Wirral Grammar School

Navigation

  Main Navigation

  School Information

  Parents

School Email Login

Website Links

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

Admissions Policy & Procedure

The school plans to admit 155 boys unless the net capacity figure indicates otherwise.  Only boys who attain the required standard (a score of 236) 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 will be conducted by Wirral Local Authority and will be similar to those which apply to its community selective schools. 

The assessment is based upon the results of two verbal reasoning tests.  The tests do not take into account what pupils have learnt at the primary schools; they have been designed to predict pupils’ potential performance at secondary school. 

In some cases parents may feel that there are specific factors which have affected the child’s academic attainments and performance, for example, if his education has been seriously disrupted through ill health, change of schools, or any other cause.  Where this does apply it is important that the facts should be brought to the attention of the child’s present Headteacher, in writing by the date specified in Wirral LA’s publication ‘Information for Parents’.

Pupils take two verbal reasoning tests 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 a score higher than the required score will be deemed to have achieved the grammar school standard. 

Primary Headteachers are invited to comment on behalf of any children whose test results do not reflect their ability and in that event, the matter is 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 Department.  None of the members will have any personal interest in any of the pupils whom they are asked to assess. 

The Board have available to them, in respect of each pupil: 

• The pupil’s verbal reasoning test scores and papers; 
• The observations of the pupil’s primary school Headteacher; 
• Information supplied, in confidence, by parents and reports from other professional agencies such as educational psychologists, social workers, doctors and so on.

The Board then uses its professional judgement to decide whether the results of the verbal reasoning tests did not truly reflect the boy’s ability.  The board decides whether or not the boy has reached the grammar school standard. 

Places will be offered to pupils who have been deemed to be of suitable ability on the basis of the following criteria which will also be applied in the case of over-subscription: 

• Boys in public care 
• To those boys with a valid medical reason supported by a doctor’s letter.  Details must be given on the preference form and will be verified by a medical officer of the Area Health Authority 
• To those boys with a brother[1] (sibling) attending the school at the time of application with a reasonable expectation that they will be attending at the time of the start of the new academic year. 
• By reference to geographical factors, that is distance from the home address to Wirral Grammar School for Boys.  Distances will be measured from the home to the school gate nearest to the child’s home using the shortest road route unless it is possible to use a footpath which is considered by the school to be a safe walking route 
• The school, in considering the cases of children who are not allocated places on grounds of sibling connection or medical need, will also take into account the reasons that parents have put forward for their preference.  If the reasons are considered to be exceptional and compelling, the child in question may be allocated a place regardless of his geographical circumstances 

NB                  The school has facilities for disabled pupils’ access to much, but not all, of the curriculum. 

Any offer of a place may be withdrawn if it is discovered that misleading information has been provided in order to secure an offer. 

Late Applications 

Late applications will be dealt with in accordance with the arrangements applied by Wirral LEA. 

Waiting List 

A waiting list for boys who achieved the required standard but who have not been offered a place will be kept and will be ranked according to the Admissions Criteria.  Parents will be informed of their child’s position on the waiting list which will not be operated for longer than the end of the Autumn Term. 

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 meeting with the Head of Sixth Form.  The limit on entry is determined by subject group capacity which is taken as a measure of efficiency.  Six GCSE passes at Grades A* – B are considered a minimum entry requirement for all students but specific subjects often recommend  A*/A grade for study to A level.  

Admissions to other than at the start of Year 7 

Our policy is to advise against a change of school part way through a school year due to the potential negative impact on learning progression.  Where parents feel that there is genuine reason for considering a change of school, admission is by a standard NFER test that covers verbal, non verbal and quantitative reasoning.  

If a boy took the 11+ assessment in Year 6 and did not achieve the standard for Grammar School, it is not possible for the school to re-asses until the Spring Term of Year 7, twelve months on. 

Pupils can only be admitted to other age groups provided they have reached the entry standard and that their admission does not prejudice efficient education and the efficient use of resources. 

Appeals against Admission Decisions 

Arrangements will be made for parents who are dissatisfied with an admission decision to appeal against it.  Appeals will be heard by an Admissions Appeals Panel constituted under the Education Act 1998, providing they are lodged within the prescribed period.  

Advice & Guidance

You are welcome to contact our Admissions Manager, Mrs Tanya Fry for advice regarding admission arrangements on 0151 644 0908.  You may also wish to follow our links on our home page for admissions for 2011 and 2012.  For all enquiries regarding entry into the Sixth Form, please contact Mr Mike Askew (Deputy Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form).

[1] Brother is defined as either (i) a brother by the same parents or (ii) a half or step-brother living in the same household.