About Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a selective boys' grammar school in Bebington, Wirral, admitting 155 boys per year. It is part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium with Calday Grange, West Kirby Grammar and Wirral Grammar Girls, all sharing the same GL Assessment Wirral Admissions Test. Qualifying score: 236+. Assessment Request Form by 31st May (Year 5). The school has a co-educational Sixth Form.
Wirral Grammar School for Boys provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 40.1%. A-Level A*–B: 56.9%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 155 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.
Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 (155 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar School for Boys Admissions Criteria
Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a selective boys' grammar school in Bebington, Wirral, admitting 155 boys per year. It is part of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium with Calday Grange, West Kirby Grammar and Wirral Grammar Girls, all sharing the same GL Assessment Wirral Admissions Test. Qualifying score: 236+. Assessment Request Form by 31st May (Year 5). The school has a co-educational Sixth Form.
- ✓Complete an Assessment Request Form via the Wirral Council website or any consortium school — available 1st May, deadline 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 boys (highest priority).
- ✓Boys who achieve the qualifying score of 236+, ranked by score.
- ✓Distance from school as tie-breaker.
- ✓Complete the Wirral Parental Preference Form or your LA CAF by 31st October.
Wirral Grammar School for Boys Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 155 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys)
- 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 — Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys
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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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
- 200 video explanations
- 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a high-performing Wirral boys' grammar with consistently strong GCSE and A-Level results.
- GCSE: over 95% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in both English and maths.
- Progression: many leavers going on to Russell Group universities.
- Strengths: science, technology and sport, with a wide enrichment programme from rugby and football to music, drama and robotics.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Wirral Grammar School for Boys
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 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 155 boys to Year 7 and has no formal catchment area — once a boy meets the qualifying score, proximity decides remaining places, measured by Wirral Local Authority's computer mapping from home to school. 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
Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a selective boys' grammar for ages 11–18, with a sixth form, on Cross Lane in Bebington, Wirral, Merseyside (CH63 3AQ). Founded in 1931, it is a non-denominational school whose motto, Sapientia Ianua Vitae ('Wisdom is the gateway to life'), reflects its focus on curiosity and lifelong learning.
The school combines tradition with modern learning and strong facilities in science, technology and sport, alongside a broad enrichment and leadership programme. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wirral Grammar School for Boys
How do I apply to Wirral Grammar School for Boys for Year 7?
Applications to Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Wirral Grammar School for Boys use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys?
Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 155 places.
How many Year 7 places does Wirral Grammar School for Boys have?
Wirral Grammar School for Boys admits 155 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys's waiting list.
Is Wirral Grammar School for Boys a state school or fee-paying?
Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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 Wirral Grammar School for Boys's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Wirral Grammar School for Boys 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.