Sefton Education Sector: Overview and Opportunities

Sefton is home to a diverse and thriving education sector, offering rewarding opportunities for teachers, teaching assistants, and school support staff across all stages of education. As one of the five metropolitan boroughs within Merseyside, Sefton combines vibrant coastal towns, such as Southport and Formby, with suburban communities like Bootle and Crosby - each bringing unique strengths and challenges to the local educational landscape.

This page provides an overview of the borough’s education system, local schools, and career opportunities. Whether you’re exploring Sefton education jobs, applying for teaching jobs Sefton, or considering support roles such as school jobs Sefton, you’ll find a dynamic environment with strong professional networks and a focus on improving outcomes for children and young people.

Early Years Education

Sefton places a strong emphasis on early learning and school readiness. Early years provision includes:

Dedicated nursery schools such as Cambridge Nursery, Crossens Nursery, Greenacre Nursery, and Sand Dunes Nursery
Free nursery places for children aged 3-4 in many primary schools
Private nurseries, pre-schools, and children’s centres offering integrated family support

Educators in this stage work within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, helping children develop key social, emotional, and learning foundations.

Primary Education

Sefton is home to nearly 100 primary schools, including community schools, academies, infant and junior schools, and faith-based settings. This offers diverse opportunities for teachers and support staff in urban and coastal areas.

Examples include:

Farnborough Road Infant and Junior Schools (Southport) - known for strong academic results and community links
Forefield Community Infant and Nursery School (Crosby) - praised for early years provision
St Luke’s Catholic Primary School (Formby) - a well-regarded Catholic school with strong pastoral care

Primary education follows the National Curriculum, covering Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6), with SATs assessments at the end of Year 6.

Secondary Education

Sefton’s secondary education sector comprises comprehensive, faith, and academy schools, some of which offer sixth form provision. There are 36 secondary schools across the borough, offering varied teaching environments for different specialisms.

Key examples include:

Sacred Heart Catholic College (Crosby) - a large Catholic comprehensive with a strong reputation in the arts and sciences
Christ the King Catholic High School (Southport) - offering secondary education and sixth form provision
Formby High School - recognised for excellence in music and performing arts
Hillside High School (Bootle) - known for its focus on inclusion and pastoral support

Post-16 and Further Education

Sefton offers extensive post-16 provision through school sixth forms, vocational training centres, and further education colleges. Hugh Baird College in Bootle is a major provider, delivering A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, apprenticeships, and higher education programmes in partnership with universities.

Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

Sefton is committed to inclusive education, with specialist provision and SEND support integrated into its education system. Provision includes:

Dedicated special schools such as Merefield School (Southport) and Presfield High School and Specialist College (Crosby)
Specialist resource bases within mainstream schools
Outreach services and alternative provision for pupils needing additional support

This creates opportunities for educators specialising in SEND, including SENCOs, teaching assistants, and specialist teachers.

Types of Roles and Recruitment

Sefton offers a variety of roles across its schools, including:

Teaching jobs Sefton - across primary, secondary, and specialist settings
Teaching vacancies Sefton - subject specialists in high-demand areas such as maths, sciences, and modern languages
School jobs Sefton - including teaching assistants, learning support staff, and pastoral roles
Leadership positions, SENCO roles, and early years practitioners

Recruitment is managed via Sefton Council’s education vacancies portal, as well as the national Teaching Vacancies website, TES, and local academy trust websites.

Professional Development and Training

Sefton has a strong culture of professional development, supported by partnerships with Liverpool and Edge Hill universities, as well as school-to-school support networks. Thrive Group also offers specialist training to help educators in Sefton build their skills, including:

Compassionate Leadership - fostering inclusive and supportive leadership styles
Mental Health in Schools - equipping educators to support pupil wellbeing

Why Work in Sefton?

Sefton offers unique advantages for education professionals:

A diverse mix of schools in both urban and coastal settings
Opportunities for career progression and system leadership
Strong professional networks and collaborative school partnerships
Affordable housing and good transport links to Liverpool and Manchester
Access to cultural and natural assets, including Southport’s seaside and Formby’s National Trust coastline

Next Steps

Looking for your next opportunity in education? Whether you’re exploring Sefton education jobs, applying for teaching jobs Sefton, or searching for school jobs Sefton, Thrive Group can help you develop your skills and achieve your career goals.