Independence to Inspire
Independence to Inspire
Independence to Inspire
Independence to Inspire

Welcome to Birkenhead School – Seniors

Year 7 to 11 Entry

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Birkenhead School, an HMC independent school and Wirral’s only co-educational selective school. 

We are aware of the considerable privilege in shaping the educational journey of your son or daughter through their formative school years. Our focus is to know the individual, to develop their core values and to provide a breadth of academic and wider opportunities so that we can nurture ambitious and responsible young men and women. Our co-curricular programme looks to allow each individual to find their niche, whether it lies in academia, sport, music, drama, service or leadership. We look forward to welcoming you to Birkenhead School and showing you what difference an independent education could make to your son or daughter’s educational journey. 

*Early enquiry and application is strongly encouraged as the School has operated a waiting list for Year 7 entry in recent years* 

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

 

Whole School Open Day

Saturday 27th April 2024

Our Open Events are an excellent opportunity to speak to staff and students about the wide range of opportunities available at the School and see what sets the School apart from other schools within the area.

Register Your Interest.

If you would like to meet our staff and students and experience Birkenhead School for yourself please complete the form below.

We look forward to welcoming you.

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Assessment Days 

2024 Entry (Year 6 applicants) – 15/16/17th January 2024

2025 Entry (Year 5 applicants) – 17/18/19th June 2024

Early application and attendance at the June Assessment Days (for Year 5 pupils) is strongly encouraged as the School operates a waiting list for Year 7 places.

 

Book A Personal Tour 

Find out about our academic, sport and music offerings, hear from students and discover what difference an independent education could make to your son or daughter’s educational journey.

Why Choose Birkenhead School:

Class sizes - smaller class sizes allow each student to be known and individual talents and abilities nurtured, stretched and developed.

Academic – research shows that attending an independent school can add the equivalent of two additional years of schooling by the age of 16.

Pastoral Care – a supportive School community where the happiness and pastoral care of our students is a top priority.

Beyond the Curriculum – a curriculum that goes beyond the National Curriculum, offering lessons on topics such as etiquette training and public speaking.

Leadership Opportunities – a leadership programme where students are encouraged to take on leadership and mentoring roles across the School community.

Co-Curricular Programme – an outstanding co-curricular programme comprising of Sport, Music, Drama, Trips both at home and abroad.

Clubs and activities – an extensive programme of clubs to choose from each week – from Sports and Music clubs to Electronics and Art Club – there is something for everyone to choose, try and enjoy.

A warm and welcoming School community - that allows your child to grow and develop through to Sixth Form and the wider alumni network.

Explore Our Campus

What people say

“HMC schools provide unrivalled co-curricular time – at least double the national average – enabling our pupils to develop their talents.”

HMC – Association of World’s Leading Independent Schools

“The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

“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’ attitudes to learning are excellent. They are enthusiastic and ambitious learners, with a tangible desire to succeed.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

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

Good Schools Guide

“I want every student to discover their niche or passion whilst at the School – that is my aim”

Mr Vicars, Headmaster

“Pupils are confident and articulate speakers, listen well and write fluently in a range of styles.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Admissions Process?

Enquiries for admission to Seniors (Year 7) can be made at any stage of the year or by attending either of our Open Events held in the Michaelmas or Summer terms.

*Early enquiry and application is strongly encouraged as the School has operated a waiting list for Year 7 entry in recent years* 

Applications for assessment can be made either at the end of Year 5 or the beginning of Year 6 and application forms are available at the Open Events or from Ms Hopper, Seniors Admissions, at any time.

Taster & Assessment Days take place as follows:

Year 5 Assessment Days – June

Year 6 Assessment Days – January

Children are invited to attend the Taster & Assessment Days in small groups and the day is intended to be an enjoyable experience for the children, whilst at the same time providing us with an opportunity to assess them in formal and informal situations. No specific preparation is required, although parents may wish to know that children will take an online adaptive assessment, which will cover four areas: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Mathematics.We recognise that the children are still young and we involve Prep staff who work with Year 5/6 pupils in the assessment process.  References are also requested from the child’s current school.

Families are also invited to meet with Mr Vicars, Headmaster, and have a personalised tour of the School with a member of our Prefect team

Please note that the School has operated a waiting list for Year 7 entry. Some families looking at Seniors, have also chosen to move schools ahead of Seniors, with the child starting in Prep, subject to places being available.

Are there opportunities to attend a Taster Day?

Ms Hopper, Seniors Admissions, can advise on Taster Days for Years 8,9,10 and 11 as it may be possible to join mid-year if places are available.

What are the School fees?

School Fees from September 2023 are:

Senior School (Years 7 and 8)   –   £4,520 per term
Seniors School (Years 9 to 11)   –   £4,895 per term
Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13)    –   £4,4955 per term

Fees include, in addition to the cost of tuition and a wide range of co-curricular activities, almost all textbooks 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 fees. They are provided towards the core School fees, and not in support of lunches, uniform or other additional  provision such as music tuition.

For those applying for entry to Year 7, bursaries are considered twice during the year; in the Michaelmas Term for those who have undertaken the Year 5 Assessment; and in February following the Year 6 Assessment.

Families should be aware that dependent on the outcome of the June Year 5 assessment days, there may be fewer places and limited bursary funding left for those attending the January Year 6 assessment days.

In addition to bursaries, the School offers Academic and Music Scholarships for entry into Year 7 in recognition of outstanding potential.

Bursaries will apply from the start of the following academic year.

Further information on Bursaries and Scholarships available can be found online at: https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/Admissions/Scholarships-Bursaries or by contacting Ms Hopper, Seniors Admissions.

What is the School Day?

Below is an example of the Prep School Day – please note that timings may vary according to Year Group and current COVID restrictions:

 

8.30am Registration
8.40am Chapel Service / Assembly / Personal, Social and Health Education
9.00am Period 1
9.40am Period 2
10.20am Period 3
11.00am Break
11.20am Period 4
12.00pm Period 5
12.40pm Lunch / Co-Curricular Activities
1.40pm Period 6
2.30pm Period 7
3.10pm Period 8
3.40pm

3.50pm

Registration

End of School Day / Co-Curricular Activities

What is the Curriculum offer?

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum that goes beyond statutory requirements and in Years 9 and 10 students can tailor their studies according to their individual strengths and future career plans.  It is at this stage that students start work towards GCSEs in selected subjects from Year 9. Further information can be found on the School website at: https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/Senior/The-Curriculum/The-Curriculum

What bus services are available?

The School operates a number of bus services to the School which use School minibuses and School drivers. In addition, a number of public school bus routes operate that serve the majority of Wirral and a new Liverpool bus service started from September 2021.

Further information on all current travel options can be found online at: https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/Admissions/Bus-Routes-Travel

What Clubs and Activities are available?

We offer a wide range of clubs and activities within Seniors so that learning is extended beyond the classroom and there are opportunities for students to try out new interests and passions. Information on our co-curricular programme including sports, music and drama provision are contained in the video carousel above.

In addition, students can choose to take part in a wide range of clubs that take place both before, during and after the School day. From music and sports clubs to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, podcasting, debating and astronomy – there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding Open Events or how to apply to Birkenhead School please contact our Admissions team.
We look forward to welcoming you to Birkenhead School.


EARLY YEARS PREP 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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