Calday Grange Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Boys' grammar school (ages 11-18) with co-educational sixth form
• Location: West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside
• Founded: 1636 - oldest surviving grammar school on the Wirral peninsula
• Pupils: 1,492 boys with 398 in co-educational sixth form
• Headteacher: Mr Stephen Gray
• Ofsted Rating: Good (September 2019)
• Admission: Academically selective via 11+ examination

About Calday Grange Grammar School

Calday Grange Grammar School occupies a unique position in British education as the Wirral peninsula's oldest surviving grammar school, with nearly four centuries of educational excellence since its founding in 1636. Located on the scenic Caldy Hill in West Kirby, this boys' grammar school has evolved thoughtfully whilst maintaining its core mission of providing rigorous academic education.

The school's transformation to include a co-educational sixth form in 1985 demonstrates its commitment to adapting to modern educational needs whilst preserving its distinctive character. With 1,492 pupils, including 398 in the sixth form, Calday Grange maintains an environment where academic achievement flourishes alongside personal development.

The school's location provides both historical significance and practical advantages, with purpose-built facilities complemented by additional sports grounds nearby. This combination of heritage and modern resources creates an environment where tradition meets contemporary educational excellence.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Calday Grange Grammar School's 11+ examination serves as the primary gateway for admission, designed to identify students with strong academic potential across core subjects. The assessment typically evaluates:

• English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and written expression
• Mathematics: Problem-solving abilities, numerical reasoning, and logical thinking
• Verbal Reasoning: Language-based puzzles and analytical skills
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Visual pattern recognition and spatial awareness

The school considers the 11+ results alongside students' previous academic records, extracurricular involvement, and potential contribution to the school community. This holistic approach ensures that successful candidates not only demonstrate academic ability but also show readiness to engage with the school's broader educational programme.

Performance standards reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence, with successful candidates typically demonstrating consistent achievement across all assessment areas.

How to Apply

The application process for Calday Grange Grammar School follows a structured timeline:

• Initial Registration: Complete application forms by the specified deadline
• 11+ Examination: Attend the scheduled assessment session
• Supporting Documentation: Submit academic records and references
• School Visits: Attend open days to understand the school environment
• Results and Offers: Receive notification of assessment outcomes

Families are strongly encouraged to attend the school's open events, which provide valuable insights into daily life at Calday Grange and allow prospective students to experience the school's atmosphere firsthand. The admissions team provides comprehensive guidance throughout the process, ensuring families understand each stage and requirement.

Early engagement with the school's admissions process allows families to prepare effectively and demonstrates genuine interest in joining the Calday Grange community.

Preparing for the Calday Grange Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Calday Grange Grammar School 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.