SchoolScoresWest Kirby Grammar School
Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form
Part of WEST KIRBY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Graham Road, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 5DP
0151 632 3449 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 November 2022.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
183 pupils in this year group.
96% — 52 points above the Wirral average, and 50 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 96% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 71.3 | 45.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 6.8 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
185 pupils in this year group.
98% — 7 points above the Wirral average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 77% | 38% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 16% | 19% | 13% |
| Further education college | 2% | 25% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 98% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
141 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 36% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 65% | 54% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 39.3 | 35.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
29 subjects, 428 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 56 | 9% | 32% | 19% |
| Biology | 45 | 18% | 44% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 38 | 24% | 50% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 35 | 11% | 40% | 30% |
| Geography | 26 | 23% | 42% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 23 | 0% | 17% | 22% |
| Government and Politics | 21 | 24% | 33% | 26% |
| English Language | 17 | 0% | 6% | 13% |
| Business Studies:Single | 15 | 0% | 27% | 16% |
| English Literature | 15 | 20% | 40% | 23% |
| History | 15 | 13% | 40% | 23% |
| Physics | 15 | 0% | 33% | 31% |
| Spanish | 14 | 0% | 14% | 34% |
| Film Studies | 13 | 8% | 31% | 17% |
| Economics | 10 | 10% | 40% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 0% | 38% | 38% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 8 | 0% | 13% | 15% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | 25% | 75% | 59% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 7 | 0% | 29% | 19% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 6 | 33% | 100% | 32% |
| Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| German | 6 | 0% | 33% | 42% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, French, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Music, Art and Design (Textiles), Latin, Sociology.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
159 students in this year group.
91% — 12 points above the Wirral average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 21% | 25% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 91% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
176 students in this year group.
81% — 18 points above the Wirral average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 81% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 46% | 23% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 81% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Wirral. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 172 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 163 |
| Of those, offered a place | 160 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 366 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 31.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.4% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5% | 15.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 89% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 90% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 0.7 | 12.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 0.6% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6 | 15.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 57% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.7% | 12.5%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Hilbre High School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Calday Grange Grammar School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2024 · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is West Kirby Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
West Kirby Grammar School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 November 2022.
How did West Kirby Grammar School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 96% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 50 points above the England average of 45%.
Is West Kirby Grammar School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 163 families put West Kirby Grammar School as their first choice for 172 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 160 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137243.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.