Formby High School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Freshfield Road, Formby, Liverpool, L37 3HWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Formby High School is a secondary school in Liverpool for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 113 schools in Sefton. It ranks 5th of 40 secondary schools in Liverpool. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 2 November 2022, report published 12 December 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 November 2022

The pupils describe Formby High School as a welcoming and friendly school where people's differences are celebrated. Pupils settle into school quickly and soon become part of the school community. Pupils are inspired to succeed. Pupils told inspectors that they are proud to attend the school. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' learning and behaviour. They have cultivated a kind and considerate school community where pupils, and students in the sixth form, feel safe and happy. Pupils benefit from positive relationships with their teachers. Classrooms are calm places to learn. In lessons, pupils listen carefully to teachers' instructions and they work hard. Leaders deal with bullying and name-calling effectively. Pupils are confident that leaders and staff will listen to their concerns and are swift to act. Pupils appreciate the care and guidance from the school's pastoral team. Leaders have developed a comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities. These happen before and after school. Pupils and students spoke enthusiastically about taking part in a range of sporting, arts and reading activities, for example the teen book club and skateboard club.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, assessments do not inform teachers how well pupils are learning because they are not yet fully matched to the intended curriculum. As a result, pupils can miss learning something important without teachers knowing. Leaders should assure themselves that pupils are learning all the essential knowledge set out in their curriculum plans.
  • Leaders' high ambitions for the PSHE curriculum are not realised because the curriculum has not been linked together thoughtfully enough. As a result, some pupils, including students in the sixth form, are not as well prepared for life beyond school as they could be. Leaders should assure themselves that the PSHE curriculum is being structured and delivered just as effectively as in other subjects.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

187 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score54.3

54.3, 8.2 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths66.3%

66.3%, 20.9 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths78.6%

78.6%, 13.8 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc18.7%

18.7%, 21.8 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.53

4.53, 0.44 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

77 students

Average point score per A level entry39.02

39.02, 4.02 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,157 pupils on roll, with places for 989

Eligible for free school meals12.7%

12.7%, 13.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.8%

4.8%, 16.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.9%

15.9%, 1.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan7.3%

7.3%, 1.3 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Formby High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Range High School1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.2
Birkdale High School4 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 51.9
St Michaels Church of England Academy5 milesOfsted: InadequateNot published
Greenbank High School5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 50.6
Holy Family Catholic High School5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.8

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
FORMBY HIGH SCHOOL
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Alex Wood
Address
Freshfield Road, Formby, Liverpool, L37 3HW
Local authority
Sefton
URN
137436

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.