Wirral & Liverpool Grammar Schools – 11+ Practice Papers with Video Explanations
The Wirral Peninsula and Liverpool area are home to several selective state grammar schools, with most using the GL Assessment 11+ for Year 7 entry. These schools are known for their historic roots, strong academic outcomes, and pathways to top universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions.
🧠 11+ Entrance Exam (GL Assessment)
- Used by: All grammar schools in Wirral (part of the Wirral Consortium of grammar schools)
- Format: GL Assessment
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Mathematics
- Testing Month: September of Year 6
- Application: Parents register online via the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium in spring/summer of Year 5
👉 Note: Liverpool grammar schools do not exist as a category — but Liverpool College (now an all-through school) is non-selective. Grammar schools are primarily in Wirral, just across the River Mersey from Liverpool.
🏫 Grammar Schools in Wirral (GL Assessment)
There are six grammar schools in Wirral, all using GL Assessment for Year 7 admissions:
Boys’ Grammar Schools
- Calday Grange Grammar School
- Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Girls’ Grammar Schools
- Wirral Grammar School for Girls
- West Kirby Grammar School
- Weatherhead High School (not a grammar school – non-selective)
- Upton Hall School FCJ (Catholic girls’ selective – uses own test)
🔍 Key Grammar Schools – Highlights
🔸 Calday Grange Grammar School
- Type: Boys’ grammar (co-ed Sixth Form)
- Founded: 1636 – one of the oldest schools in the North West
- Pupil Numbers: ~1,400
- Ofsted: Good
Reputation:
- Very strong in STEM, languages, and humanities
- Offers GCSEs and A-Levels with top results:
- GCSE: ~85% grades 7–9
- A-Level: ~75–85% A*-B
- High Oxbridge and Russell Group entry
- Strong international links and extracurricular activities
🔸 Wirral Grammar School for Boys
- Founded: 1931
- Pupil Numbers: ~1,000
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Reputation:
- High academic achievement in Maths, Sciences, and Economics
- Excellent music and sporting traditions
- GCSE: ~90% grades 7–9
- A-Level: ~85–90% A*-B
- Consistently ranks among top 20 state schools in the North
🔸 Wirral Grammar School for Girls
- Founded: 1931
- Pupil Numbers: ~1,100
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Reputation:
- Top-performing girls’ grammar in the region
- Particularly strong in English, Biology, Chemistry, and Modern Languages
- GCSE: ~95% grades 7–9
- A-Level: ~85–90% A*-B
- High success in Oxbridge, medicine, and law applications
🔸 West Kirby Grammar School
- Type: Girls’ grammar (co-ed Sixth Form)
- Founded: 1913
- Pupil Numbers: ~1,200
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Reputation:
- Balanced excellence in academics, arts, and sport
- GCSE: ~90% grades 7–9
- A-Level: ~80–85% A*-B
- Strong extra-curricular programme: music, languages, theatre, debating
- Very inclusive and nurturing environment
🔸 Upton Hall School FCJ (Catholic Girls’ Grammar)
- Type: Faith-based grammar school for girls
- Pupil Numbers: ~950
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Reputation:
- Selective Catholic girls’ school (does not use GL Assessment – has its own entrance test)
- Exceptional performance in English, RE, and Science
- Strong moral and academic development
📈 Academic Performance Summary
| School Name | GCSE (7–9) | A-Level (A*-B) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirral Grammar (Girls) | ~95% | ~85–90% | Top STEM, Medicine, Languages |
| Wirral Grammar (Boys) | ~90% | ~85–90% | Maths, Science, Music, Sports |
| Calday Grange Grammar | ~85% | ~75–85% | Languages, Sciences, International Links |
| West Kirby Grammar | ~90% | ~80–85% | Balanced curriculum, Music & Theatre |
| Upton Hall FCJ (own test) | ~85–90% | ~80–85% | Faith ethos, Humanities, Strong Values |
The Wirral grammar schools, all using GL Assessment, are among the top-performing state schools in the North West. They combine centuries of tradition with modern academic excellence, offering outstanding education, wide co-curricular enrichment, and high university success rates, especially in STEM, humanities, and medicine.
How to Use ExamTutor 11 Plus Practice Papers with Video Explanations to Achieve High Scores for the Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools 11+ Entrance Exam
Admission to Year 7 at Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools is based on performance in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance exam.
To secure a place, students must achieve a high score in the entrance test. ExamTutor’s 11+ Practice Papers with Video Explanations provide a structured and effective way to prepare, ensuring students are fully familiar with the question types and exam format used in the 11+ entrance exam.
How ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers with Video Explanations Help Students Succeed
1. Mirrors the GL Assessment 11+ Test Format
ExamTutor’s practice papers closely follow the GL Assessment 11+ test format, covering:
📌 English – Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
📌 Mathematics – Numerical reasoning, arithmetic, and problem-solving.
📌 Verbal Reasoning – Word patterns, logic, and problem-solving.
📌 Non-Verbal Reasoning – Spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and sequences.
✔ By practicing with ExamTutor papers, students become familiar with the structure and content of the Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools entrance exam, improving confidence and performance.
2. Identify Weak Areas & Improve Performance with a Structured Study Plan
A structured study plan is essential for 11+ success. Our practice papers:
✔ Help identify weaker subjects at the earliest stage.
✔ Allow students to focus on specific question types where they struggle.
✔ Include detailed answer explanations so students understand their mistakes and improve.
📌 Tip: Encourage your child to take regular timed practice tests to build exam stamina and confidence.
