Stanley High School
Southport, PR9 9TF · Sefton · secondary school
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15th of 18 secondary schools in Sefton we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 880 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8/10 among them, against 1.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.5 · 22 | 46% | 1.00 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.71 · 8 | 38% | 0.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.8 · 23 | 15% | 0.36 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Stanley High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 30.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.71 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.5 out of 10 among them, against 1.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Chess, Latin, STEM, Eco, Culture Vultures, Rising Stars Drama, Rocket, and Sci-Fi Film Clubs. Sports include football, rounders, basketball, athletics, netball, cricket, and badminton, alongside dance and choir. Trips include Cadburys World Experience in Birmingham and Harry Potter Studios in Watford. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 783 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support
What Ofsted said about Stanley High School
Overview
Stanley High School is undergoing significant change following a period of challenge, with the report noting that "the tide is beginning to change" under new leadership. While pupils feel safe and show a "growing sense of belonging," inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and behaviour management currently hinder academic attainment. The inspection highlights that while the curriculum is ambitious, its implementation varies, and oversight systems require strengthening to accelerate improvement.
Strengths
- Pupils "feel safe in school" and benefit from "effective support," with staff demonstrating they "care for them."
- The school has designed a "broad, ambitious and well-ordered curriculum" with clear knowledge goals in most subjects.
- There is a "raft of clubs on offer," including sporting and creative activities, which help pupils develop confidence.
- The school "identifies pupils’ additional needs swiftly" and has started to strengthen work around reading.
- Classroom routines are "beginning to embed," and staff are positive about new behaviour management systems.
Areas to improve
- Ensure teachers have the "necessary subject pedagogical knowledge" to deliver the curriculum consistently and help pupils apply their knowledge.
- Implement effective processes for "systematically check[ing] pupils’ understanding" to identify and address gaps in learning.
- Strengthen careers provision and ensure staff are fully supported to adapt teaching for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.1 |
| 2024/25 | 40.6 |
| 2025/26 | 40.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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