About St Anselm's College
St Anselm's College is a selective Roman Catholic grammar school for boys in Birkenhead, on the Wirral. Founded in 1933 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, it sits within the Shrewsbury Diocese and the Edmund Rice tradition, and is a state-funded school that charges no fees. Entry to Year 7 is by the College's own entrance exam, which it sets and marks itself — St Anselm's is not part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium and does not use a shared consortium test.
The exam is three one-hour written papers (not multiple-choice): English (reading comprehension and creative writing), Mathematics (Key Stage 2) and Verbal Reasoning. Competition is strong — around eight applicants for every place — with about 140 places each year. Priority in oversubscription goes to baptised Catholic boys living in the College's relevant area, though boys of all faiths and none are welcome to apply.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St Anselm's College
Admission is by the College's own entrance exam, which it sets and marks itself; St Anselm's is not part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium, so families register with the school directly and name it on the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF). The exam is three one-hour written papers — English (reading comprehension and creative writing), Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning — and is not multiple-choice. There is no fixed pass mark. Once pupils reach the required standard, places are allocated using the oversubscription criteria: priority to baptised Catholic looked-after boys, then baptised Catholic boys, then baptised Christian (non-Catholic) boys, and then other boys whose families want a Catholic education, all living in the College's relevant area (Wirral, Cheshire West & Chester and areas within about 5 miles). Always confirm the current arrangements in the College's admissions policy.
Catchment Area for St Anselm's College
St Anselm's gives priority to baptised Catholic boys living in its defined relevant area, but it does not operate a strict distance catchment and welcomes applicants of all faiths and none.
All applicants must first reach the required standard in the entrance exam; the faith and relevant-area criteria are applied only if the College is oversubscribed. Two applications are required — the school's registration form and your Local Authority CAF.
Subjects Tested at St Anselm's College
St Anselm's sets its own three one-hour written papers: English (reading comprehension and creative writing), Mathematics (Key Stage 2) and Verbal Reasoning. The papers are not multiple-choice, so timed writing practice matters as much as content.
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How to Prepare for the St. Anselm's College 11+ Exam
Because St Anselm's papers are written, not multiple-choice, preparation should build genuine writing and problem-solving skill. Practise timed English comprehension and creative writing, Key Stage 2 maths and verbal reasoning. The steps below build all three.
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St Anselm's College — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to St Anselm's College for Year 7?
Complete the College's own registration form and sit its entrance exam in September, and also name St Anselm's on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026. Both applications are required, because St Anselm's is not part of the Wirral consortium and you register with the school directly.
What entrance test does St Anselm's use?
Its own test, set and marked by the College — not a shared Wirral consortium test. It is three one-hour written papers: English (reading comprehension and creative writing), Mathematics (Key Stage 2) and Verbal Reasoning. The papers are not multiple-choice.
Is St Anselm's selective, and is it free?
Yes. St Anselm's is a selective Roman Catholic state grammar school for boys and, as a state-funded school, charges no fees.
When does the entrance exam take place?
In September. For September 2027 entry it falls in the autumn of 2026; check the College website for the exact date and to register.
When are the results released?
By the end of October 2026, before the Local Authority application deadline.
When is National Offers Day in 2027?
National Offers Day is 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities tell families which secondary school place their child has been allocated.
Does St Anselm's have a catchment area?
It gives priority to baptised Catholic boys living in its relevant area (Wirral, Cheshire West & Chester and areas within about 5 miles), but it does not operate a strict distance catchment; proximity is used only to decide between similarly-ranked candidates.
How many Year 7 places does St Anselm's offer?
About 140 places.
How can my child prepare for the St Anselm's entrance exam?
Because the papers are written rather than multiple-choice, practise timed English comprehension and creative writing, Key Stage 2 maths, and verbal reasoning. ExamTutor offers practice papers with full video explanations to build accuracy and exam technique.