About Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools
This area has seven grammar schools — six on the Wirral and one in Liverpool. Four share the Wirral Admissions Test: Calday Grange (boys), West Kirby (girls), Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Wirral Grammar School for Girls. Your child sits that test once for all four.
The other three set their own tests: St Anselm’s College (Catholic boys) and Upton Hall School FCJ (Catholic girls) on the Wirral, and The Liverpool Blue Coat School. Register with each of these individually.
For September 2027 entry, Wirral Admissions Test registration opens 1 May 2026 and closes 1 June 2026; the test is on Tuesday 15 September 2026, with results in mid-October. You register via Wirral Council, then list schools on your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October; oversubscribed places are allocated by distance.
Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools
The seven grammar schools across the Wirral and Liverpool, with their test routes. Four share the Wirral Admissions Test; three set their own. Click any school for its detailed admission guide, catchment and key dates:
The four Wirral Admissions Test schools share one result, allocating oversubscribed places by distance. St Anselm’s, Upton Hall and the Liverpool Blue Coat School each set their own papers and admissions, so register with them directly.
About the Wirral Admissions Test
The Wirral Admissions Test is the shared 11+ used by the four non-Catholic Wirral grammar schools. Your child sits it once, even when applying to several of the four. For 2027 entry the papers are supplied by Quest Assessments (the test was previously provided by GL Assessment).
Format: two multiple-choice papers on the same day, each around 50–60 minutes, covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal/spatial reasoning and mathematics. Scores are age-standardised and combined.
The test is on Tuesday 15 September 2026 for 2027 entry; results follow in mid-October. Reaching the qualifying standard makes a child eligible; where a school is oversubscribed, places are allocated by distance from the school.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools
The four non-Catholic Wirral grammar schools share one Wirral Admissions Test: register your child via Wirral Council during the window — for 2027 entry, 1 May to 1 June 2026. Your child sits the test once on Tuesday 15 September 2026 (papers supplied by Quest Assessments for 2027 entry); results arrive in mid-October. You then list schools on your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March). Where a school is oversubscribed, places are allocated by distance. St Anselm’s College, Upton Hall School FCJ and The Liverpool Blue Coat School each set their own separate tests, so register with them directly.
What the Wirral Admissions Test Covers
The Wirral Admissions Test assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal/spatial reasoning and mathematics across two papers. Practising realistic 11+ material across these areas is the most effective preparation.
Wirral Admissions Test Practice Papers for Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools
Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools 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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- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
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- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
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- 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 Wirral Admissions Test
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.
Wirral and Liverpool Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are in this area?
Seven — six on the Wirral and one in Liverpool (The Blue Coat School).
What is the Wirral Admissions Test?
The shared 11+ used by Calday Grange, West Kirby, Wirral Grammar for Boys and Wirral Grammar for Girls — two multiple-choice papers covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal/spatial reasoning and mathematics.
Who provides the test?
For 2027 entry the papers are supplied by Quest Assessments; the test was previously provided by GL Assessment.
Do I sit a separate test for each school?
For the four Wirral Admissions Test schools, no — you sit once. St Anselm's, Upton Hall and the Liverpool Blue Coat School each require their own separate tests.
How do I register?
Register for the Wirral Admissions Test via Wirral Council (1 May to 1 June 2026 for 2027 entry); the test is on 15 September 2026. Register with the other three schools directly.
How do I apply for a place?
List your chosen schools on your local authority's Common Application Form by 31 October; offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
How are oversubscribed places decided?
By distance from the school among children who meet the qualifying standard, alongside each school's other criteria.
What about the Catholic schools and Blue Coat?
St Anselm's College and Upton Hall School FCJ (both Catholic) and The Liverpool Blue Coat School set their own papers and admissions, so check each school directly.