Helsby High School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Chester Road, Helsby, Frodsham, WA6 0HYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Helsby High School is a secondary school in Frodsham for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 181 schools in Cheshire West and Chester. It ranks 9th of 20 secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2014.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 February 2014, report published 3 March 2014

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 July 2023

Helsby High is a welcoming school. Pupils value the friendships that they forge with their classmates. They feel happy and enjoy their learning. Leaders take effective steps to address behaviour that does not meet their high expectations. Most pupils conduct themselves well. Incidents of bullying are dealt with swiftly by leaders. This helps pupils to feel safe. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to achieve well. Pupils appreciate the support that they receive from their teachers. Pupils, including students in the sixth form, receive a comprehensive careers programme. This helps pupils prepare well for their next steps. Most pupils achieve well. They make a successful transition to further education, apprenticeships or employment. Pupils access a wide range of clubs. For instance, pupils enjoy developing their talents in athletics, netball and football. They relish the opportunities to perform for others through the choir and drama clubs. Pupils value clubs that nurture their talents beyond the classroom. Pupils benefit from a range of visits that help to bring their learning to life. For instance, practising their grasp of the French language during a visit to Paris or learning about rivers in Wales. These visits help to nurture pupils' interests in different subject areas.

What the school should improve

  • Some teachers do not teach the curriculum as it is intended. At times, this means that some pupils do not build on their learning securely. Leaders should support teachers to design learning opportunities that help pupils know and remember more.
  • Leaders do not offer sufficient support for pupils who struggle to read. This means that some pupils do not read as well as they should. Leaders should implement the new phonics programme to help pupils catch up quickly with their reading.
  • Leaders and governors do not engage with parents as well as they could. This affects how well leaders identify and address parental concerns. Leaders and governors should improve how they engage with parents to support effective and productive partnerships between home and school.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

216 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score47.1

47.1, 1 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths51.9%

51.9%, 6.5 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.4%

70.4%, 5.6 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc74.1%

74.1%, 33.6 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.44

4.44, 0.35 above the England average of 4.09.

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

74 students

Average point score per A level entry28.50

28.50, 6.5 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,211 pupils on roll, with places for 1,371

Eligible for free school meals15.5%

15.5%, 11 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.1%

2.1%, 19.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support16.9%

16.9%, 2.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.1%

2.1%, 3.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Helsby High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Heath School3 milesOfsted judgements: GoodAttainment 8: 42.5
Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy4 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to goodAttainment 8: 33.3
The Grange School4 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 36.4
Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy4 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standardAttainment 8: 35.9
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy6 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.4

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Martin Hill
Address
Chester Road, Helsby, Frodsham, WA6 0HY
URN
111440

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.