In April, governors at Standish Community High School will vote on turning one of the best secondary schools in Wigan into a Multi-Academy Trust with Southlands High School in Chorley, taking our community school out of Local Authority control. We urge the governors to carefully consider this decision, and the opinions of the community as a whole, and, ultimately, to reject the proposal.

The three reasons we oppose Standish becoming a Multi-Academy Trust:

1.   Academy status was originally meant for failing schools. Standish isn’t failing and is a credit to the community of Standish.

2.   The school has wonderful sports facilities and grounds. The playing fields are protected while it remains a Community School. If Standish High School were to become a Multi-Academy Trust, those protections are considerably weakened.

3.   Standish Community High School answers to the Community of Standish and the Local Authority. An Academy answers to a Board of Trustees which our community will have no say in. Standish Community High School is one of the largest employers in the village, employing approximately 150 staff and plays a vital role in the Community. The Board of Governors must listen to the voices of the people of Standish in making this decision.

Please sign our petition to show your support for keeping the Community in Standish Community High School.