St Anselm's College: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Name: St Anselm's College
• Location: Manor Hill, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH43 1UQ
• Type: Catholic Grammar School for Boys
• Number of Pupils: Approximately 1,000
• Year 7 Places Available: 156
• Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)
• Contact: [email protected]

About St Anselm's College

St Anselm's College is a prestigious Catholic grammar school for boys situated on Manor Hill in Birkenhead, overlooking the Mersey towards Liverpool. Founded on the educational philosophy of Edmund Rice, the college has established itself as one of the Wirral's leading academic institutions, combining rigorous scholarship with strong Catholic values.

The college's distinctive approach centres on developing young men of character and intellect. With approximately 1,000 pupils, St Anselm's maintains an environment where each boy receives personalised attention whilst benefiting from the resources and opportunities of a large institution. The school's commitment to excellence is reflected in its consistent academic achievements and the success of its alumni across diverse professional fields.

Beyond academics, St Anselm's is renowned for its exceptional sporting tradition, particularly in rugby and cricket, where teams regularly compete at national level. The college's comprehensive extracurricular programme encompasses music, drama, debate, and community service, ensuring boys develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for leadership roles in their chosen careers.

The 11+ Assessment Process

St Anselm's College operates its own selective entrance examination designed to identify boys with the academic potential to thrive in a grammar school environment. The assessment consists of two comprehensive one-hour papers that evaluate fundamental skills in English and Mathematics.

English Paper Structure

The English assessment comprises two distinct sections, each allocated approximately 25 minutes:

• Reading Comprehension: Candidates analyse unseen texts, demonstrating understanding of language, tone, and meaning through detailed questions
• Creative Writing: Boys showcase their ability to construct engaging narratives or persuasive arguments, with emphasis on vocabulary, structure, and originality

Mathematics Paper Content

The mathematics examination covers the full Year 6 curriculum, including:

• Number operations and problem-solving
• Fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Geometry and measurement
• Data handling and statistics
• Algebraic thinking and pattern recognition

Results are ranked from highest to lowest scores, with the college setting a required standard for admission. When more than 156 candidates meet this threshold, places are allocated according to the admissions criteria, prioritising Catholic applicants and those residing within the designated catchment area.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry follows a structured timeline that families must observe carefully:

Key Dates for 2024-2025 Entry

• Registration Opens: April 2024
• Registration Closes: Friday, 13th September 2024
• Entrance Examination: Friday, 20th September 2024
• Results Notification: Mid-October 2024
• Common Application Deadline: Thursday, 31st October 2024
• National School Offers Day: Monday, 3rd March 2025

Application Requirements

Parents must complete the registration process during the specified period and ensure their son sits the entrance examination on the designated date. Catholic families are advised to upload their child's baptismal certificate during registration, as Catholic status influences admissions priority under the school's faith-based criteria.

Following the entrance examination, successful candidates must also submit a Common Application Form through their local authority by the October deadline to secure their place for the following September.

Preparing for the St Anselm's College 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the St Anselm's College 11+ tends to go best when it starts early and stays steady, and most families who work with us begin between twelve and eighteen months out. Our tutors, who have prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, plan the work backwards from the school's own assessment format and registration deadline.

The tutors we match to 11+ preparation are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools. 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.