Formby High School

Who are we?

Formby High School is a heavily oversubscribed 11-18 mixed comprehensive academy with 1,100 students (including over 200 in the Sixth Form). The school’s motto ‘determined to achieve’ is central to our vision for all aspects of school life, in and out of the classroom, and across the community. The school employs over 140 dedicated and highly effective teaching and support staff who work closely with parents to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students.

Located in leafy suburbs close to the centre of Formby village within the Sefton Local Authority of Merseyside, the school campus is conveniently placed for both rail and bus travel. Both Freshfield and Formby train stations are within a few minutes walk and the M57 / M58 motorways are just 10 minutes away. The National Trust Red Squirrel Reserve is a 10 minutes walk and the stunning Sefton coast and dunes system is just a little further. Southport (7 miles), Liverpool (15 miles), Preston (25 miles) and Manchester (40 miles) are all within commutable distance.

How are we doing?

Formby High School was judged to be Good across all areas in the most recent Ofsted inspection (November 2022). The report highlights how our students are ‘inspired to succeed’ and ‘proud to attend their school’.

The school has a proud record of sustained academic excellence. Each year, the overwhelming majority of students achieve excellent GCSE results (including good passes in English and Mathematics), significantly exceeding national expectations. The school’s Sixth Form is inclusive and a wide range of A Level and vocational courses are offered to students. The majority of students perform very well and progress to higher education with many embarking on degree courses at some of the country’s most prestigious universities, including Cambridge and Oxford.

Formby High School is proud of the local, regional and national recognition it has received for its hard work and success both inside and outside the classroom. In July 2016, we were awarded the Echo ‘Secondary School of the Year’ Award, in 2017 we were named the ‘Most Inspirational Secondary School’ at the prestigious Educate Awards and at the same event in 2018 we received the ‘Most Inspirational 16-19 Provider’. We are particularly proud of our most recent accolade ‘Inclusive School of the Year’ at the 2023 national Tes Schools Award.

Through the teaching of all subjects, students develop creative flair, confidence and enquiring minds that enhance their capacity to learn and enjoy. We have also developed close and effective links with our primary schools and the local community to foster a passion and interest in the Arts across all ages, through performances, visits and workshops. This support has been extended through outstanding outreach work in PE and Sport. The school’s excellence in the Arts and Sport has been recognised both regionally (Educate Award for Outstanding Sport in a Secondary School in November 2019) and nationally (TES Award for Creative School of the Year in June 2017).

Formby High School is recognised as one of the most successful schools, not just regionally but nationally, with a reputation for academic excellence and achievement in a wide range of areas. We provide excellent support and CPD for all staff, led by visiting specialists and increasingly by our own in-house expert practitioners, through our ‘CPD Seminar’ initiative, our annual Festival of Education, a range of leadership development opportunities as well as comprehensive ITT and ECT programmes. Inspired and challenged by a dynamic Board of Governors and enjoying close working partnership with parents, the staff of Formby High School refuse to be satisfied with current levels of success and work together tirelessly in the pursuit of continued improvement.

Facilities

The spacious grounds are lined with mature trees and the buildings are a blend of traditional and new. The school benefits from outstanding specialist facilities for the creative arts, as well as a purpose- built Sixth Form Centre (featuring four classrooms, two private study suites and a coffee bar). Since converting to academy status in 2011, the school’s leadership and Governing Body has pursued an ambitious site improvement strategy; significant enhancements have been made to the teaching and learning environment, and there has been an on-going programme of classroom refurbishments, creation of additional classrooms and ICT suites, and the renovation of our Sports Centre, School Hall and Dining Halls. To complement the investment in infrastructure, a rolling programme of ICT enhancements is carefully managed to keep the school at the forefront of education technology.

Curriculum

Formby High School offers a diverse and inspiring curriculum for students across all year groups. We aim to prepare our students for exciting and productive futures in an expanding global society by providing a curriculum which balances academic rigour and knowledge acquisition with creative and enterprising opportunities. This rich, vibrant and inclusive curriculum is delivered by teachers who are highly knowledgeable and passionate about their subject areas.

Our rewards system encourages students to gain recognition for going ‘above and beyond’ the expected, both in and out of class, through homework, classwork, extra-curricular involvement, student leadership, attendance & punctuality and community service. All students are challenged to participate and excel in a wide range of ‘FHSxtra’ activities, including the performing arts, sport, community service and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. The range of school trips offered to students is diverse and includes sports tours to Spain and Italy, field work to Cumbria and North Wales, historical and cultural visits across the UK and Europe, including Auschwitz and Iceland.

The uniqueness of every student is valued and the nurturing of each student’s talents is at the heart of all we do. Central to this ethos is the importance placed on pastoral care and personal development. We pride ourselves on having a comprehensive pastoral structure which supports students from admission at Year 7 through to Sixth Form. We set high expectations for behaviour, conduct and appearance. Students are expected to work hard, respect themselves and respect others. Our students have amongst the highest attendance record of all Sefton secondary schools. This demonstrates a real love of learning and a firm desire to be in school, enjoying all that is on offer. Formby High School students approach their learning with purpose and maturity in an outstanding learning environment which is organised and well equipped throughout all curriculum areas. They follow a curriculum that is exciting, engaging and tailored to the needs of each individual; a curriculum that allows all students to leave with very good qualifications and the confidence and skills to pursue further study or enter the world of work.