A system for forming a contoured composite structure, such as a high contour composite structure, the system comprising: a composite charge having ply discontinuity features formed through one or more portions; a forming apparatus (10, 10a) comprising: an upper die and a lower die between which the composite charge is formed, the upper die having upper die portions that are slidably displaceable, via first actuators, and the lower die having pairs of die blocks spaced apart to define a die cavity, and slidably displaceable, via second actuators; a plurality of load cells coupled to the first actuators, configured to monitor pressure applied to the composite charge by the first actuators and the second actuators; a control system having a controller configured to control the first actuators and the second actuators; and an overlay tool assembly coupled to the upper die, the overlay tool assembly having scalloped sections positioned between pairs of the plurality of load cells along a length of the upper die, and positioned against the one or more portions of the composite charge during a forming process; and wherein: the ply discontinuity features of the composite charge are aligned with the scalloped sections thereby denying pressure and a through thickness compaction to the one or more portions of the composite charge during the forming process, to allow one or more plies in the one or more portions to move after the forming process, and to enable in-plane bending of the high contour composite structure, formed by the composite charge, in one or more post-forming operations. a composite charge having ply discontinuity features formed through one or more portions; a forming apparatus (10, 10a) comprising: an upper die and a lower die between which the composite charge is formed, the upper die having upper die portions that are slidably displaceable, via first actuators, and the lower die having pairs of die blocks spaced apart to define a die cavity, and slidably displaceable, via second actuators; a plurality of load cells coupled to the first actuators, configured to monitor pressure applied to the composite charge by the first actuators and the second actuators; a control system having a controller configured to control the first actuators and the second actuators; and an overlay tool assembly coupled to the upper die, the overlay tool assembly having scalloped sections positioned between pairs of the plurality of load cells along a length of the upper die, and positioned against the one or more portions of the composite charge during a forming process; and wherein: an upper die and a lower die between which the composite charge is formed, the upper die having upper die portions that are slidably displaceable, via first actuators, and the lower die having pairs of die blocks spaced apart to define a die cavity, and slidably displaceable, via second actuators; a plurality of load cells coupled to the first actuators, configured to monitor pressure applied to the composite charge by the first actuators and the second actuators; a control system having a controller configured to control the first actuators and the second actuators; and an overlay tool assembly coupled to the upper die, the overlay tool assembly having scalloped sections positioned between pairs of the plurality of load cells along a length of the upper die, and positioned against the one or more portions of the composite charge during a forming process; and wherein: the ply discontinuity features of the composite charge are aligned with the scalloped sections thereby denying pressure and a through thickness compaction to the one or more portions of the composite charge during the forming process, to allow one or more plies in the one or more portions to move after the forming process, and to enable in-plane bending of the high contour composite structure, formed by the composite charge, in one or more post-forming operations.