Welcome message from the Headteacher.

It is my privilege to welcome you to Upton-by-Chester High School.

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.

Our motto, Learning to Shape the Future, sits at the heart of everything we do. For us, education is about more than examination results. We want every learner, whatever their starting point, to leave our school with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to shape their own future and make a positive contribution to the world around them.

We are ambitious for every young person. Our broad curriculum provides a wide range of academic and vocational pathways, complemented by opportunities beyond the classroom that enable learners to discover new interests, develop their talents and grow as individuals. We believe that achievement and personal development go hand in hand.

We are proud of the strong academic outcomes our learners have achieved over recent years, but we are equally proud of the young people behind those results. Our aim is to create an environment in which learners feel supported and challenged, develop high expectations of themselves and are equipped to take their next steps with confidence.

Our large and successful Sixth Form is an important part of the Upton-by-Chester High School community. With almost 400 learners and an extensive range of courses and opportunities, it attracts young people from across the local area, while many of our own learners choose to remain with us for seven years and complete their secondary education with us.

This is also an especially exciting time in the history of our school. In June 2022, the school was selected by the Department for Education for a complete rebuild. Construction of our new school is now underway, with the new building expected to open in summer 2027 and the wider site development to be completed in 2028. These new facilities represent a significant investment in our community and will provide an outstanding environment in which future generations of learners can learn and thrive.

As Headteacher, I am committed to preserving the qualities that make our school such a special community while ensuring that we never stand still. We will continue to reflect, improve and seek new opportunities that raise aspirations and enable every learner to fulfil their potential.

A website or prospectus can only ever provide a glimpse of life at a school. The best way to understand Upton-by-Chester High School is to experience it for yourself: to meet our learners and staff, see learning taking place and experience the atmosphere of our school.

I warmly invite you to visit us. I, or a member of our Senior Leadership Team, would be delighted to welcome you and show you around.

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about Upton-by-Chester High School. I hope you enjoy exploring our website and watching the short film below.

Lee Cummins

Headteacher