About West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) is a selective girls' grammar school in West Kirby, Wirral, admitting 150 girls per year. It is part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium along with Calday Grange Grammar School, Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Wirral Grammar School for Girls. All four use the same GL Assessment Wirral Admissions Test. Qualifying score: 236+. Assessment Request Form must be completed by 31st May of Year 5.
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 65.8%. A-Level A*–B: 64%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) is a girls state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 150 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Wirral test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Saturday 6 September 2026 and results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (150 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) Admissions Criteria
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) is a selective girls' grammar school in West Kirby, Wirral, admitting 150 girls per year. It is part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium along with Calday Grange Grammar School, Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Wirral Grammar School for Girls. All four use the same GL Assessment Wirral Admissions Test. Qualifying score: 236+. Assessment Request Form must be completed by 31st May of Year 5.
- ✓Complete an Assessment Request Form via the Wirral Council website or any Wirral consortium school website — available from 1st May, must be submitted by 31st May (Year 5).
- ✓Sit the Wirral Admissions Test (GL Assessment) in September of Year 6 — two 60-minute multiple-choice papers covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics.
- ✓Achieve the qualifying standardised score of 236 or above.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after girls (highest priority).
- ✓Girls who achieve the qualifying score of 236+, ranked in order of score.
- ✓Distance from the school as tie-breaker.
- ✓Complete the Wirral Parental Preference Form or your Local Authority CAF by 31st October.
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 150 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Saturday 6 September 2026 (CEM-style: VR + NVR + Maths + English) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Wirral) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Saturday 6 September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)
West Kirby selects through the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment), sat once for the four non-Catholic Wirral grammars — two computer-marked, age-standardised papers, qualifying score 236.
- Verbal reasoning: word-based logic, analogies, codes and deductions.
- Non-verbal reasoning: shapes, patterns and spatial reasoning.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 problem-solving and reasoning.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
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- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) 11+ Exam
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.
Academic Performance at West Kirby Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) is a high-performing Wirral girls' grammar with a co-educational sixth form, regularly ranked among the strongest state schools in the region.
- GCSE: around 94% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above.
- Recognition: named among The Sunday Times' top 100 state schools.
- Community: over 1,260 pupils organised across six houses (Furniss, Gonner, Hudson, Paton, Stewart and Wallis).
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for West Kirby Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium 11+, administered by Wirral Local Authority and set by GL Assessment, shared by the four non-Catholic Wirral grammars (Calday Grange, West Kirby and the two Wirral Grammar Schools) — so a child sits it once. It is two audio-guided, computer-marked multiple-choice papers of around an hour each, each covering three equally-weighted sections: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning (including spatial) and mathematics. Scores are age-standardised and combined, with a qualifying standardised score of 236 or above.
The school admits around 150 pupils to Year 7 and has no formal catchment area — once a child meets the qualifying score, proximity decides remaining places, measured by the shortest safe walking route from home to the nearest school gate. After looked-after children and those with a medical need, up to 15 places go to eligible Free School Meals pupils (by distance), then siblings, then distance. Register for the Wirral consortium test through Wirral LA and name the school on the Common Application Form by 31 October. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
West Kirby Grammar School is a selective girls' grammar for ages 11–18, with a co-educational sixth form, on Graham Road in West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside (CH48 5DP). With over 1,260 pupils across six houses, it is known for academic excellence alongside strong pastoral care and a wide co-curricular programme.
The school offers a broad curriculum and extensive enrichment across sport, music, drama and the arts. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about West Kirby Grammar School
How do I apply to West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) for Year 7?
Applications to West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026), then list West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in Saturday 6 September 2026 (CEM-style: VR + NVR + Maths + English). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)?
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 150 places.
How many Year 7 places does West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) have?
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) admits 150 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on Mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)'s waiting list.
Is West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) a state school or fee-paying?
West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.