Ofsted: No Judgement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #13 in Cheshire West and Chester public Top 26% UK

Helsby High School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Mr Martin Hill (Headteacher)

location_onFrodsham, WA6 0HY

language Visit Website phone 01928723551

verified

Ofsted

No Judgement

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,338

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.6

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GCSE Rank

#14 in Cheshire West and Chester

#1,739 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Helsby High School is a Community school secondary school in Frodsham, serving ages 11-18.

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School Summary

Helsby High School is a community school in Frodsham, Cheshire West and Chester, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,211 pupils on roll, of whom 16% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.6, placing the school #14 in Cheshire West and Chester and #1,739 of 4,024 nationally. 46.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 16.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 21 A-level subjects. 36.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 15.2% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 9.9% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,320 nationally), out of 61.8% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: -0.2 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is No Judgement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.0 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

46.6

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

46.90%

Grade 4+ E&M

70.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)16.3%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)63.40%

Triple Science Entry18.60%

EBacc Slot Score13.6 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

47.1

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

51.90%

Grade 4+ E&M

70.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)20.8%

Entering EBacc74.10%

EBacc APS4.44

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.3

Grade 5+ E&M

48.90%

Entering EBacc78.80%

EBacc APS4.55

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66%

EBacc APS4.32

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64%

EBacc APS4.72

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.01

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc51%

EBacc APS4.56

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.24

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS4.78

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

93.5%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2.6%

Employment0.9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3.9%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.2

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.0%

Achieving A*–A15.2%

Achieving A*–B36.0%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate97.2%

A-level subjects offered21

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.22

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate84.10%

Post-18 Destinations 92.6% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 61.8%

handshake Apprenticeships 8.8%

work Employment 22.1%

Not sustained / NEET7.4%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate95.40%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)87.4% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 46.8%

stars Top-Third Universities 9.9%

handshake Apprenticeships 12.6%

work Employment 24.3%

Not sustained / NEET8.1%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate98.3%

Post-18 Destinations 89.8% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 50.9%

handshake Apprenticeships 7.4%

work Employment 27.8%

Not sustained / NEET5.6%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#1,499 / 4,024	#13	#1,739	#1	—	#1,320	#1,027
2025	#984 / 3,948	#8	#1,572	#1	#1,796	#1,320	#1,027
2024	#1,345 / 4,450	#9	#1,403	#1,444	#1,831	#1,320	#1,027
2023	#1,238 / 4,321	#9	#1,521	#1,577	—	—	#1,759
2022	#1,132 / 4,199	#7	#1,181	#1,425	—	—	#1,663
2019	#1,008 / 2,711	#6	#763	#1,408	—	—	—
2018	#592 / 2,537	#3	#559	#774	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

18 July 2023

Inspection Report

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22 May 2018

Inspection Report

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04 February 2014

Inspection Report

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09 January 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2011

Inspection Report

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15 October 2008

Inspection Report

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09 March 2006

Inspection Report

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13 November 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-05-22

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2014-02-04

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

2008-10-15

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

6.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.6%(44 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,235 pupils. During this period, there were 83 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 6.7%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,235	83	6.7%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,244	66	5.3%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,285	102	7.9%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,292	76	5.9%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,302	90	6.9%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,330	71	5.3%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,338	70	5.2%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,343	107	8.0%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,347	73	5.4%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,354	44	3.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,358	44	3.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,373	52	3.8%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,372	17	1.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,373	51	3.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,376	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,376	26	1.9%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,380	43	3.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,327	36	2.7%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,322	43	3.3%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,323	18	1.4%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,328	10	0.8%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,333	18	1.4%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,336	22	1.6%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,343	22	1.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,340	5	0.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,337	19	1.4%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 59 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 57 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 26 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 18 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 14 pupils

Visual Impairment 12 pupils

Physical Disability 9 pupils

Hearing Impairment 6 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

70%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

65%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

21%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree11%

agree39%

disagree24%

strongly disagree22%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree17%

agree39%

disagree27%

strongly disagree12%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree20%

agree29%

disagree17%

strongly disagree17%

don't know1%

not applicable16%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes27%

no73%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree18%

agree23%

disagree23%

strongly disagree29%

Don't know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree26%

agree41%

disagree15%

strongly disagree11%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree23%

agree45%

disagree18%

strongly disagree11%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree27%

agree48%

disagree13%

strongly disagree10%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree52%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree55%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree20%

agree38%

disagree20%

strongly disagree14%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes63%

no37%

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Good

location_on Tarporley, CW6 0BL

emoji_events #1 in LA

Christleton High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH3 7AD

emoji_events #2 in LA

Bishop Heber High School

Expected standard

location_on Malpas, SY14 8JD

emoji_events #3 in LA

Upton-by-Chester High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH2 1NN

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Nicholas Catholic High School

Good

location_on Northwich, CW8 1JW

emoji_events #5 in LA

Weaverham High School

Expected standard

location_on Northwich, CW8 3HT

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Cheshire West and Chester arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Christleton High School

Bishop Heber High School

Upton-by-Chester High School

St Nicholas Catholic High School

Weaverham High School