Helsby High School
Frodsham, WA6 0HY · Cheshire West and Chester · secondary school
Check the area around this school
11th of 20 secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 814 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.4/10 among them, against 5.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.9 · 55 | 30% | 1.66 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.05 · 54 | 25% | 1.35 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.6 · 53 | 10% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Helsby High School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. In 2024/25, 51.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.05 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better 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 4.1 out of 10 among them, against 6.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Arts and Crafts, Classic Film Studies, Cooking, Driving Theory/Vehicle Maintenance, EPQ, and Volunteering clubs. Sports include Boxing, Skills & Fitness, and Football. Trips include the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Languages Exchange programmes, and Artist Workshops in Tuscany.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,211 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,371. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores relative to similar-intake peers? What specific support is available for the EPQ project?
What Ofsted said about Helsby High School
Overview
Helsby High School continues to be a good school, described as a welcoming environment where pupils feel happy and safe. Leaders have crafted a broad curriculum that helps most pupils achieve well and prepare successfully for their next steps in education or employment.
Strengths
- Pupils value the friendships they forge and enjoy a comprehensive careers programme that aids their transition to further education or work.
- Leaders have successfully increased uptake of the English Baccalaureate, with subject leaders carefully sequencing knowledge to help pupils make connections between previous and new learning.
- Staff effectively support pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to learn alongside peers and achieve well.
- The school offers a wide range of clubs and visits, such as trips to Paris, which nurture pupils’ talents and bring learning to life.
- Governors hold leaders to account, and staff feel appreciated and believe they can manage their workload.
Areas to improve
- Some teachers do not teach the curriculum as intended, designing activities that hinder pupils from building knowledge securely over time.
- Leaders have not implemented a phonics programme to support weaker readers, meaning some disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND do not read as well as they should.
- Leaders and governors do not engage with parents as well as they could, leaving some parents feeling their concerns are not dealt with effectively.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and working efficiently with local authorities to ensure pupils receive necessary support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.3 |
| 2024/25 | 47.1 |
| 2025/26 | 46.6 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of WA6 0HY, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT