Chesterfield High School Review 2026: A Community Engine in Crosby

Chesterfield High School sits at the heart of Crosby, serving a diverse student body of over 1,400 students. As a large academy converter, it operates with the scale and resources to offer a broad curriculum while maintaining a distinct community feel. The school is non-selective in an area dominated by grammar school talk, positioning itself as a comprehensive alternative that prioritizes inclusivity without sacrificing ambition.

Mr Jon Lawes, the Headteacher, leads with a clear philosophy captured in the school's motto: For Everyone the Best. This ethos drives an environment where academic rigour balances with pastoral support. The most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2023 confirmed the school remains Good, noting the calm atmosphere and the respectful relationships between staff and students.

Competition for places is fierce. With nearly 800 applications for approximately 300 places in the last cycle, the school is significantly oversubscribed. This demand reflects its reputation among local families who value its consistent results and stable leadership.

At drop-off, the gates on Chesterfield Road reveal a bustling, energetic campus. The architecture is a functional blend of mid-20th-century blocks and modern additions, including newer sports facilities that serve both the school and the wider Crosby community. It does not pretend to be a heritage site; instead, it feels like a modern, working engine of education.

The atmosphere inside is purposeful. Students move between lessons with a sense of routine and discipline. The sheer size of the school means the corridors are busy, yet there is an underlying order. Behaviour is generally managed well, with a clear system of rewards and sanctions that students understand and respect.

Inclusivity is a tangible part of the character here. The student body is a true reflection of the local area, and the school prides itself on catering to high achievers alongside those who need significant support. The "Mall" area acts as a social hub, while specific zones are designated for different year groups to ensure younger students are not overwhelmed by the scale of the site during break times.

Chesterfield High School delivers solid academic outcomes that consistently align with or exceed national benchmarks. In the 2024 GCSE cycle, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47.0, edging past the England average of 45.9. This indicates that, on average, students achieve just under a grade 5 across their eight key subjects.

The school ranks 1,824th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking) and 14th locally in Liverpool's wider area. This places it in the "national typical" band, reflecting performance that sits comfortably within the middle 35% of schools in England. Crucially, the Progress 8 score of +0.01 suggests that students make average progress from their primary school starting points, neither underperforming nor significantly outperforming expectations based on prior attainment.

In terms of core subjects, 16.7% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. While this figure highlights an area for potential growth compared to selective neighbours, it reflects the school's commitment to offering a wide choice of options rather than forcing all students into the specific EBacc bucket.

The curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced, spanning three years of Key Stage 3 before students select their options. Teaching follows a structured approach, with a focus on "Quality First" instruction that aims to meet the needs of all learners within the classroom.

In the lower years, students cover the full range of National Curriculum subjects. MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) is encouraged, with Spanish and French on offer. The school has historically held specialisms in sport, and this legacy remains visible in the strong PE curriculum and facilities.

At Key Stage 4, the options widen significantly. Alongside traditional GCSEs, the school offers vocational pathways including BTECs in Sport, Health and Social Care, and Business. This flexibility ensures that students who may not thrive in a purely exam-based environment have viable routes to qualification. Parents often cite the dedication of the staff, particularly in the core subjects of English and Mathematics, where intervention sessions and after-school revision classes are standard practice for Year 11s.

Chesterfield High School operates a large and inclusive Sixth Form, retaining a significant number of its Year 11 cohort while attracting applicants from other local schools.

In 2024, A-level results placed the school 1,638th in England (FindMySchool ranking). The grade profile shows 41% of entries achieving A*-B grades, a respectable figure for a non-selective sixth form. The A* rate stood at 3.7%, with 12.2% achieving A grades.

Destinations data reflects the diversity of the student body. In the most recent cohort, 51% of leavers progressed to university. The school successfully supports aspirations for elite institutions; in the 2024 cycle, one student secured a place at Cambridge University from two applications.

For those not pursuing the university route, the school has a strong track record with higher apprenticeships and employment. Approximately 6% of leavers secured apprenticeships, while 28% moved directly into employment, supported by a careers programme that maintains strong links with local employers and training providers in the Liverpool City Region.

Admissions to Chesterfield High School are coordinated by Sefton Council. The school is a highly popular choice and is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 765 applications for 305 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 2.5 applications per place.

Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates. While the school does not publish a fixed catchment map, places are allocated based on strict criteria: firstly to looked-after children, then to those with siblings already at the school, and finally based on distance from the school.

The closing date for secondary applications is 31 October for entry the following September. National Offer Day is 1 March. Given the high demand, living in close proximity or having a sibling link is often essential for securing a place.

Pastoral care is structured around a House system that fosters a sense of belonging within the larger school population. Form tutors act as the first point of contact, supported by Progress Leaders who oversee the academic and social development of each year group.

The school invests in student wellbeing services, with a designated pastoral team that includes non-teaching staff available to support students throughout the day. A dedicated "Student Services" hub provides a space for students to seek help with issues ranging from lost property to anxiety.

Safeguarding procedures are robust. The 2023 Ofsted inspection highlighted that students feel safe and know who to talk to if they have concerns. Bullying is taken seriously; while parents occasionally report isolated incidents common to large secondary schools, the school's response mechanisms are generally effective and restorative.

Extracurricular life at Chesterfield is vibrant, with a particular strength in sport. The facilities are impressive for a state school, featuring a large Sports Hall, a Gymnasium, a Dance Studio, and a floodlit 3G Astro pitch that is a hive of activity every evening.

Sport

Teams field regularly in local and county competitions. Football and netball are major strengths, but the programme is diverse, including opportunities for athletics, badminton, and trampoline. The school encourages participation for all, running social clubs alongside elite squads.

Arts & Culture

The Arts are well-represented, with annual school productions that utilise the main hall's professional-grade lighting and sound systems. Music tuition is available for various instruments, and the school choir performs at local community events.

Clubs & Societies

Beyond sport and performance, students can join the Eco Club, which leads sustainability initiatives across the campus, or the Debate Mate team, which competes regionally. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze and Silver levels, providing students with opportunities for expedition and volunteering. Other clubs include Warhammer Club, Cooking Club, and Bookworms for Year 7.

Trips

The calendar includes residential trips, such as the popular ski trip and geography field trips to the Lake District, ensuring students have opportunities to learn outside the classroom walls.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The site is located on Chesterfield Road in Crosby, well-served by local bus routes connecting to Liverpool and Southport.

For older students, the nearby Crosby & Blundellsands train station is a manageable walk, providing easy access for Sixth Formers traveling from further afield. There is limited on-site parking for parents; drop-off can be congested, so walking or public transport is encouraged where possible.

Large student body. With over 1,400 students, Chesterfield is a large school. While the pastoral systems are strong, quieter students will need to learn to navigate a busy, bustling environment.

Oversubscription. Entry is not guaranteed even for local families. The high number of applications means that those living on the periphery of the usual intake area may miss out. Families should always have a backup option.

Mixed ability teaching. As a comprehensive, classes contain a wide range of abilities. High-flying students will need to ensure they take advantage of extension tasks and higher-tier entry options to remain challenged.

Sixth Form entry. Progression to the Sixth Form is generally expected for students meeting the grade requirements, but external applicants also vie for places, keeping the post-16 environment dynamic and competitive.

Chesterfield High School is a reliable, robust, and caring comprehensive that serves its community well. It offers a grounded alternative to the local grammar system, providing a "Good" education with outstanding facilities and a genuine commitment to inclusivity. Best suited to families in Crosby and Waterloo who want a large, well-resourced school where their child can pursue both academic and vocational success in a real-world environment. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7.