Ages 
Birkenhead is riding high. A bustling, traditional and community-driven school with happy, diligent pupils and a growing focus on extracurricular. Super campus and excellent rapport with teachers too. First rate and first choice not only for local families but increasingly those from further afield. Best suited to motivated types, prepared to toe the line.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to access
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 504 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 130 ·
- Fees
- £15,936 - £18,330 pa
- Local authority
- Wirral Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Paul Vicars
Since 2016, Paul Vicars MA PGCE (40s). A schoolmaster (15-year stint at Shrewsbury School including deputy head) and an accountant (four years at Ernst & Young). Studied geography at St Andrews. Parents approve: ‘A nice guy.’ ‘Very supportive when
Entrance
School has grown by over 20 per cent in recent years, moving from three to four form entry at year 7. With over 90 per cent of pupils moving up from the prep (assessed internally at the end of year 5), that leaves around 30 places up for grabs for
- Open days
- January, March and April
Exit
Just over 40 per cent depart post-GCSEs, usually to local grammars or the very good local sixth form college. Vast majority of sixth formers to university (right across the country), 60 per cent to Russell Group. Most popular universities recently
Latest results
In 2024, 60 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 62 per cent A*/A at A level (83 per cent A*-B).
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Value added is the name of the game, so pupils almost always do better than expected. ‘Teachers go above and beyond,’ lauded one of our sixth form guides when asked about the best bits of the school, and pupils lower down the school agree. ‘Good
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Currently 70 on the SEN register, of whom 35 receive one-to-one support (including four EHCPs). Mainly dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD and autism. Asked if they’re doing anything innovative around SEN, head simply said, ‘No,’ though later
Arts & extracurricular
Creative talent is nurtured – hasn’t always been the case, according to longer-standing parents who say it used to be ‘all about the academics’. Music is particularly intrinsic to the school, with pupils of all abilities playing in the school’s wide
Sport
Literally centre stage, with the manicured field located smack bang in the middle of all the school buildings that surround it. Makes for a picturesque scene, especially on the day we visited when youngsters sported their cricket whites. ‘It’s lovely
Ethos & heritage
The only co-ed selective school for miles around, the school was founded in 1860 but on its present site in the leafy suburb of Oxton since 1871, the prep joining later in 1883. Further additions and developments over the next 100 years mean the
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Success here is not measured by academic achievement alone but also in other activities. The result for most is feeling busy and happy, ‘finding our thing,’ as one put it. All pupils meet with their form tutors twice a day – this is also the first
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile phone use in school follows the school's behaviour policy (available on school website). Year 7 and 8 must hand in phones to their form tutor at registration and collect them at the end of the day. Years 9-11 must keep phones switched off and out of sight. Sixth form students may use phones in designated areas with permission. Violations result in confiscation for 24 hours or over the weekend if on a Friday. Staff have legal authority to search and delete inappropriate content if it may cause harm, disrupt teaching, or break rules. Serious cases may involve the designated safeguarding lead, senior staff or the police.
Pupils & parents
Pupils are polite, articulate, chatty and confident, though some more quietly so than others – not in a bad way, rather endearing actually. Ethnic diversity reflects the area – mainly white, with a little diversity. More of a mixture
Money matters
Around 75 pupils currently on bursaries, with approximately 35 of them receiving at least 75 per cent of fees. Mindful of the local area, the Birkenhead School Foundation Trust is aiming for even greater accessibility. Academic and music scholarships
- Fee information
- £15,936 - £18,330 pa
The last word
Birkenhead is riding high. A bustling, traditional and community-driven school with happy, diligent pupils and a growing focus on extracurricular. Super campus and excellent rapport with teachers too. First rate and first choice not only for local
