For parents and guardians: Please verify all school data — cut-off scores, applicant numbers and competition ratios — against official sources (school websites, local authority admissions data) before making any decisions. The figures on this page are researched but not guaranteed and change each admissions cycle.
Complete 2025/26 11+ Guide to Grammar Schools in Wirral (including Liverpool)
Wirral (including Liverpool) is home to 4 fully selective grammar schools and 0 partially selective schools, served by the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium (Wirral LA coordinated). This guide covers every school — admissions criteria, competition data, cut-off scores, GCSE results, and specific prep advice — so you can make an informed decision.
How the Wirral (including Liverpool) 11+ works
Two papers taken on the same day, each covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics. All questions are multiple choice; answers recorded on an OMR answer sheet marked by computer. Scores are age-standardised and combined into a single total. There is no re-sit.
All four Wirral state grammar schools share the same Wirral Admissions Test. A child registers once and sits once, then lists preferred schools on their LA Common Application Form. Passing the test does not guarantee a place at a particular school if that school is oversubscribed among qualified candidates — distance is then used as a tiebreaker.
Key dates
Who can apply?
Children born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 (for September 2025 entry, sitting exam September 2024).
Children from Wirral, Liverpool, Cheshire, North Wales and beyond may apply — there is no geographic restriction on sitting the test.
All applicants must register with Wirral LA by 31 May of Year 5 to be eligible.
Wirral residents: complete the Wirral Parental Preference Form (available online via wirral.gov.uk) by 31 October of Year 6.
Out-of-borough applicants (Liverpool, Cheshire, North Wales etc.): obtain a preference form from your home LA and ensure Wirral LA receives it.
Pupils with an EHCP are admitted under separate statutory procedures and are not required to sit the 11+ test.
Special access arrangements must be requested on the Assessment Request Form at registration (by 31 May).
Pupil Premium-eligible children who meet the qualifying standard are given priority after looked-after children — all four schools operate this policy.
Admissions process
Complete the Assessment Request Form online at wirral.gov.uk between 1 May and 31 May of Year 5. All four state grammar schools share this registration. Wirral LA notifies parents of the test venue.
Two papers on the same day (third week of September), each covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics. All multiple choice. Scores are age-standardised and combined. The test can only be taken once — no re-sits. If a child is unwell, contact [email protected] immediately.
Wirral LA sends results by approximately 21 October. Parents are told whether their child has reached the required "grammar school standard" (qualifying score). The exact qualifying score is set by the admissions authority after all tests are marked.
If your child passes, list your preferred Wirral grammar school(s) on your LA's Common Application Form. Wirral residents use the Wirral Parental Preference Form. Out-of-borough applicants use their home LA form. Passing the test does not reserve a place — each school's oversubscription criteria apply if demand exceeds supply.
Wirral LA allocates places using each school's oversubscription criteria. All four schools prioritise: (1) Looked-after / previously looked-after children; (2) Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium who meet the qualifying standard; (3) Remaining qualifying applicants, ranked by shortest walking distance to the school gate.
If refused a place, parents may appeal. All appeals are co-ordinated by Wirral Council ([email protected]). Appeals for September entry must be submitted by 31 March and heard by mid-June.
School Directory
Disclaimer: Data compiled from official sources: wirral.gov.uk (admissions timetable and test format, April 2025), individual school websites (calday.co.uk, wkgs.org, wirralgrammarboys.com, wirralgirls.co.uk — admissions pages and results, March–April 2025), Ofsted reports.ofsted.gov.uk (inspection reports 2022–2024), DfE Compare School Performance (compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk, data published April 2025 relating to 2023–24 KS4 cohort), Sunday Times Parent Power 2024 regional tables. Progress 8 not available for 2024–25 or 2025–26 cohorts (DfE confirmed, COVID-era KS2 cancellation). Verify all key dates and admissions details at wirral.gov.uk and individual school websites before acting. Always verify figures on the school or local authority website before making decisions — data changes each admissions cycle. Last updated: 2025-04-19. We aim to refresh this guide every year after new DfE data is published (typically June/July).