Formby High School

About Formby High School

Formby High School’s Progress 8 score of 0.43 places it well above the Sefton local authority average of -0.59, a gap of over a full grade per pupil that marks it out as the highest-performing secondary in the borough. In fact, it ranks first out of 14 schools in Sefton on this measure, and sits in the top 25% nationally. The school is also significantly oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 417 applications for 163 places, with 200 families listing it as their first preference. That level of demand makes sense given the results, but it also means competition for places is fierce — only 162 first-preference offers were made. The school’s attainment 8 score of 54.4 is strong, and 75.5% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, a key benchmark. With a capacity of 989 but 1,103 pupils on roll, Formby is operating above its official limit, which suggests the school is both popular and managing growth carefully.

Academically, the school’s performance is consistently strong across the board. Its Progress 8 banding is rated ‘Above average’, and the breakdown shows particular strength in open subjects (0.78) and English (0.51), while maths progress is more modest at 0.13. The EBacc average point score sits at 4.6, and 30.7% of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. At sixth form, the picture is similarly positive: the value-added score of 0.12 is in the ‘Average’ band, with students achieving an average of B- per entry and 27.1% securing AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2022 rated it Good across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth-form provision. This is a step down from its previous Outstanding rating in 2008, but the inspection report noted no specific areas of weakness, and the school has held a Good rating consistently since.

Formby High School offers a broad range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports provision is extensive, with rugby, netball, dance, and athletics among the options, while extracurricular clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, and a coding club. The school has a dedicated SEN unit and supports pupils with a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and physical disabilities. With an above-average Progress 8 score and a strong sixth form, this school is well suited to academically ambitious families who want a proven track record of adding value. The oversubscription means that families living closest to the school or with siblings already attending will have an advantage in the admissions process. For those considering the sixth form, the B- average grade per entry and good value-added score suggest students make solid progress from GCSE to A-level.

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