West Kirby Grammar School 11+ Guide

About West Kirby Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Merseyside's picturesque Wirral peninsula, West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) stands as a beacon of academic excellence for girls aged 11-18, with boys welcomed into the vibrant Sixth Form community. Founded upon the unwavering motto "Ad metam contendo" (Strive towards the goal), this selective grammar school has carved a reputation for delivering an all-encompassing education that nurtures the minds and souls of its students.

The school's thriving student body, exceeding 1,260 pupils, is divided into six distinct houses: Furniss, Gonner, Hudson, Paton, Stewart, and Wallis. Within these supportive structures, students embark on a transformative learning journey, guided by a meticulously crafted curriculum that spans a wide array of subjects, including mathematics, PSHE, science, DT, French, and religious studies. The dedicated faculty at WKGS goes above and beyond to ensure that each lesson is infused with dynamism and engagement, igniting a passion for knowledge in every young learner.

Beyond the classroom walls, West Kirby Grammar School takes immense pride in its rich tapestry of extracurricular activities, designed to cultivate social skills, foster personal growth, and broaden horizons. From captivating trips to far-flung destinations like China, Mongolia, Iceland, and France, to a myriad of clubs, sports, and language programs, students are encouraged to explore their interests and develop a global perspective. These experiences not only deepen their understanding of diverse customs and traditions but also instill a sense of empathy and cultural appreciation that will serve them well throughout their lives.

At the core of West Kirby Grammar School's ethos lies a steadfast commitment to nurturing a strong sense of belonging and community. The school's influence extends far beyond its gates, as students and staff alike strive to make a positive impact on both local and global scales. Guided by the fundamental values of collaboration, empathy, and honesty, WKGS fosters an environment where students feel supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. This dedication to personal growth and collective success is evident in the school's impressive academic achievements, with 40% of students securing nine or more grades in the prestigious 9-7 range in recent examinations.

As an accredited High Performance Learning World Class School, West Kirby Grammar School embraces the philosophy that academic ability is not fixed but can flourish with the right opportunities and support. This belief is exemplified through the school's extensive co-curricular and international outreach programs, which include the Combined Cadet Force, science visits to CERN and NASA, and life-changing expeditions to work with children in Inner Mongolia. By providing students with these transformative experiences, WKGS equips them with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.

School Information

Below you will find further information about West Kirby Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

West Kirby Grammar School is a girls 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 1,270 pupils attend West Kirby Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Simeon Clarke.

West Kirby Grammar School 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 West Kirby Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Wirral 11+ Information

In order to get into West Kirby Grammar School, 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 West Kirby Grammar School 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. The test is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of a child's academic potential and suitability for the school's curriculum.

All questions in the Wirral Admissions Test are presented in a multiple-choice format, allowing students to select the most appropriate answer from the given options. To record their responses, children are provided with separate answer sheets, which are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the evaluation process.

By assessing a student's performance across these key areas, West Kirby Grammar School aims to identify those who demonstrate the necessary skills and abilities to thrive within their educational environment. The Wirral Admissions Test serves as an essential tool in the school's selection process, helping to ensure that each child admitted to the school has the potential to succeed academically and contribute positively to the school community.

Other Schools using Wirral 11+

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

• Calday Grange Grammar School
• Wirral Grammar School for Boys
• Wirral Grammar School for Girls

Wirral 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as West Kirby Grammar School 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 West Kirby Grammar School, 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 West Kirby Grammar School) 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 West Kirby Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

West Kirby Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 02/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 15/12/2022, 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

West Kirby Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 15/12/2022 and received an overall rating of Good. The school was judged to be Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.

The inspection, which took place on 2 November 2022, found that West Kirby Grammar School provides a high-quality education for its students. The school's leadership and management team have effectively implemented strategies to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future success.

The Good rating across all areas demonstrates the school's commitment to providing an excellent learning environment for its students. The school's focus on personal development and behaviour and attitudes, alongside a strong academic curriculum, has resulted in a positive and supportive school community that encourages students to reach their full potential.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for West Kirby Grammar School 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 West Kirby Grammar School. Please note that this may include past 11+ 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 West Kirby Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board that West Kirby Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

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 West Kirby Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.