Wirral Grammar School

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

Admissions 2011

Admission Arrangements for September 2011 a ‘one stop’ guide for parents.

Each year we receive early requests for information about enrolment. This information is intended for parents who have sons who will be starting their secondary education in September 2011.

We have provided this guide to assist parents through what is, understandably, a potentially complicated process. If you would like to have it explained to you or if you require any assistance, you are welcome to contact Mrs Tanya Fry who is our Admissions Manager in school (0151 644 0908).

Applying from Wirral

Parents of pupils in Wirral should refer to the ‘Secondary Education in Wirral 2011’ guide for parents which will become available from around September 2010. It is made available to parents of Year 6 pupils at primary school and will also be available on-line.

Although we are a Foundation School our admissions process is managed by Wirral Local Authority. The ‘Secondary Education in Wirral 2011’ publication will explain how to go about selecting your choice of school and the arrangements for testing. There are two important dates for parents to be aware of. If you would like your son to sit the 11+ test, a Test Request Form (which will be supplied with the ‘Secondary Education in Wirral 2011’ pack) first needs to be completed and returned to the Local Authority by the specified date. This purpose of this form is to allow the Local Authority to order the correct number of test papers. Copies of this form will be available from school.

To make your choice of school, the School Preference Form (which will be supplied with the ‘Secondary Education in Wirral 2011’ pack) needs to be completed and returned to your primary school by the specified date. If you do not receive this form you can contact the Local Authority on 0151 606 2000. Alternatively you can contact school on 0151 644 0908 and ask for Mrs Tanya Fry who will assist you. You are welcome to register an email address with us and we will forward you regular up-dates regarding the admission process.

Each year the Local Authority organises an Admissions Portal: http://www.wirral-mbc.gov.uk/Admissions/. Through this you will be able to down-load and submit your preference on-line. Preference forms usually need to be returned at the end of October, but remember, you need to return your Test Request Form before the end of September.

Applying from outside Wirral

If you are applying from Cheshire, you will need to follow the admissions process for Cheshire. The following link will take you to the Cheshire Authority admissions guidance: http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/schools/admissions/applying_online.htm Even if you are applying from outside Wirral you will need to return a Test Request Form by the date specified by Wirral Local Authority. This form can be obtained through Mrs Tanya Fry here at the school or alternatively direct from Wirral Local Authority. The purpose of the test form is to let Wirral Local Authority know how many test papers need to ordered, it is important that this form is completed and returned otherwise there will be no record of your son’s name for the purpose of arranging the test.

Testing Arrangements

If your son is in a primary school in Wirral, it is likely that he will take the 11+ test at his school; your son’s primary Headteacher can confirm this for you. Boys who live in Cheshire would take the test at a specified test centre and this is often at Wirral Grammar School. The assessment is a verbal reasoning one and each boy sits two tests. There are also practice test days which follow exactly the same procedure as the actual test themselves.

Admissions Numbers and Standards

The admission number for Wirral Grammar School for Boys is 155. Wirral, like most areas of the country, is experiencing falling rolls which means that there are fewer pupils at all ability levels, in most years therefore we have a few places left after the allocations have been made. At Wirral Grammar School for Boys we feel that maintaining our entry standard is essential, even if this means us having a few places left unfilled at the end of the process.

A concern for parents who live ‘out of area’ is whether distance from the school will mean that they will not get a place. Although circumstances vary from year to year for the past few years, all boys who live a distance away and even as far as Chester, have gained places. For admission into Year 7 for September 2009, our school was over-subscribed, though not significantly so. This can be attributed to there being an increase in the number of boys within the population in that particular year group. Normally, we are able to offer places to all boys who reach the standard.

Parents of Pupils currently in Year 5 (2009/2010)

If you have a son who is currently in Year 5, please note that we will be holding an Information Evening on Tuesday 29^th June 2010. On this occasion, parents are invited to come along prior to the Open Evenings, which will be held mid September 2010. The Information Evening is aimed at parents who are less familiar with our school and would like some basic information prior to the summer holidays.

Further Information

If we can assist you in any way, feel free to call us on 0151 644 0908 and ask for Mrs Tanya Fry who will assist you with your enquiry. In addition you can find news about our school and our Prospectus on this website. Our ‘Parent Handbook’ can be obtained from this website and it contains all the specific details about our school.

Outstanding education that does not cost the earth

Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a state school. We are very proud of the fact that we offer free education that is nationally recognised to be outstanding. Standards at both GCSE and A Level are excellent, for example, over half of all GCSE grades were A* or A in the 2009 summer examinations. Result information is available via the DCSF website (www.dcsf.gov.uk ) and the Ofsted website (www.ofsted.gov.uk). If you have a son who is currently attending an independent secondary school and you would like him to join Wirral Grammar School, please contact Mrs Tanya Fry, the school Admissions Manager and she will advise you accordningly.

New Bus Routes

In response to increased demand from outside Wirral, we will have a bus-transport scheme from Ellesmere Port and Neston. Details of this can be obtained from the school.

Come and see us!

If you would like to come along and see us, please contact the school. Our Head Boy and Prefect Team act as tour guides and will be pleased to show you around the school.