Wirral Grammar School

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Cross Lane, Bebington,
Wirral. CH63 3AQ
Tel: 0151 6440908

Admissions Policy & Procedure

The schools admission number, which sets the planned admission limit, is 155 boys. Only boys who attain the required standard in the arrangements for selection by reference to ability and aptitude will be eligible to be considered for admission to the school. Admission to the school is determined by the Governors. The school's assessment arrangements are set out below and will be conducted by Wirral Local Education Authority (see useful links).

The assessment is based upon the results of two verbal reasoning tests. The tests are taken during the Autumn term of the final year of primary education. In order to ensure that children are not disadvantaged because of their date of birth, in each case the score is adjusted by the use of conversion tables to take account of each child's exact age in years and months. The two test scores are then added together.

Pupils who achieve the required score or higher will be deemed to have achieved the grammar school standard, unless their primary school head teacher refers them to the Independent Assessment Board.

As soon as the test results are known, primary school head teachers are informed in confidence of the scores of their pupils and the required score for the grammar school standard. They will be invited to comment on behalf of any boy whose test results do not reflect his ability, it is expected that these cases will be quite rare. The matter will then be referred to an Independent Assessment Board.

The Independent Assessment Board comprises four headteachers (two from primary schools and two from grammar schools) and is chaired by an Inspector from the Education Authority. None of the members will have any personal interest in any of the pupils whom they are asked to assess. The board will decide in each individual case whether or not the boy has reached the grammar school standard.

If the school is over-subscribed with pupils who have been deemed to be of suitable ability, then places are allocated in accordance with the following criteria which are given in priority order:

• To those boys who are looked after (e.g. boys in care to a Local Authority).
• To those boys who have a valid medical reason supported by a Doctor's letter.
• To those boys who have brothers at the school at the time of application.
• By reference to geographical factors, that is the distance from the home address to Wirral Grammar School for Boys using the shortest road route.
• Any other reasons that may have reasonably been put forward by parents/carers. If the reasons are considered to be exceptional and compelling, the child in question may be allocated a place regardless of his geographical circumstances.

Sixth Form Entry:
Priority for entry is given to existing pupils in the school. Each year the school welcomes a number of boys from other schools. Places are offered after a visit to the school by a prospective student and a meeting with the Head of Sixth Form. The admission number is currently 140 students in each of the two forms. The guidance requirement for entry is six GCSE passes at grades A*/A/B. Parents with sons attening schools other that Wirral Grammar should contact Mr Mike Askew (Head of Sixth Form) for advice regarding joining our Sixth Form.

Other Pupils:
Pupils will continue to be admitted to other age groups provided they have reached the required standard as determined by the school's assessment procedures which include a verbal reasoning test, non-verbal reasoning test and quantitative test, and that their admission does not prejudice efficient education and the efficient use of resources.

Advice and Guidance

You are welcome to contact our Admissions Manager, Mrs Tanya Fry for advice regarding admissions arrangements (0151 644 0908). You may also wish to follow our links on our home page for admissions for 2010 and 2011.