Upton Hall School FCJ Review 2026: A Century and a Half of Transformative Education

When Marie Madeleine founded the Sisters of the Faithful Companions of Jesus in nineteenth-century France, she imagined a revolution in girls' education. That vision materialised in 1849 when Upton Hall opened its doors in Wirral, carrying her conviction that education should empower young women to become active architects of a better world. Nearly 175 years later, her legacy reverberates through these halls. Upton Hall School FCJ is a Catholic girls' grammar school serving pupils aged 11 to 18, consistently ranked among the highest-performing schools in England. The school's 2022 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding across all five categories, the highest possible rating, confirming what any visitor immediately senses: this is an institution where excellence and compassion coexist as non-negotiable commitments. With over 1,000 pupils and a particularly strong sixth form of around 200 students, Upton Hall combines academic rigour with authentic pastoral care, rooted in the FCJ values of companionship, hope, gentleness, dignity, excellence, and justice.

Upton Hall School FCJ presents itself as a place where history and dynamism occupy the same space without tension. The school motto, Age Quod Agis (Whatever You Do, Do Well), encapsulates an ethos that refuses complacency. Mrs Andrea Gaunt, Headmistress since 2018, has been instrumental in sustaining and evolving this philosophy. Walking through the corridors of the school, the impact of her leadership is visible: classrooms thrumming with intellectual energy, dialogue between staff and pupils characterised by genuine respect, and an unmistakable sense that every student is known and expected to flourish.

The Catholic character of the school is pervasive but never overbearing. Mass, prayer, and religious education are woven into the week, reflecting the school's founding principles, yet Upton welcomes families from a spectrum of faith backgrounds. The school's Chaplaincy is active and accessible, and the spiritual care extended to all pupils — regardless of denomination — speaks to genuine inclusivity within a strong faith framework. Sacred spaces on campus include the Mary Garden, a beautifully landscaped contemplation area featuring a specially commissioned sculpture by celebrated artist Emma Rodgers. The Peace Garden, anchored by a peace pole, becomes a focal point for the school's annual Remembrance service each November, grounding the community's values in action. Sisters from the Faithful Companions of Jesus remain closely involved with the school, maintaining and developing its ethos in partnership with the Diocese of Shrewsbury.

Strong and positive relationships exist between pupils and staff. Behaviour is consistently excellent, with mutual respect evident in the way pupils address and interact with adults. The school culture champions intellectual curiosity without arrogance, academic ambition without ruthlessness, and individual achievement within a collaborative frame. This balance is rare and deliberately cultivated through leadership, pastoral structures, and the lived experience of the school day.

GCSE Performance

Upton Hall School FCJ ranks 274th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% of schools nationally. Locally, it ranks 1st among Wirral schools, cementing its status as the borough's leading selective secondary. These results reflect consistently high attainment across a cohort of capable pupils.

The average Attainment 8 score in 2024 was 68.2, substantially above the England average of 45.9 points. Progress 8, which measures the progress each pupil makes during secondary education, was +0.91, indicating that students make above-average progress from their starting points. Across the English Baccalaureate suite (comprising English, mathematics, sciences, a language, and either history or geography), 67% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above, well above the England average of 41%. The average EBacc APS (Average Point Score) was 6.58 compared to the England average of 4.08, demonstrating that Upton Hall's pupils are securing strong grades across this challenging combination of subjects.

A-Level Performance

At A-level, the school ranks 624th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 24% of schools nationally and reflecting the strength of sixth-form provision. In 2024, 62% of A-level grades achieved the A*-B range, well above the England average of 47%. This includes 11% A*, 17% A, and 34% B grades. The breadth of the sixth form curriculum — 26 subjects offered — enables pupils to pursue specialist pathways while maintaining breadth. Sciences, mathematics, humanities, and languages all feature as popular and heavily subscribed options, taught by subject specialists with genuine expertise in their fields.

The curriculum at Upton Hall has been deliberately constructed to balance traditional academic rigour with contemporary relevance. English and mathematics are taught in sets from Year 7, enabling differentiated pace while maintaining high expectations across all groups. A broad curriculum in Key Stages 3 and 4 ensures pupils develop subject knowledge and disciplinary thinking across the disciplines. Modern languages feature prominently, with French, Spanish, and German all available at GCSE and A-level. Mandarin Chinese, taught since 2006, attracts particularly strong uptake and has earned the school Confucius Classroom status, recognition of excellence in teaching the language. In Key Stage 3, all pupils encounter Mandarin, creating genuine cultural and linguistic breadth rarely seen in English schools.

Science teaching is supported by well-resourced laboratories and specialist staff. The Lingdale Building, a science wing opened by The Princess Royal in 1999 and named after the school's original location, provides modern facilities for experimental work. Religious Education remains compulsory throughout Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, reflecting the school's Catholic character, and is taught with intellectual integrity — exploring not just doctrine but scripture, moral theology, and the place of faith in contemporary contexts.

