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 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 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 . <EOS>