There is Something Special about This School
There is Something Special about This School
There is Something Special about This School

Welcome to Birkenhead School – The Prep

Reception to Year 6 Entry

Small class sizes allow us to nurture and support children, recognising, encouraging and embracing their personal talents, strengths and passions. We look to develop inquisitive thinkers, nurturing children’s natural curiosity about the world around them; unlocking their creative potential and engendering a lifelong love of learning.

In today’s rapidly changing world, it is important children from an early age have the breadth of opportunity to develop their abilities, discover passions and fulfil their potential whilst enjoying the benefit of a caring, structured and secure environment.

Please do get in touch to discover what difference an independent education could make to your son or daughter’s educational journey.

We look forward to welcoming you to Birkenhead School.

 

* NEW – Liverpool Bus Service – 15 minutes from Liverpool City Centre *

Open Days

Upcoming Open Events and Taster Days:

Whole School Open Day – Saturday 27th April 2024, 11am-2pm

Find out more

 

‘Play & Learn’ Sessions (Reception & Year 1 Entry)

‘Play and Learn’ sessions for Reception and Year 1 entry are two-hour sessions where children are invited to spend time with children of the same age.

Reception Entry in September 2024 – Wednesday 22nd May
Year 1 Entry in September 2024 – Wednesday 15th May at 9am

Taster Days (Year 2 to Year 6 Entry)

Years 2-6 children are invited to spend a day at the School and are tailored to the individual child and their interests.

Year 2 Entry in September 2024 – Wednesday 15th May
Year 3 Entry in September 2024 – Wednesday 5th June
Year 4 Entry in September 2024 – Wednesday 22nd May
Year 5 Entry in September 2024 – Thursday 23rd May

Register Your Interest

Please complete the form below to register your interest for our Open Events or to find out more and a member of our admissions team will be in touch. We look forward to welcoming you to Birkenhead School.

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Why Choose Birkenhead School:

Class sizes - smaller class sizes that allows each child to be  seen and heard

Beyond the Curriculum – a curriculum that goes beyond the National Curriculum to truly inspire a love of learning

Outstanding Opportunities - including our Inspiring Talks Series with high-profile authors

Sport – children taking part in four hours of timetabled lessons each week in Juniors, and have full access to the School’s excellent sports facilities

Music -  group and individual lessons are taught by subject specialists and children can join our Prep Orchestra in Juniors

Leadership Pathways – opportunities to develop leadership skills from a young age

Clubs and Activities – over 50 lunchtime and after-school clubs are available each week – from Nature Club to Climbing Club – there is something for everyone to choose and enjoy

Outdoor Learning - our Outdoor Classroom, Forest School, allotments and sensory garden provide a truly inspiring place to learn

A warm and welcoming School community - where children can grow and develop through to Sixth Form and the wider alumni network.

Explore Our Campus

 

What people say

“I want every child to discover their niche or passions whilst at the School – that is my aim.”

Mr Vicars, Headmaster

“At the end of Reception, the majority are attaining well above national age-related expectations.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

“A happy school, consistently producing confident and considerate individuals, as well as top results”

Good Schools Guide

“There is a special feeling about this school, not replicated in other schools.”

Parent

“The special thing about the School is it is like a family where everyone looks after you.”

Pupil

“Pupils achieve highly across the wide range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities available to them.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

“A strong communal thread weaves through each building, stitching the academic stages and knitting friendships across year groups.”

Good Schools Guide

“Attending an independent school adds the equivalent of two additional years of schooling by the age of 16 and almost one additional grade at GCSE”

HMC

“Pupils have extremely positive attitudes to learning and are able to work both collaboratively and independently.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

When can you join Birkenhead School?

We welcome enquiries for places to join the Prep from all age groups throughout the year and early application is strongly encouraged. It is possible for children to join in different year groups, during the year, subject to places being available.

Entry points into Prep

  • Reception Entry: In the September after a child turns 4
  • Infants / Little School: Years 1 or 2
  • Juniors:  Year 3 upwards (for children aged 7 plus)

What is the Admissions Process?