3. Boost Confidence with Video Explanations
Some 11+ question types can be challenging for students. Our expert-led video explanations:
🎥 Break down complex questions step by step
🎥 Teach proven problem-solving techniques
🎥 Show shortcuts and strategies to save time in the exam
🎥 Help students reinforce learning and build confidence
How to Use Video Explanations Effectively:
✅ Review incorrect answers with video solutions – Identify and correct mistakes early.
✅ Take notes on key strategies – Record important problem-solving techniques for future reference.
✅ Rewatch explanations for difficult topics – Reinforce learning by revisiting challenging areas.
✔ Video explanations ensure students fully understand concepts rather than just memorising answers.
4. Develop Strong Time Management & Exam Techniques
Success in the 11+ entrance exam isn’t just about knowledge—it’s also about:
✔ Time management – Completing questions quickly and accurately under exam conditions.
✔ Skipping tricky questions – Avoid wasting time on difficult questions and returning to them later.
✔ Eliminating wrong answers – Using logical reasoning to improve accuracy.
📌 Tip: Regular timed practice with ExamTutor tests ensures students develop these key exam skills.
5. Build Confidence Before the Big Day
Confidence is crucial for success in the Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools 11+ exam. Our practice tests help by:
✔ Simulating real exam conditions – So students know exactly what to expect.
✔ Providing motivation through measurable improvement.
📌 Tip: Encourage your child to review their mistakes using our detailed video explanations to turn weaknesses into strengths.
Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools Preparation?
✔ GL Assessment-style practice papers covering all tested subjects.
✔ Video explanations for step-by-step learning.
✔ Used successfully by thousands of students every year.
How to Get Started with ExamTutor Practice Papers
1️⃣ Take a practice test – Identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
2️⃣ Create a study plan – Focus on weaker areas while reinforcing strengths.
3️⃣ Practice regularly – Use ExamTutor timed papers to simulate real exam conditions.
4️⃣ Review mistakes using video explanations – Learn from errors and improve.
5️⃣ Track progress – Monitor scores over time to ensure continuous improvement.
📌 Tip: Start preparing at least 6–12 months before the exam to allow enough time for practice and improvement.
Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools Year 7 is highly competitive, but ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers with Video Explanations provide a powerful tool to maximise your child’s success.
By mirroring the GL Assessment test format, identifying weak areas, improving time management, and building confidence, our practice tests give students the best chance of securing a high score and gaining admission to Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools.
📌 Start preparing today with ExamTutor and set your child on the path to 11+ success! 🚀
Wirral & Liverpool Grammar Schools – Year 7 Admissions Criteria & How to Apply
(GL Assessment Grammar Schools)
Grammar school admissions in Wirral and Liverpool are selective and based on performance in the 11+ entrance tests, with several schools using GL Assessment. Some schools operate independently, so application processes and test providers can vary slightly — but most Wirral grammar schools use the same GL-style exam format.
🏫 Grammar Schools in Wirral & Liverpool
✅ Wirral Grammar Schools (GL Assessment Users)
| School | Gender | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wirral Grammar School for Boys | Boys | Bebington |
| Wirral Grammar School for Girls | Girls | Bebington |
| Calday Grange Grammar School | Boys (co-ed 6F) | West Kirby |
| West Kirby Grammar School | Girls (co-ed 6F) | West Kirby |
| Upton Hall School FCJ | Girls (Catholic) | Upton |
| St Anselm’s College | Boys (Catholic) | Birkenhead |
✅ These schools primarily use GL Assessment 11+ tests, administered by the Wirral Local Authority.
✅ Liverpool Grammar School (Separate Process)
| School | Gender | Location | Test Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Blue Coat School | Co-educational | Wavertree | School-set test (not GL) |
⚠️ Blue Coat School in Liverpool is not part of the GL Assessment group. It uses its own entrance test, so it is not covered in this guide.
✅ GL Assessment 11+ – What’s Tested?
For Wirral grammar schools, the 11+ consists of two GL Assessment papers:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Mathematics
- The papers are multiple-choice and age-standardised
- Each paper is approx. 50–60 minutes
- Administered by Wirral Council on behalf of the schools
🎯 Qualifying Score
- A standardised score of 236 or more (out of 280) is usually required to be considered for a place
- Score thresholds may vary slightly by school and year
📝 How to Apply for Wirral Grammar Schools
✅ Step 1: Register for the 11+ Test
- Opens: May
- Closes: 31st May
- Register via the Wirral Council portal: 🔗 www.wirral.gov.uk/schooladmissions
✅ Step 2: Sit the GL Assessment Test
- Test date: September (for most schools)
- Children take the test at one of the grammar schools or a designated test centre
✅ Step 3: Receive Results
- Results released: Early–Mid October 2024
- You’ll find out if your child has achieved the qualifying score
✅ Step 4: Submit Common Application Form (CAF)
- List your chosen grammar schools (up to 5)
- Deadline: 31st October
- Submit via your home local authority
✅ Step 5: National Offer Day
- Offers made: 1st March
📌 Oversubscription Criteria (Summary)
If more pupils pass than places available, schools prioritise:
- Looked After / Previously Looked After Children
- Pupil Premium / Free School Meals eligibility
- Siblings already at the school
- Distance from school
- Score ranking
Each school publishes its own admissions policy detailing how places are allocated.
🔗 Useful Links
-
Wirral School Admissions:
www.wirral.gov.uk/schooladmissions -
Individual Schools:
