Bellerive FCJ Catholic College Review 2026, Sefton Park all girls to 16, mixed sixth form, Catholic and academically purposeful

A Liverpool Catholic girls’ school with a long institutional memory and a very modern admissions reality. Bellerive FCJ Catholic College traces its FCJ roots in the city to 1844, and its story includes everything from a purpose-built underground passage in 1908 to wartime damage in 1940.

Today the shape is clear: girls in Years 7 to 11, then a sixth form that welcomes external students and operates as mixed provision. Mr P Forsey became headteacher on 01 September 2024, which matters for families assessing direction and momentum after a leadership change.

For parents, the headline is fit. This is a faith-rooted school that is explicit about Catholic identity and practice, but also states that it welcomes students from different backgrounds and beliefs. Academically, outcomes sit around the middle of the England distribution at GCSE on FindMySchool rankings, with a more challenging picture at A-level. That combination tends to suit families who want a clearly structured, values-led secondary education and who will engage proactively with curriculum choices and post-16 pathways.

Bellerive’s character is shaped by two overlapping narratives: the FCJ tradition and a deliberate focus on calm, respectful conduct. The Catholic Schools Inspectorate’s inspection in April 2024 describes a school where FCJ values, including companionship, excellence, hope, justice, dignity, and gentleness, show up as visible norms in how students treat one another and how staff frame expectations. For families who want a faith-informed moral vocabulary that is used consistently, this matters more than any marketing strapline.

The day-to-day culture is also strongly associated with safety and trust. Students are encouraged to seek help early, and the tone is one where relationships with staff are positioned as a central protective factor. It is worth noting that the school’s own materials use the line “Strong in action, gentle in manner” as a public-facing statement of intent, which aligns neatly with the CSI emphasis on dignity and composed behaviour. (In practice, parents should still ask the practical questions about boundaries, sanctions, and how incidents are followed up, because ethos only becomes meaningful when it is applied consistently.)

History adds texture without overwhelming modern priorities. The College History timeline on the school website anchors Bellerive in a sequence of Liverpool sites and buildings, including the purchase of Bellerive in 1896, the acquisition of Culmore in 1906, and the underground passage constructed in 1908. That kind of detail signals a school that thinks of itself as long-standing and civic, not newly assembled. For parents, the implication is not nostalgia, it is continuity: schools with deep roots often have clearer traditions around uniforms, routines, and community expectations.

Leadership context is particularly relevant this year. Mr P Forsey is the current headteacher, and governance records show his appointment as ex officio governor from 01 September 2024. A leadership change often brings subtle shifts in curriculum sequencing, behaviour routines, or sixth form growth strategy. Families considering Year 7 entry should use open events and transition communications to understand which parts of school life are stable tradition and which parts are current strategic focus.

Bellerive FCJ Catholic College is ranked 1,906th in England for GCSE outcomes in the FindMySchool dataset, and 15th within Liverpool. That placement reflects solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile) rather than an elite or top-decile profile. These are proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official data.

At GCSE, the Attainment 8 score is 47.4 and the Progress 8 score is -0.37. The Progress 8 figure indicates that, on average, pupils make below-average progress from their starting points compared with similar pupils nationally. The practical implication is that outcomes may be more variable by subject and cohort than parents expect from the school’s strong pastoral narrative, so families should pay attention to how option choices are guided at key stage 4 and what targeted support looks like for pupils who fall behind.

EBacc indicators also matter for curriculum planning. The average EBacc points score is 4.02, and 14.7% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above across the EBacc measure. For parents, the implication is not that a pupil must follow EBacc, it is that you should ask how the school balances breadth with depth, and how it supports pupils aiming for more academic pathways alongside those taking more applied routes.

A-level performance is a weaker area. Bellerive is ranked 2,302nd in England for A-level outcomes, and 35th in Liverpool. This sits in the lower band in England, meaning below-average outcomes in that dataset. These are proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official data.

Grade distributions show 0% at A*, 3.7% at A, 25.0% at B, and 28.7% at A* to B. For sixth form families, the implication is straightforward: subject choice and entry requirements will matter a great deal, and the most suitable pathway may be a blend of A-level and vocational options rather than an all A-level programme.

Curriculum intent is presented with a clear Catholic framing. The school states that Religious Education and formation are integral, with emphasis on collective worship and liturgical experiences at key points in the church calendar. The CSI report supports a picture of strong specialist teaching in Religious Education, with staff expertise and high expectations in that department. For families who value religious literacy and thoughtful engagement with ethical questions, this is a tangible differentiator.