Teaching is characterised by high expectations, clear explanations, and active engagement from pupils. Subject knowledge among staff is strong, and planning reflects careful progression of learning. Lessons seen across the school balance input with opportunity for pupils to practise, wrestle with ideas, and develop independence. Homework is used purposefully to extend and consolidate learning, not as busywork. The Progress 8 measure of +0.91 suggests that pupils make above-average progress from their GCSE starting points at sixth form, a clear indicator of effective teaching across the secondary phase.

University Destinations (Sixth Form Leavers)

In the 2024 academic year cohort (110 leavers), 72% progressed to university, whilst 8% began apprenticeships and 12% entered employment. This profile reflects the school's role both as an academic pipeline and as a pathway to diverse post-16 experiences. University destinations are notably strong: pupils secure places at Russell Group universities, with recent cohorts recording attendance at Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Exeter. Evidence of Russell Group progression is reinforced by the school's Oxbridge record. In the measurement period, 1 student secured an Oxbridge place (notably, 1 Cambridge offer from 2 applicants), and 9 students made Oxbridge applications overall. Whilst these numbers are modest in absolute terms, they reflect both the selective nature of the sixth form and the genuine academic calibre it attracts.

The sixth form provides comprehensive careers guidance throughout Years 12 and 13. Work experience is personalised to align with career objectives, and the school invites weekly speakers from universities and employers, creating direct exposure to both academic and professional pathways. Leavers report feeling well-prepared for their next steps, whether at university or into apprenticeships, with specific attention paid to those pursuing vocational or technical routes.

Extracurricular life at Upton Hall is expansive and genuinely inclusive, with opportunities designed both for the specialist and the curious beginner.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music occupies a significant place in the cultural life of the school. Three choirs operate at different levels — Junior Choir, Senior Choir, and Chamber Choir — welcoming pupils of varying vocal experience. The School Orchestra provides opportunity for instrumentalists, and additional instrumental ensembles operate across the year. Crucially, all Year 7 pupils receive free instrumental music lessons, removing financial barriers and enabling hundreds of younger pupils to explore instruments. This investment in musical access is exceptional in state secondary schools. Regular musical performances enrich school assemblies, concerts, and special events; all pupils who choose to participate find performance opportunities. Sixth form students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, the Orchestra, and the Chorus, extending musical engagement into older year groups.

Drama: Highly Professional and Accessible

Drama clubs are popular, and the school's annual production typically runs with two full casts, ensuring maximum participation rather than auditioning pupils into supporting roles. This democratisation of dramatics means that confidence-building and performance opportunity are available to far more pupils than in schools where drama remains the domain of an elite cast. The Drama department has invested in ambitious productions, and pupils report genuine excitement about curriculum drama teaching, which combines practical experience with analytical study of texts and theatrical techniques. In Key Stage 3, pupils explore issue-based drama including self-confidence and bullying, and progress to Shakespeare study. By GCSE and A-level, drama teaching includes both theoretical frameworks and practical application.

STEM: Innovation and Hands-On Learning

The school's heritage as a specialist technology college has endured, with strong science, mathematics, and computing provision. The Lingdale Building houses well-equipped laboratories supporting experimental work in biology, chemistry, and physics. Computing is taught from Key Stage 3 onwards, with access to modern hardware and software. Year 8 pupils engage in an enterprise project producing apple juice from the school orchard, branded under the name Green Lady, combining sustainability, business learning, and practical skills. Beekeeping Society, run as a student-led club, attracts pupils interested in environmental stewardship and biology. The Eco-Club maintains the school's gardens, including the Eco-Garden with its state-of-the-art greenhouse, the solar-dome. The school was awarded the Green Flag Award in 2021, recognition of its environmental commitment and pupil engagement.

Sports: Comprehensive and Competitive

Physical education and sport provide extensive opportunities for fitness and the development of team skills. The PE department offers GCSE and A-level PE, along with a broad range of individual and team sports. A spacious Sports Hall incorporating a fitness suite and dance studio, alongside an all-weather playing surface, supports daily participation. Netball, hockey, and football feature prominently, with large numbers of pupils engaging in recreational and competitive contexts. Gym club, trampolining, and other activities provide pathways for pupils with different interests. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme engages substantial numbers of pupils, with staff enthusiastically facilitating expeditions at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Sports Leaders Award provides opportunity for sixth formers to develop coaching and mentoring skills.

Extended Extracurricular Provision

Beyond the pillars outlined above, pupils engage with numerous subject-led clubs and societies. Geography runs an environmental group, connected to the school's Green Flag status. Business Studies houses an enterprise group for Year 12, developing skills in product creation and market understanding. Mandarin Chinese organises celebrations of Chinese New Year, extending cultural learning beyond the classroom and creating a shared school-wide event. A FCJ values reading discussion group, facilitated by the Chaplain and school librarian with Year 7 and 8 pupils, builds community and intellectual engagement. Visiting speakers and theatre companies enrich the curriculum; recent visits have included Holocaust survivors, Members of Parliament, and the Rise Theatre Company, which performed a piece celebrating the life of Marie Madeleine, the school's foundress.

