Grammar schools in Birkenhead
There are no grammar schools in Birkenhead.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Wirral has 6 of them, but none in Birkenhead itself — so every state secondary in Birkenhead admits without a selective test.
The nearest is St Anselm's College, about 0.7 miles away in Wirral. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Grammar schools elsewhere in Wirral
Wirral has 6 grammar schools, but none in Birkenhead itself.
- Calday Grange Grammar School — Wirral
- St Anselm's College — Prenton
- Upton Hall School FCJ — Wirral
- West Kirby Grammar School — Wirral
- Wirral Grammar School for Boys — Wirral
- Wirral Grammar School for Girls — Wirral
Nearest grammar schools to Birkenhead
Straight-line distance from the centre of Birkenhead — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Anselm's College | Prenton | 0.7 miles | Boys | Good |
| Ballyclare High School | BALLYCLARE | 2.6 miles | — | — |
| Wirral Grammar School for Girls | Wirral | 2.7 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| Upton Hall School FCJ | Wirral | 2.7 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| Wirral Grammar School for Boys | Wirral | 2.7 miles | Boys | Good |
| Belfast High School | NEWTOWNABBEY | 4.3 miles | — | — |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
St Anselm's College — 2026 entry
- Baptised Catholic Looked After and previously Looked After Boys (published source)
- Baptised Catholic boys living in the relevant area (Wirral, Cheshire West and Chester, and other areas within 10 miles of the College) (published source)
- All other Looked After and previously Looked After boys (published source)
Wirral Grammar School for Girls — 2026 entry
- Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children (published source)
- Valid medical reason supported by a doctor's letter (published source)
- Up to 15 places: Free School Meals girls achieving the qualifying score, ranked by distance from school (published source)
Upton Hall School FCJ — 2026 entry
- Looked after, previously looked after, or adopted from state care (published source)
- Baptised Roman Catholic girls eligible for Free School Meals at time of application (published source)
- Baptised Roman Catholic girls (published source)
Wirral Grammar School for Boys — 2026 entry
- Up to 30 places: Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (incl. those in care outside England), or Pupil/Service Premium children, at or up to 5 marks below the eligible score (published source)
- Valid medical reason for a specific placement, evidenced by a health professional (published source)
- Siblings (incl. step/foster/adopted) attending the school at time of application (published source)
Schools in Birkenhead
Birkenhead has 18 open schools. Browse all Birkenhead schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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