Birkenhead School

Our View

A confident, humane, non-flashy school in the best grammar school tradition, offering an astonishing array of opportunities for personal development in and out of classroom. Not as driven as some famous ex-grammars in urban areas. It feels nearer Chester than Liverpool, more like Bootham than, say, Bolton. Head's claim of an 'open, happy community' rings true, but parents of young thrusters shouldn't be put off.

Head

Since 2003, Mr John Clark MA ('just 50'); read modern languages at Exeter College, Oxford, taught at St Paul's School, head of department at Whitgift, deputy head at Birkenhead 1996. A charming, civilised man; apparent diffidence masks a quiet authority; 'Outstanding,' says a happy parent. He knows exactly what goes on in the school, is respected by pupils for this. A good listener; compares favourably with more pushy and gimmicky heads in his concentration on the proper business of education, his excellent communication skills and readiness to take his position seriously, but not always himself. Not to be detected talking or writing about 'learning platforms'. Loves the 'huge family' of his relatively small school in a realistic, grounded way. Ably backed up by energetic deputy, Mr David Edmunds.

Academic Matters

Strong pretty well all round, results well ahead of local selective grammars, its main competitors. 2008 A level: 71 per cent A/B, nine pupils got four A grades, from 'a not very strong academic year'. Majority opt for maths and science (excellent results); largest humanities entries in history and geography. English looks a little sad by comparison. GCSE 'strongest year in school' produced 29 per cent A*, 61 per cent A* + A. Clearly school's policy of offering (and staffing) wide option range across only three-form entry pays off in terms of small classes and sets, eg language choice from Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish. Separate sciences for most to GCSE. Special needs coordinated by staff member, now helped by learning support teacher with no other teaching commitments. Parents pay for one to one tuition.
Not much staff turnover – it's a very nice place to teach and live. A general impression of fervent commitment to setting high classroom standards – and indeed to life outside the classroom.

Games, Options, the Arts

Games record amazing for size of school: cricket 1st XI ranked second nationally in Wisden list; current captain has played for Lancashire 2nd XI; Under 15 rugby side recently top of national rankings (mind, this does depend up to a point on how strong/weak your fixtures list is). Otherwise, most of the usual sports, including very successful hockey; soccer in sixth form. Since September 2008, senior girls' teams in hockey, netball, lacrosse. School has policy of sport for all, through which individuals find their niche and improve fitness: 'We're not simply interested in natural athletes'.
Enormous range of outdoor activities: CCF (all three sections), shared with local RC girls' school; D of E (32 taking gold level); 'biggest scout troop in Birkenhead'. Usual tours and expeditions.

Lively music: choral concerts with Liverpool Sinfonia, most recently Verdi 'Requiem'; much instrumental tuition; chapel choir, claimed unique among day schools in holding weekly evensong during term, involving pupils from age 10 to 18. Active drama.

Background and Atmosphere

Founded 1860, became direct grant, then independent in 1976. An unusual campus, hinted at in school's suburban address. Walking along the four comfortable, tree-lined roads that define the school, you won't guess at the existence of a lively school of 700 lurking behind the screen of large houses and sundry buildings. In fact, it's an agreeable jumble of old and new, including a handsome Victorian chapel and a fine cricket field. Years 7 and 8 housed in an elegant mansion, with its own playground and year 8 prefects, helping transition to serious senior school. At present, a handful of girls in the sixth, but they're building up in the prep school and due to fill out ages 11-16. Co-education originally planned with Birkenhead High School, but this has now become an academy, so school is going it alone – to everyone's relief, it seems. Integration of girls in prep has gone smoothly (excellent head), and should continue; campus is a civilised place, and supervision of all ages discreet but effective. Recent ISI inspection noted 'exemplary' pupils' behaviour.

Liverpool proper may be just across the water, but it feels miles away. The Wirral is a pretty conservative place, and the school is happy with its own traditional elements: little boys wear caps, prefects wear gowns, and the head enters assembly to the head of school's cry of 'School!', whereupon all stand up. Trendy potential parents may not like this.

Developments on the way include more prep school classrooms (including science and IT), extensions to sixth form block, improvements to pavilion; a swimming pool is a gleam in the eye. 'In Focus', a superb termly newsletter, full of pictures, is the brainchild of the remarkable head's PA and school lynchpin.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Traditional day school system; interlocking staff responsibilities mean it's very hard to fall through the pastoral net – commended in ISI report as 'outstanding'. Report also quotes a boy: 'We don't do bullying here'. One expulsion for drug use in last five years; pupils can be temporarily excluded for rudeness and vandalism. Hooray!

Pupils and Parents

Pupils mostly from the Wirral and as far as Chester; some walk, some use public transport, many use school bus system shared with Birkenhead High. Pupils seem articulate, confident, happy with work ethos, and yes, a touch conventional. Their alternative sixth form prospectus is worth a read, though hardly very shocking. Parents mostly professional and business, heavily committed to all aspects of school. Flourishing former pupils society, sharing 'In Focus' with school. Most famous old boy was FE Smith, Lord Birkenhead.

Entrance

Increasingly, from own prep; existence of local grammars draws state primary pupils away at 11+. May have been a brief wobble over numbers before the co-education decision, but situation now seems to have steadied, as many parents opt for independent education from the start. Prep pupils not tested at 11+ unless applying for a scholarship – assessed internally, and those not likely to make grade flagged up in good time for parents to find alternative schooling. External candidates tested in English, maths and VR. A few leave at 16+, more than made up for by external entrants. School operates GCSE hurdle for A levels.

Exit

Vast majority to good universities, to read hard subjects; a handful to Oxbridge each year, most to Russell Group, especially Durham. Law, medicine/dentistry, engineering popular.

Money Matters

Was hit by end of assisted places scheme, but now stable. About six academic scholarships a year, a few at sixth form level, some limited-term for music; usually ten per cent of fee. Birkenhead Foundation Trust bursaries support about eight pupils a year; full remission possible.