Charitable fundraising is integral to school life. The community has raised substantial sums for global charities including Change a Child's Life, So the Child May Learn, and FCJ Companions working in the Philippines. These funds have enabled construction of a new school block in Nepal, a library in Kenya, and education projects for young women in the Philippines. The school aspires to take students to visit these projects, deepening the connection between giving and direct service.

Upton Hall School FCJ is a selective grammar school. Entry at Year 7 is determined by performance in the school's entrance examination, set by GL Assessment. The test comprises two papers of 50 minutes each in multiple-choice format, assessing verbal and non-verbal reasoning. This is not an examination of prior knowledge; rather, it evaluates reasoning ability, pattern recognition, and problem-solving. The school does not officially recommend tutoring, yet in practice, preparation for selective school entrance is near-universal among candidates. Parents considering application should be aware of the cultural reality surrounding grammar school entry in Wirral and prepare accordingly.

In 2025, the school received 321 applications for approximately 153 places at Year 7 entry, an oversubscription ratio of 2.1:1. Competition is significant and genuine. Admissions are determined by entrance examination performance after looked-after children and children with EHCPs naming the school. There is no formal catchment boundary; places are allocated purely on merit. An open morning is held in September each year, typically on a Friday morning. The school website contains sample entrance examination materials and detailed admissions information. Sixth form entry requires five GCSEs at grades 5 and above (strong pass) alongside meeting subject-specific entry requirements, which vary by subject. External candidates are welcome to apply to the sixth form.

This is a state school with no tuition fees.

Pastoral care at Upton Hall is excellent and well-established. Behaviour is managed consistently and fairly, with clear expectations embedded in school policy and lived in daily practice. Pupils feel safe and report confidence that there is an adult to whom they can turn when needed. Sixth form mentors support younger pupils in a well-structured learning support programme, creating continuity of care and peer role models.

Emotional wellbeing is taken seriously, and the school invests in counselling and specialist support for pupils facing challenges. In June 2021, the school hosted charities and organisations focused on mental and emotional wellbeing, reflecting proactive identification of student need. Dedicated PSHE/RSHE days across all year groups, supplemented by weekly PSHE lessons, address topical issues and equip pupils with knowledge and strategies for healthy, respectful relationships and emotional regulation. From Year 7 upwards, pupils are invited to record their achievements and wider involvement through Unifrog, building a personalised record of their development outside the classroom.

Attendance is encouraged through strong relationships and clear expectation; the school has achieved persistently high attendance rates. The Inclusion Quality Mark reflects the school's commitment to inclusive practice, ensuring that pupils with additional needs or vulnerabilities are identified and supported appropriately.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm for main school pupils, with sixth form timetables adjusted to reflect extended study and independent learning. The school is located in Upton, Wirral, a quiet residential area. Upton train station is approximately 1.5 miles away, providing access via public transport. Parking is available for families where appropriate. Most pupils walk, cycle, or travel by car; some use public transport. The school website contains detailed information about transport, including bus routes serving the school.

Selective entry and the tutoring culture. This is a grammar school, and competition for places is real. The entrance examination is designed to assess reasoning rather than prior knowledge, yet in practice, tutoring is nearly universal. Families should be prepared for this cultural reality and consider whether they can sustain the investment of time and money that preparation typically entails. Not all parents feel comfortable with this level of early academic pressure.

All-girls environment throughout secondary. Upton Hall educates girls from age 11 through age 18. Some families actively prefer single-sex education; others have concerns about the absence of mixed-gender peer relationships during formative years. This is a matter of genuine choice and individual family values.

Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Daily prayer, regular Mass, compulsory Religious Education, and explicit Gospel values underpin school life. Families of other faiths are genuinely welcomed, yet there is no ambiguity about the school's Catholic foundation and practice. This is not a secular school with Christian values as backdrop.

High expectations can feel intense. Upton Hall pupils are capable, and the school expects them to engage fully with their education and to participate in extra-curricular life. The motto Age Quod Agis reflects genuine expectation that whatever a student undertakes will be done excellently. For some students, this environment is energising; for others, it may feel pressured.

Upton Hall School FCJ is an outstanding school in the fullest sense. Academic results are strong, sixth form destinations are impressive, pastoral care is genuine and consistent, and the curriculum balances tradition with innovation. The school's Catholic character is lived rather than merely stated, creating an authentic community rooted in the vision of Marie Madeleine and the FCJ values. Pupils emerge as confident, intellectually engaged young women equipped for university, apprenticeship, or employment. The school is particularly well-suited to academically able girls who thrive in a purposeful, values-based environment and who welcome strong pastoral care alongside academic challenge. Best suited to families seeking a selective, academically excellent school where faith is lived authentically and girls are encouraged to develop their talents to the fullest. The principal challenge is securing entry, as competition is significant and genuine; families should prepare realistically and early.