SchoolScoresHelsby High School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Chester Road, Helsby, Frodsham, WA6 0HY
01928 723551 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 February 2014.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 19 July 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
216 pupils in this year group.
52% — 10 points above the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 52% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 47.1 | 44.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
222 pupils in this year group.
96% — 5 points above the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 96% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 37% | 32% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 24% | 15% | 13% |
| Further education college | 28% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 96% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
74 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 15% | 35% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 36% | 62% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 28.5 | 38.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
21 subjects, 164 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 19 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 17 | 0% | 18% | 14% |
| Business Studies:Single | 16 | 0% | 13% | 16% |
| Mathematics | 16 | 0% | 13% | 40% |
| History | 13 | 0% | 8% | 23% |
| Sociology | 11 | 18% | 36% | 20% |
| Biology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 8 | 0% | 25% | 26% |
| English Literature | 8 | 0% | 50% | 23% |
| Geography | 8 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Physics | 7 | 0% | 14% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 6 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), English Language, Economics, French, Chemistry, Design and Technology (Product Design), Government and Politics, Religious Studies, Mathematics (Further).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
118 students in this year group.
87% — 3 points below the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 87% | 90% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 28% | 25% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 87% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
106 students in this year group.
58% — 13 points below the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 58% | 71% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 13% | 35% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 56% | 58% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cheshire West and Chester. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 199 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 189 |
| Of those, offered a place | 189 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 273 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 19th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.8% | 3.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9% | 12.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 7.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Lower than 18% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.1% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Lower than 46% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 22.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.16% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 15th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 27% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 20th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 2% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 11.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Questions parents ask
What is Helsby High School's Ofsted rating?
Helsby High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 February 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 19 July 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Helsby High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 52% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Helsby High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 189 families put Helsby High School as their first choice for 199 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 189 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 111440.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.