At subject level, the school’s department pages repeatedly emphasise sequencing and progression, including a strong focus on oracy and structured development of reading and writing. This sits well alongside external comments about reading culture, including regular reading and targeted support for pupils who have fallen behind. The implication for parents is that literacy is treated as a whole-school priority rather than a narrow English department responsibility.

Key stage 4 decision-making is framed as guided choice. The Year 9 pathways information indicates a common core with English, mathematics, science and Religious Education, alongside option blocks and additional support for pupils who need it. The practical question for families is how sharply the school differentiates guidance by aspiration and starting point, especially given the negative Progress 8 score. A well-structured options process can materially change outcomes for pupils who need either a more academic spine or a more applied, confidence-building route.

In the sixth form, the course menu spans A-levels and BTEC options, including subjects such as Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, and BTEC Sport and Performing Arts. Entry requirements are published by subject, and they are specific. For example, A-level Mathematics requires a grade 6 in GCSE Maths, while Further Maths requires grade 8 and concurrent study of A-level Mathematics. This matters because the A-level outcomes suggest that matching student readiness to course demands is crucial. Strong sixth forms tend to be uncompromising about entry thresholds; Bellerive’s published requirements indicate that the school is attempting to set that boundary explicitly.

Bellerive’s sixth form destination profile points to a broad set of next steps rather than a narrow elite university pipeline. For the 2023 to 2024 leavers cohort (size 53), 66% progressed to university, 6% started apprenticeships, 11% entered employment, and 2% went to further education.

For families, that mix is often reassuring. It suggests that careers guidance is not focused solely on UCAS, and that students who want apprenticeships or work routes are part of the mainstream narrative rather than treated as a side story. The school’s sixth form messaging also emphasises one-to-one support with UCAS applications and a pastoral model built around form tutors and personalised guidance.

Oxbridge data is modest. Over the measurement period, three students applied to Oxford or Cambridge and none received offers. This is not unusual for a sixth form that welcomes a mixed cohort with a wide range of routes, but it does clarify positioning: Bellerive is better understood as a strong local sixth form for applied and academic pathways rather than as an Oxbridge-focused centre.

For Years 7 to 11 families, the most important “next step” question is often not university, it is confidence, safety, and a credible GCSE foundation. Teaching quality and curriculum coherence matter here, and both Ofsted’s 2021 inspection report and the CSI 2024 report describe a school with orderly classrooms, respectful conduct, and a curriculum that aims to support disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The implication is that, for many pupils, the school is capable of building the habits that make post-16 routes viable, even if headline A-level outcomes are not among the strongest in England.

Entry is competitive and faith-informed. Bellerive’s admissions information states that families must complete both the Liverpool local authority application and the school’s own admissions application, with the closing date for submission stated as 31 October 2025 for Year 7 entry in September 2026. The school also indicates that a Baptismal or other faith certificate is required to support the school application.

Liverpool’s published admissions timetable confirms that applications opened on 01 September 2025, closed on 31 October 2025, and offers were issued on National Offer Day, which the council notes as Monday 03 March 2026 (because 01 March fell on a weekend). For parents reading this in January 2026, those deadlines are already in the past for September 2026 entry. The implication is that planning for the next cycle should start early in the autumn term of Year 6, especially for Catholic schools where supplementary evidence is required.

Open events follow a predictable seasonal rhythm. The Year 7 open evening for the September 2026 intake took place on Thursday 09 October 2025, indicating an early October pattern for lower school entry. Sixth form recruitment runs on a different timetable, with an open evening held on Thursday 20 November 2025 for that cycle. Families should treat these dates as indicative of typical months rather than as rolling guarantees, and should check the school’s calendar each year.

For parents who are deciding between Catholic secondaries, it is also worth reading the oversubscription criteria carefully, because evidence requirements can vary meaningfully by category. Bellerive’s published admissions policy documents set out faith-related priorities and the kind of proof required.

From a demand perspective, the most recent published admissions data available shows 517 applications for 178 offers, a ratio of about 2.9 applications per offer, and an oversubscribed status. The practical implication is that realistic school preference planning matters. Parents should use FindMySchoolMap Search to check travel practicality and compare likely alternatives, then use the Local Hub comparison tools to place local options side by side.