When you register your interest or make an enquiry, Mrs Askew or Mrs Foreman, who look after admissions for Prep, will get in touch to organise a personalised visit with Mr FitzHerbert, Head of Prep. Following the visit your son or daughter will be invited to attend either a ‘Play and Learn Day’ for Reception places or Taster Day for Years 1 to 6. During the day they will spend time with other children, meet the teachers and take part in lessons and co-curricular activities such as sports and music. We will tailor the day according to their interests and  look to make the days an enjoyable experience for all involved.

If you child is joining Years 1 to 6 they will be asked to complete short assessments in Mathematics, English, Reading and Spelling (please note that no preparation is required).  The assessments are completed alongside a teacher and we aim to make the process as informal as possible. References will also be requested from your child’s current school.

What are the School fees?

School Fees from September 2023 are:

Reception £3,235 per term

Years 1 to 6 £3,695 per term

Fees include, in addition to the cost of tuition and a wide range of  co-curricular activities, almost all text books and materials, exercise books, examination fees (except re-sits) and a number of year group trips  (where circumstances allow), travel to sporting fixtures and a level of travel and personal accident insurance.

Do you offer Bursary Support?

Bursaries are awarded to help students take up or retain a place at the School where their parents or guardian cannot pay full fees. All Bursaries are means-tested and may cover up to 100% of the full fee. It is unusual for very young children to be awarded Bursaries as assessment of their potential has to be established before a bursary can be considered.

In addition to bursaries, the School offers different scholarships for students looking to join Year 7 or above. Further information on the Scholarships available can be found online at: https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/Admissions/Scholarships-Bursaries

What is the School Day?

Below is an example of the Prep School Day:

 

8.40am (Years 3-6)
8.50am (Reception, Years 1&2) 
Registration followed by activities such as:
Assembly / Chapel / Phonics (dependent upon year group)
9.00am  Lessons Start
Mid-Morning  Break
Midday  Lunch / Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities (1hr 10 minutes)
Mid-Afternoon  Break
3.30pm (Reception, Years 1&2)  

3.40pm (Years 3 to 6) 

End of School Day / Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities

 

What is the Curriculum offer?

Our independent status allows us to offer a broader curriculum that goes beyond the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and all the activities and learning opportunities are tailored to match the development stage of each child.

This stage of a child’s education is about discovery – finding and nurturing interests, talents and passions.  We look to provide lots of opportunities and to encourage the pursuit of individual talents and interests from an early age. Children grow in confidence during their time in Prep and the foundations for success in later life are firmly established.

In addition, our Eureka Academic Extension Programme offers stretch and challenge for our most able pupils.

For more information on the curriculum see: https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/Prep/The-Curriculum/The-Curriculum

 

What wrap-around care is available outside of School hours?

We offer a wide range of clubs and activities before and after-school to provide additional care and support outside of the school day.

 

Club  Ages  Times 
Early Morning Club  Pre-Prep to Year 6  8am – 8.30am 
Fun Club  Pre-Prep to Year 2  3.30pm – 6pm 
Junior Homework Club  Years 3 to 6  3.40pm – 6pm 
Birkenhead School Holiday Activity Weeks Ages 4 to 15  Holiday Periods 

What Clubs and Activities are available?

We recognise that the classroom is one part of the education on offer at the School and there are a wide range of clubs and activities on offer to entice and excite our pupils.

Clubs on offer can include:

Reception, Years 1 & 2

  • Art Club
  • Beavers
  • Choir Club
  • Cookery Club
  • Dance Club
  • Nature Club
  • Rounders Club
  • Science Club
  • Spanish Club 

Years 3 to 6

  • Beavers
  • Chess Club
  • Climbing Club
  • Creative Arts
  • Cricket Club Debating Club
  • Cubs
  • Drama Club 
  • Football Lacrosse Club
  • Needlecraft
  • Netball Club
  • Orchestra
  • Puzzle & Board Games Club
  • Rugby Club
  • Science Club
  • Stop Motion Film
  • Wirral Civic Award

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Contact Us

If you would like to book onto our next open day please contact our Admissions team .
We look forward to welcoming you to Birkenhead School.


EARLY YEARS SENIORS SIXTH FORM

Early Years & Prep

Prep Cottage
57 Shrewsbury Road
Oxton,Wirral
CH43 2JA

prepadmissions@birkenheadschool.co.uk

Seniors & Sixth Form

The Lodge
58 Beresford Road
Oxton, Wirral
CH43 2JD

seniorsadmissions@birkenheadschool.co.uk

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