West Kirby Grammar School
About West Kirby Grammar School
West Kirby Grammar School is a girls' state secondary in Wirral that is comfortably oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local standing. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 353 applications for 171 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.06. Of those, 144 offers went to first-preference applicants, meaning competition for a spot is real but not prohibitive. The school currently has 1,186 pupils against a capacity of 1,283, so there is some headroom, but demand clearly outstrips supply. Just 7.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the national average of around 23%, reflecting the relatively affluent catchment. The school is non-denominational and has no religious character, which broadens its appeal. Headteacher Simeon Clarke leads a school that last had a full Ofsted inspection in November 2022, where it was rated Good across all categories, including behaviour, personal development, and sixth-form provision. That inspection marked a change from its previous Outstanding rating in 2009, but the school remains one of the strongest in the local authority.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Nov 2022Source: Ofsted, 15 Dec 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About West Kirby Grammar School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications