Wirral Grammar School for Boys 11+ Guide

About Wirral Grammar School for Boys

Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a selective secondary school in Wirral. For children to get into Wirral Grammar School for Boys they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled on a picturesque nine-acre site in Bebington, Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a selective grammar that caters to students aged 11-18. With academy status, the school upholds its motto, Sapientia Ianua Vitae (Wisdom is the Gateway to Life), by providing an enriching educational experience that extends beyond the classroom.

The school's dynamic curriculum is designed to captivate and inspire, reflecting the vibrant nature of its learning community. While placing a strong emphasis on core subjects such as mathematics, science, technology, and languages, Wirral Grammar School for Boys also offers a wealth of extracurricular activities to foster social development and encourage experiential learning. From orchestra and drama to sports and clubs, students have ample opportunities to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and cultivate a sense of teamwork within a supportive environment.

At Wirral Grammar School for Boys, the focus is on nurturing self-disciplined, independent, and adaptable learners who are well-prepared for the challenges of the modern world. The school's dedicated staff work tirelessly to ignite curiosity and imagination in their students, empowering them to reach their full potential. By fostering a culture of respect and courtesy, the school maintains high behavioural and academic standards, which is reflected in the impressive A-Level results consistently achieved by its students.

Beyond academic excellence, Wirral Grammar School for Boys is committed to building international partnerships and broadening students' horizons. The school's efforts in this area have been recognized with the prestigious British Council International School Award, a testament to its dedication to global education and cultural exchange. Through fully-funded British Council projects with European partner schools, students have the opportunity to engage with their peers from different backgrounds, promoting understanding and collaboration.

With a rich history and notable alumni, including former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Wirral Grammar School for Boys continues to inspire and shape the minds of young men, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become successful, well-rounded individuals in an ever-changing world.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Wirral Grammar School for Boys together with their admissions contact details.

Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,053 pupils attend Wirral Grammar School for Boys and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Simon Ascroft.

Wirral Grammar School for Boys Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Wirral Grammar School for Boys for the 2022-23 academic year.

Wirral 11+ Information

In order to get into Wirral Grammar School for Boys, children need to pass the Wirral 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Wirral 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Wirral 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Maths

The Wirral Admissions Test is used by Wirral Grammar School for Boys to evaluate the aptitude of prospective students. This assessment comprises two papers that cover a range of subjects, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics.

All questions in the Wirral Admissions Test are presented in a multiple-choice format. Students are provided with separate answer sheets on which they indicate their responses. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to determine the student's performance.

The test aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of a child's suitability for entry into Wirral Grammar School for Boys by evaluating their skills and knowledge across various domains.

Other Schools using Wirral 11+

As well as Wirral Grammar School for Boys, several other schools also use Wirral 11+. These are:

• Calday Grange Grammar School
• West Kirby Grammar School
• Wirral Grammar School for Girls

Wirral 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Wirral Grammar School for Boys is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Wirral 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Wirral 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Wirral Grammar School for Boys, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Wirral 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Wirral 11+ tests (to get into Wirral Grammar School for Boys) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Wirral Grammar School for Boys as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Wirral Grammar School for Boys was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 19/12/2022, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Wirral Grammar School for Boys was inspected by Ofsted on 8 November 2022 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth form provision. The quality of education and leadership and management were both rated as good.

The inspection results highlight the school's commitment to fostering a positive learning environment and supporting students' personal growth. The outstanding ratings in behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth form provision indicate that the school excels in nurturing well-rounded individuals and preparing them for success beyond their secondary education.

While the quality of education and leadership and management were rated as good, there may be opportunities for further improvement in these areas. Nevertheless, the overall good rating demonstrates that Wirral Grammar School for Boys is providing a solid educational foundation for its students and is well-positioned to continue its positive trajectory.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Wirral Grammar School for Boys per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Wirral Grammar School for Boys. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Wirral Grammar School for Boys currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Wirral Grammar School for Boys chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Wirral 11+ Ensure you double-check with Wirral Grammar School for Boys which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.