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.

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.

School Fees from September 2024 are:

Senior School (Years 7 and 8)   –   £4,565 per term
Seniors School (Years 9 to 11)   –   £5,185 per term
Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13)    –   £5,250 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.