Pastoral support is positioned as a central strength, and external reports give that some weight. A school culture where pupils trust staff, ask for help early, and feel safe tends to correlate with consistent attendance and better engagement, especially through the pressure points of Year 9 options and GCSE preparation.

The CSI report also emphasises the moral framing of behaviour, using language of dignity, restraint, and care for others. For families, the implication is that the behaviour approach is likely values-led rather than purely punitive, which can suit pupils who respond well to clear expectations and relational accountability.

Safeguarding systems are explicitly described as effective in the most recent Ofsted inspection report, which is an important baseline for any parent decision.

Bellerive is unusually concrete about extracurricular structure, which makes it easier for parents to judge whether provision is real and accessible. Clubs and support sessions run at lunchtime and after school, and the school publishes a timetable for Autumn term 2025 to 2026.

The details are varied and specific. In sport, the published programme includes football, netball, badminton, a running club, and a fitness suite session, plus boccia for invited students. In the arts, there is an Art Club for Years 7 to 9, choir in Loyola Hall, a band session, Dance Club, Drama Club, and production rehearsals for students involved in performances. The implication is that pupils can find a lane even if they are not aiming for representative sport, because several activities are open to broad year ranges.

Academic and enrichment activities are also visible. The extracurricular timetable lists Science Club for Year 7, Eco Club across Years 7 to 11, a Minecraft Club for Years 7 to 9, and subject-focused revision and coursework support sessions across many departments. The library programme includes a student librarian role for Years 8 to 13, an after-school study club, a craft club, and a book club titled Bookies & Cookies. These specifics matter because they signal a school that expects pupils to use structured time well, which can be particularly beneficial for pupils who need routine and predictability to stay on top of workload.

There is also a distinctive curriculum-linked enrichment slot. The school states that every Monday morning is dedicated to enrichment activities, running in the first two periods, with half-termly group focuses and an outcome at the end of each half term. That kind of built-in programme tends to widen participation, because it does not rely solely on after-school attendance and transport availability.

The published school day begins with registration at 8.45am and lessons run through to 3.20pm, with a morning break and a lunch period. For families managing travel logistics, this schedule is important because punctuality expectations are built into a relatively traditional day structure rather than an extended day model.

Lunch arrangements are clear for younger pupils. Years 7 to 11 are not permitted to leave site during the day; they can bring a packed lunch or use school catering. The school describes multiple catering outlets including the main Dining Room, The Food Cube, O’Neill Deli, and The Bistro for sixth form.

Transport support is a notable practical feature. The school states that it operates subsidised dedicated bus services, prioritised for Year 7 and designed to support pupils travelling from across Liverpool. For parents outside walking distance, the implication is that a place at Bellerive does not automatically require complex public transport changes, but families should still verify routes and timings each year.

• Admissions evidence and deadlines. Entry involves both the local authority application and the school’s own form, with a stated closing date of 31 October 2025 for the September 2026 Year 7 intake. Families who miss supplementary requirements at Catholic schools can find themselves disadvantaged even when the local authority form is submitted correctly.

• GCSE progress picture. The Progress 8 score of -0.37 indicates below-average progress from starting points. That does not mean pupils cannot thrive here, but it does mean parents should ask how intervention is targeted and how option choices are guided for different learner profiles.

• Post-16 outcomes are mixed. A-level ranking sits in the lower band in England in the FindMySchool dataset, and top grades are limited in the published grade distribution. Sixth form can still be a strong fit, particularly where students match entry requirements and select well-aligned programmes, but it is not positioned as an elite academic sixth form in these numbers.

• Faith is central, but not exclusive. Catholic identity and practice are part of daily life, and families should be comfortable with that. The school also states that students from all walks of life and different faith backgrounds are welcome, so the best fit is often families who value a Catholic framework without expecting uniformity of belief.

Bellerive FCJ Catholic College is a values-led Catholic girls’ school with a long history and a clear practical offer for Liverpool families, including dedicated transport support and a structured enrichment programme. Its strongest case is the combination of calm culture, faith-informed formation, and a broad set of extracurricular and study supports. Best suited to families who want a Catholic ethos, who will manage admissions requirements carefully, and who want a school where conduct, safety, and pastoral relationships are taken seriously. For sixth form, the best fit is students with realistic course choices that align with published entry requirements and a clear plan for university, vocational routes, or employment.