undergone major building and remodelling since its founding in 1978, the school feels expansive yet orderly. There is a palpable sense of local pride; known locally as Standish High, the school maintains deep roots within the village of Standish and the wider Wigan borough.

The school's ethos is built around the motto Be Outstanding. This vision is translated into three key aims for students: to become successful learners, confident individuals, and responsible citizens. The latest Ofsted monitoring from October 2021 confirms that the school remains Good, with a vibrant and caring environment where academic achievement and personal development go hand in hand.

As the lead school within the Mosaic Learning Trust, Standish benefits from a wider network of educational expertise. This partnership has led to a focus on "every student, every subject, and every grade," ensuring that the specific needs of individuals are addressed within the larger school community.

Academic performance is a headline strength for this school. In the most recent published data, Standish Community High School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.4, which sits well above the England average of 46.2. This metric reflects the consistently high grades students achieve across a suite of eight key subjects.

Ranked 1,502nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school holds the 1st position among all secondary schools in Wigan. This performance reflects a solid national standing, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (specifically the 32nd percentile).

The school's Progress 8 score of -0.07 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with their starting points from primary school. While 13.2% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at grade 5 or above, the average EBacc point score of 4.39 remains higher than the England average of 4.08, suggesting strong performance in the core academic pillars of English, mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities.

Teaching at Standish is characterized by high expectations and a structured curriculum. The school has long been recognized as a specialist Language College, a heritage that remains visible in its unique replica continental high street. This facility, complete with shops and a bank, provides an immersive environment for students to practice their modern foreign language skills.

The curriculum is broad, offering traditional academic subjects alongside creative and technical options. In Year 9, students receive extensive guidance to help them select their GCSE pathways, ensuring their choices align with their future career ambitions. Teachers use retrieval and application techniques to ensure learning has "stick-ability," challenging pupils' thinking while supporting those who find certain concepts more difficult.

STEM: Innovation and Technology

STEM subjects are a significant pillar of school life. The school features well-resourced science, art, and design technology facilities that were significantly expanded in the early 1990s and have been continuously updated. The science department, in particular, emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge and skills that stretch pupils' understanding beyond the standard national curriculum. This focus ensures that students are well-prepared for technical careers or further study in an increasingly digital economy.

Pastoral care is organized through a dedicated Student Services department, which operates from its own building on campus. This "hub" serves as a central point where students can access confidential support, information, advice, and guidance. The department works alongside pastoral leaders to ensure that the personal family issues, bereavement, or well-being concerns of students are addressed promptly.

Support for student wellbeing is proactive, featuring Wellbeing Ambassadors and STAR groups that focus on building confidence and skills for life. Positive Behavior Groups complement the school’s behavior policy, focusing on coping strategies and building positive relationships. Formal observations confirm that behavior is calm and consistent, with students showing high levels of engagement and attendance.

Extracurricular life is vibrant, with high uptake across all levels and disciplines. The school offers a wealth of opportunities that promote personal growth, ranging from the Sports Council and Student Council to more specialized roles like Reading Mentors and Student Librarians. Students are encouraged to explore their talents in a supportive environment, whether through charity fundraising or community events.

One of the most popular programs is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which sees significant student participation. The English department also enriches the curriculum through theatre experiences, recently organizing trips to see adaptations of Macbeth and An Inspector Calls. These activities are designed to foster a sense of curiosity and prepare students for the next stages of their lives.

Standish Community High School is a state school with no tuition fees. However, it is consistently oversubscribed, making admission a significant hurdle for families. For the September 2026 entry, the closing date for applications was 31 October 2025. National Allocation Day for secondary school places is 2 March 2026.

Applications are coordinated by Wigan Council. For the 2025/26 intake, the school admitted over its determined admission number of 260 due to high demand, processing 559 preferences on time. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends. Proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place; distances vary annually based on applicant distribution.

The compulsory school day begins at 8:50am and concludes at 3:05pm, totaling 31.25 hours per week. A typical day consists of five one-hour periods, with a fifteen-minute break in the morning and a forty-five-minute lunch period.

While the school does not have its own sixth form, it has strong transitional links with Wigan Careers Service to provide information, advice, and guidance for post-16 education. The school also offers intervention workshops for Year 11 students to support them through their final examinations.

Fees & Financial Aid

Standish Community High School is a state-funded academy, and as such, there are no tuition fees. Families are responsible for standard associated costs such as school uniforms, equipment, and optional extracurricular trips or activities. The school provides support for students eligible for Pupil Premium, which can help cover the costs of certain educational essentials and enrichment opportunities.

• Significant Oversubscription: With over two preferences for every place in recent years, securing entry is a primary challenge. Proximity to the school is often the deciding factor for those without sibling priority.
• No On-Site Sixth Form: Students must transition to a different provider at age 16. While local colleges are excellent, families should prepare for this transition during Key Stage 4.
• Large School Environment: With 1,300 students, the school is a bustling community. The Student Services hub helps provide a smaller-school feel for those needing extra support.
• Language Specialism: The unique language facilities are a major draw, but students who do not have a strong interest in modern foreign languages may find the school's heritage in this area less relevant to their personal interests.

Standish Community High School is a high-performing, community-focused institution that consistently delivers results at the top of the local league tables. It successfully balances academic rigour with a broad extracurricular programme, making it the premier choice for families in the Wigan area. Best suited to students who thrive in a large, ambitious environment and who live within the immediate Standish vicinity. The main hurdle is entry; once secured, the education is exceptional.