About Wolverhampton Grammar School
Wolverhampton Grammar School (WGS) is a co-educational independent day school on Compton Road, Wolverhampton, founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns. It educates around 800 pupils from Reception to Year 13 and is among the strongest independent schools in the West Midlands. As an independent school it charges fees — around £14,760 a year for the senior school (2025/26; confirm the current figure with the school).
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance test, held in January for the following September — papers in English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. You register directly with the school (for September 2026 entry the deadline was early December; expect a similar window for 2027). Scholarships and bursaries are available.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Wolverhampton Grammar School
Wolverhampton Grammar School Admissions Criteria
Wolverhampton Grammar School is a co-educational independent day school in Birmingham & West Midlands. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Wolverhampton Grammar School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Wolverhampton Grammar School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Wolverhampton Grammar School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Wolverhampton Grammar School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Wolverhampton Grammar School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Wolverhampton Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Wolverhampton Grammar School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Wolverhampton Grammar School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Wolverhampton Grammar School
Step 1 — Make an informal enquiry via the Admissions Team (01902 422939
Make an informal enquiry via the Admissions Team (01902 422939) or fill out the online enquiry form
Step 2 — Attend a Discovery Day in Spring (Year 5
Attend a Discovery Day in Spring (Year 5) or one of the school's open events
Step 3 — Register for the Entrance Test by Friday 5 December 2025
Register for the Entrance Test by Friday 5 December 2025 for September 2026 entry
Step 4 — Specify interest in scholarships
Specify interest in scholarships or bursaries at the time of registering
Step 5 — Your child sits the Entrance Test in January of Year 6
Your child sits the Entrance Test in January of Year 6
Step 6 — The school requests a reference from your child's current
The school requests a reference from your child's current school
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated — on acceptance, pay the deposit
Step 8 — Scholarship and bursary registration deadline: Friday 9
Scholarship and bursary registration deadline: Friday 9 February for entry the following September
Subjects Tested at Wolverhampton Grammar School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Wolverhampton Grammar School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Scholarships and bursaries awarded following assessment
Additional notes: Discovery Day in Spring is an ideal way for Year 5 pupils to taste senior school life ahead of the Entrance Test the following year. Next Discovery Day: Saturday 26 April 2025.
Academic Performance at Wolverhampton Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Wolverhampton Grammar School is among the strongest independent schools in the region, with consistently strong results at GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a strong record (recently around 70% of grades at 9–7, with 60% at 9–8).
- A-Level: strong results (around 70–74% at A*–B), with offers to Cambridge and Russell Group universities on competitive courses.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Wolverhampton Grammar School
As an independent school, WGS has no catchment area; families come from across Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the wider West Midlands. Places are awarded on the entrance test.
WGS offers academic and other scholarships plus means-tested bursaries; you can register an interest when you apply for the entrance test.
Independent Practice Papers for Wolverhampton Grammar School
Wolverhampton Grammar School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — 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 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Wolverhampton Grammar School 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.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns, a wool merchant and Lord Mayor of London, Wolverhampton Grammar School (WGS) is an HMC co-educational independent day school (ages 4–18) on Compton Road in Wolverhampton — one of the oldest schools in the country. Originally a boys’ grammar school, it admitted girls to the Sixth Form in 1984 and became fully co-educational in 1992; it is known for deliberately small classes (no more than 15), award-winning leadership and exceptional pastoral care, with a house system central to school life from Year 8.
Co-curricular provision is region-leading — spanning sport, music, drama and a long tradition of charity fundraising — and Sixth Formers have their own dedicated centre. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Wolverhampton Grammar School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to WGS for Year 7?
Register directly with the school for the January entrance test; for September 2026 entry the deadline was early December, so expect a similar window for 2027. You can register an interest in a scholarship or bursary at the same time.
What is the WGS entrance test?
The school's own test, held in January — papers in English (technical English, comprehension and writing), Mathematics (arithmetic and problem-solving) and Verbal Reasoning.
Is WGS selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a selective co-educational independent day school, so it charges fees (around £14,760 a year for the senior school in 2025/26; confirm the current figure with the school).
Is WGS co-educational?
Yes — WGS is fully co-educational, from Reception through to Year 13.
Does WGS have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits pupils from any area; families travel in from across the West Midlands.
When is the entrance test?
In January for entry the following September (January 2027 for September 2027 entry); register by around early December 2026.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — WGS offers academic and other scholarships plus means-tested bursaries; register an interest when you apply for the entrance test.
What does the entrance test cover?
Three papers: English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. There is no separate non-verbal reasoning paper.
How can my child prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths and practise timed verbal reasoning and writing. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.