- The school’s motto is “Learning to shape the future”, and it has a high-performing reputation, particularly in its sixth form, which attracts pupils from other educational institutions across Cheshire for the crucial A-Level years.
- Having been built primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, the school received planning permission approval in August 2025 for the construction of a new site on the current playing fields. When complete, the U-shaped, three-storey building will accommodate nearly 2,000 pupils and 175 staff.
- The British Council has given Upton-by-Chester the International School Award four times in recognition of its outstanding work in global education. Noteworthy initiatives have included a Family and Home project with a school in St Petersburg and a PSHE project with schools in Sri Lanka and Russia.
- Other prized accolades include the All Together Silver School Award for Upton-by-Chester’s strong anti-bullying culture, and the Rainbow Flag Award, which recognises inclusion and diversity efforts.
- Pupils are divided into one of five halls, which are named after inspirational Nobel Peace Prize laureates and represent one of the school’s values. An example is Yousafzai, which symbolises inclusion and honours the activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012 for attending school.
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