Upton-by-Chester High School, Chester

In its own words: "Upton-by-Chester High School is a vibrant and ambitious 11-18 school serving almost 1,800 learners, including nearly 400 in our Sixth Form. Located just over two miles from the centre of Chester, we are proud to be a school in which young people are encouraged to aim high, work hard and make the most of the opportunities available to them."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Upton-by-Chester High is a thriving, vibrant school with a proud record of academic excellence and success. Combined with our exceptional extra-curricular opportunities, we inspire our learners to flourish, no matter what their strengths and aptitudes. We are fully inclusive and open to young people of all abilities."

In 2026, pupils at Upton-by-Chester High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 54.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.3 in Cheshire West and Chester and 47 across England.

52% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 42% in Cheshire West and Chester and 47% in England.

That is up from 48.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.36: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 40.1, against 57.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 17.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 28 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 284 families put Upton-by-Chester High School as their first choice and 592 named it as one of their preferences, for 292 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 11 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Upton-by-Chester High School are Chester International School (2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 38.5); The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School (2.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 53.7); Queen's Park High School (2.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.6); and Christleton High School (2.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.4).

Upton-by-Chester High School's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.

229 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Upton-by-Chester High School (as of September 2025): 93% would recommend the school, 89% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

Of the 281 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 27% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 157 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 51% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 28% into work. 26% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

14.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (80%) and Asian (5%).

The nearest railway station is Bache Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is High School (bay 2), 100 metres away.

In 2024/25, Upton-by-Chester High School issued 183 suspensions, 10.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Upton-by-Chester High School are Upton Westlea Primary School (0.4 miles), Mill View Primary School (0.6 miles), Acresfield Academy (0.7 miles) and Upton Heath CofE Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.