About Upton Hall School FCJ
Upton Hall School FCJ is a selective Roman Catholic grammar school for girls in Upton, on the Wirral. Run in the tradition of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), it is a state-funded academy — charging no fees — with a specialism in maths and computing and a strong record of GCSE and A-Level results. Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance exam, which it manages independently — Upton Hall is not part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium and does not use a shared consortium test.
The exam is two papers taken on the same day in mid-September, focused on verbal reasoning; the two scores are combined and age-adjusted, with a qualifying total of 236. There are about 156 places. Priority in oversubscription goes to baptised Roman Catholic girls, and there is no set catchment — distance from the school is used only as a tie-break.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Upton Hall School FCJ
Admission is by Upton Hall's own entrance exam, which it manages independently of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium, so families apply to the school directly and name it on the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF). The exam is two papers taken on the same day in mid-September, focused on verbal reasoning; the two scores are added together and age-adjusted, and a combined total of 236 is the qualifying mark. Reaching 236 does not guarantee a place: where the school is oversubscribed, places go first to baptised Roman Catholic girls (looked-after children first), then to girls whose families want a Catholic education, with distance from the school (measured by Wirral's mapping system) used only as a tie-break. There is no set catchment, so girls from beyond the Wirral may apply.
Catchment Area for Upton Hall School FCJ
Upton Hall has no set catchment area — applications are welcome from beyond the Wirral. Distance from the school is used only as a tie-break between otherwise equally-ranked candidates.
Every applicant must first achieve the qualifying standard in the entrance exam (a combined total of 236, age-adjusted); the faith and distance criteria are applied only if the school is oversubscribed.
Subjects Tested at Upton Hall School FCJ
Upton Hall's entrance exam is two papers taken on the same day, focused on verbal reasoning — vocabulary, comprehension-style questions and logical problem-solving with written information. The two scores are combined and age-adjusted, with a qualifying total of 236.
Independent 11+ Practice Papers for Upton Hall School
Upton Hall School uses the Independent 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
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- 200 video explanations
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- 4 high-quality practice tests
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How to Prepare for the Upton Hall School 11+ Exam
Upton Hall's exam is built around verbal reasoning across two papers, so focus practice on vocabulary, comprehension-style questions and logical problem-solving, under timed conditions. The steps below build accuracy and pace.
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Upton Hall School FCJ — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Upton Hall School for Year 7?
Submit the school's own application form (with baptism certificate and any SEN documents) by the July deadline, sit the entrance exam in September, and name Upton Hall on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026. Upton Hall runs its own process, separate from the Wirral consortium.
What entrance test does Upton Hall use?
Its own entrance exam, managed independently of the Wirral consortium — not a shared consortium test. It is two verbal-reasoning papers taken on the same day; the two scores are combined and age-adjusted, with a qualifying total of 236.
Is Upton Hall selective, and is it free?
Yes. Upton Hall is a selective Roman Catholic state grammar school for girls and, as a state-funded school, charges no fees.
When does the entrance exam take place?
The main sitting is in mid-September — for 2027 entry, Saturday 19 September 2026 — with an alternative sitting on 23 September 2026 for girls who miss it through illness.
When are the results released?
By late October — for 2027 entry, by Friday 23 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 Upton Hall have a catchment area?
No. Upton Hall has no set catchment area and welcomes applicants from beyond the Wirral; distance from the school is used only as a tie-break between equally-ranked candidates.
How many Year 7 places does Upton Hall offer?
About 156 places.
How can my child prepare for the Upton Hall entrance exam?
Practise verbal reasoning — vocabulary, comprehension-style and logical problem-solving questions — under timed conditions across two papers. ExamTutor offers practice papers with full video explanations to build accuracy and pace.