Grammar School Entrance Examination (11+)
Updated April 2023
Dear parents and families, this page is designed to give you information and support if your child is considering sitting Wirral's grammar school entrance examination tests (commonly referred to as 11+). Currently we are planning for the tests to take place as planned in September 2023. We will add dates for 2023 as soon as they are confirmed.
At the bottom of this page is Mr Cassidy's admissions and 11+ parents' presentation . St George's will organise tuition for children every Tuesday morning between 7.45-8.45am. Children can access the tuition resources on google classroom during the term and summer holidays.
There will be 60 hours of practice material including;
- self marking practice tests,
- presentations,
- online tests
- video lesson links.
Below we have added a table of free resources that families can access. This is in addition to the recommended list of remote curriculum learning resources available on our website. You can access this by clicking here.
From 2021, the non catholic grammar schools changed to GL assessments as the test provider (has previously been CEM assessments). Those schools are:
Calday Grammar School for Boys
West Kirby Grammar School for Girls
Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar School for Girls
Online registration for Wirral's non-Catholic Grammar Schools opens on 1st May. To register and to find the most up-to-date information, please use the Wirral Schools Admission Page.
GL assessments have readily available familiarisation materials which can be accessed below: https://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/products/11plus-series-11-plus-practice-papers/11plus-familiarisation-material.
Links to high quality free resources:
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Bond are a commercial supplier of resources to support tuition for grammar school examinations (known as 11+). They have created a bank of free resources that you can access by clicking here.
Also have a free set of interactive tests that can be accessed by clicking here. |
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Eleven Plus Exams have created a collection of free 11+ preparation guides and practice papers for families.
https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/study-from-homeYou can access them by clicking here. |
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CGP are a commercial supplier of resources to support tuition for grammar school examinations (known as 11+). They have created a bank of free resources that you can access by clicking here. |
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11 Plus Guide is designed to be a one stop for families considering the 11+. They have compiled a helpful page of free resources to support your child. That can be read by clicking here. |
Parents can also source high quality resources online, through apps and via publishers. These are good for familiarisation. Children should not be expected to work at test speed until September of the tests.
There are other selective schools in Wirral that administer their own admission examinations and processes. They are:
Upton Hall Grammar School for girls
St Anselm's Grammar School for boys
Birkenhead High School Academy for girls
We will update you with any changes if we receive further information. Please scroll down to find further information, including the Wirral Admissions Assessment Familiarisation document, a practice paper and some vocabulary work from Mr Cassidy's booster classes.
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TEST VENUES WILL BE CONFIRMED BY THE START OF SEPTEMBER FOR 2023 TESTS.
Timetable below is a typical timetable from 2022.
Wirral has a range of selective and non-selective secondary schools. The selective schools administer entrance examinations. Four of the grammar schools use Wirral's co-ordinated entrance examination (11+) as their admissions examination. The examinations are developed by GL assessment (starting from September 2020). The exam is designed to reflect children's school based learning and be tutor resistant. The examination consists of:
- non-verbal reasoning,
- verbal reasoning, vocabulary and spelling,
- mathematics
- reading and comprehension in English sections.
Example timetable for parents considering applying for their children to undertake the grammar school entrance examination is below
INTENDED TIMETABLE for 2023 (Sept 24 admissions)
- 1st SEPTEMBER Online application system goes live-Preference forms and booklets available
- 16th SEPTEMBER Upton Hall assessment date
- 22nd SEPTEMBER St Anselms's assessment date
- 18th SEPTEMBER 2022 (TBC) Non-Catholic selective assessments (11+)
- TBC (usually early November) Birkenhead High School Academy music assessments
- 31 OCTOBER Deadline for preference forms
- 1 MARCH ALLOCATION DAY
The 11+ assessment request forms are made available each year from the beginning of May for children in Year 5 who will be applying for secondary school places. The form will be available from the Wirral Council's admissions portal from May onwards. Assessment request forms are for parents who want their child to take the 11+ assessment in September. Forms need to be returned to Wirral Local Authority by 31st May.
We support children and families with the admission process for grammar schools. We do this through:
- Parents' information meeting in May April
- Providing children with free Year 5 booster sessions in the Summer Term of Year 5 Tuesday morning for 2023).
The attached Power Point presentation provides some more information and guidance for families.
ALL tests are now taken at the Grammar School. Attached letter from heads at Wirral Grammar Schools explains this change. St George's Primary School and other Wallasey Primary Schools did not vote to support this change.
We have also attached:
- An example paper from another borough. Remember that the format will change very year.
- Letter from CEM regarding tests.
- Wirral Council's Familiarisation booklet (we will work through this at school).
Further help and resources can be found below:
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School Entrance Tests have a wealth of resources for families. Includes links to national example papers and information for families about entrance examinations. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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Oxford Owl have published their useful 11+ help guide for families. Contains lots of frequently asked questions. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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The Exam Coach has an 18 point help guide for families considering how to prepare their child for the 11+ examinations. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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Eleven Plus Exams has a wealth of free resources and support for families considering the 11+. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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CGP have published a useful 11+ help guide for families. Lots of free resources as well as advertisements for their own products. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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11 Plus Guide have created a free and independent ‘one stop’ shop for families. Have a lot of free resources, advice and links to products that you can buy to help with learning at home. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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Bond are a commercial supplier of resources to support tuition for grammar school examinations (known as 11+). They have created a bank of free resources that you can access by clicking here.
Also have a free set of interactive tests that can be accessed by clicking here. |
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11 Plus DIY offer a vast range of 11+ resources and support for families. Includes free guides, test papers and their own products and tutoring that they sell. You can visit their website by clicking here. |
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11 Plus Swot was written by a parent who was frustrated by the lack of 11+ guidance and support to families. They have lots of free advice but also sell products and tutoring online. You can visit heir website by clicking here. |