Choosing A Secondary
School
Understanding the Wirral School
Admissions System
When Does the Admission
Round Begin?
Secondary admission round runs
from September to October half
term
Application packs distributed by schools in early
September contain information about:
 Admission arrangements
 Admission criteria
 Schools
 School Open Days
 Parental Preference Form
Where Do I Start?
Read the admissions booklet carefully. It explains Wirral’s
admissions policy as well as admission and
oversubscription criteria for all schools.
Look at the list of open days and evenings for schools you
are considering and decide which ones you wish to visit.
Attend your child’s Headteacher’s transition talk.
Obtain information about schools.
You can get this from :
 School prospectus (from school or school website)
 Ofsted reports www.ofsted.gov.uk
 Performance data www.education.gov.uk/performancetables
 Choice Adviser 0844 880 1500 or email:
www.choiceadviser@wired.me.uk
 Mainstream Admissions 0151 606 2000
 Parents of pupils at the school
Checklist For Visiting Schools
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What is the timetable for the school day?
How many children would be in your child’s class?
How does the school help children settle in and make friends?
What extra activities does the school offer at lunch-time/after school?
How well does the school communicate with parents?
What arrangements are there for parents to get involved with the school?
What will you have to provide for your child? (uniform/stationery/ money for
trips etc)
 Is the school easy for your child to get to?
 How well does the school track the progress of pupils and what type of support
do they provide for pupils to help them to meet their targets?
 School’s academic results?
After the visit
Discuss your thoughts and feelings about the school with someone else (include
your child in the discussion)
 Did you feel welcomed at the school?
 Did the students seem happy, friendly and helpful?
 Do you think your child would be happy at that school?
 Did the school answer all your questions or do you have other questions you
would like to ask?
What Choices Do I Have?
 You can name up to 3 schools
 Include any out-of-area schools you wish to
apply for on your home Preference Form
 You should only include a grammar school if
your child has passed the entrance exam
 The Local Authority will try to match you to
your preferred schools in the order you listed
them
 How successful you are in being given your
preferred school depends on how well you
meet the school’s criteria and availability of
places
 If you are not offered any of your preferred
schools you will be offered the nearest
suitable school which has places available.
Are All Wirral Schools the Same?
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There are currently thirteen Academies. Most are not selective (excepting
the Grammar Academies), children are assessed to determine their ability
band. 10% of places can be allocated to pupils who demonstrate an aptitude
in the school’s specialism e.g music
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Faith Schools prioritise children of the Catholic faith or certain parishes, and
children who attend Catholic Primaries, but anyone can apply for a place.
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All-ability schools cater for the needs of most children.
They are either mixed or single sex
Grammar Schools are selective and entry depends on the achieving the
required pass mark and availability of places. Grammar schools on Wirral
are all single sex
Foundation & Trust Schools set their own criteria and are run by the school
governors. They are usually backed by a business or faith organisation.
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Children who attend Special Schools have a statement of
Special Educational Needs.
What Do Schools Offer?
All mainstream schools offer the full National Curriculum
(English, Maths, Science and P.E)
Schools with Specialist Status have additional resources
for their specialist subject.
The admissions booklet and school prospectus will tell you
if a school has specialist status.
Specialist expertise of staff, equipment or facilities?
Extracurricular activities/clubs etc
Grammar School Assessments
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If unsure about your child’s level ask school for advice
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Complete and return form asking for your child to be included in grammar
school assessment test (check date this has to be returned by- should be last
week of May)
 Familiarisation packs go to schools (or home if outside Wirral)
during June
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Tests take place in early September in child’s primary school or at one of the
Grammar schools or Test Centres
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Tests consist of 2 verbal reasoning papers
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St Anselm’s and Upton Hall set their own tests
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Pass mark is 236
Results standardised according to child’s age
Inform Head Teacher in writing, of anything which may adversely affect your
child’s performance on the day and provide evidence
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At Head’s discretion, cases where result does not match known ability may be
referred confidentially to Independent Assessment Board
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Results are sent to parents in the second week of October
You can only apply for a Grammar school if your child achieves 236+
What Do I Do Next?
 When you have decided on your
preferences complete and return the
application form before the closing date31st October 2012
 Forms can be returned to school,
posted to Mainstream Admissions
or completed online
www.wirral-mbc.gov.uk/admissions
What If My Preferred School
Is Oversubscribed?
 All schools are required to publish
their admissions policy which sets out
their priorities
 Schools who are their own admissions
authority set their own criteria
 Schools do not know which order you
placed your preferences
 If more pupils apply than there are
places available they must be
allocated in accordance with the
published criteria.
When Will I Know The
Outcome?
 Allocation letters sent out 1st March
2013 (or available on-line if
application made on-line)
 You can also ask if places are
available in another school which
you would prefer in place of the
allocated school
 If your child is not offered a place in
your preferred school you can
appeal against this decision
 Mainstream Admissions will give you
all the information you need to do
this and you can contact the School
Choice Adviser for help.
Checklist for Applying for a Secondary School Place for Your Child to
Start in September 2013
1.
May 2012
applications for
grammar school
test to be returned
by end of month.
September
2012
Information
booklets sent out
to parents.
11+ testing takes
place
2.
3.
Choose your
preferences
Closing dates
Gather information about
schools and attend their
Open Evenings.
You must return your
completed form by
31st October 2012
You can also contact
Late forms not dealt
with till end of
allocations.
choice adviser
Tel: 0844 880 1500
Email:choiceadviser
@wired.me.uk
Any supplementary
forms should also be
returned by the closing
date.
4.
March
2013
The offer
letters will be
sent out on
1st March
2013.
Role of The Choice Adviser
 Funded by DfE
 Provides free, impartial advice to anyone who would like help when
choosing, applying or appealing for a school for their child
 Ensures parents have access to all the available, up-to-date information
about local schools (Ofsted reports, prospectuses, performance results,
uniform, location & transport etc)
 Help parents to complete application/appeal forms
 The Choice Adviser is available to give advice by telephone, email, or 1:1
meetings
Please call Angela Knox Carter; 0844 880 1500 or email:
www.choiceadviser@wired.me.uk
Preparing your child for Secondary School
Many children feel anxious about the move to secondary school but there
are lots of ways that parents can help to make the transition easier.
 Reassure them that most children will be feeling the same concerns as them
 Help them to establish routines by working out when they will have to get up in
the morning to get to school on time
 Help to plan their journey with them and find out if there is a friend that they can
walk/travel in with
 Get things ready the night before (uniforms, bag packed etc)
 Be prepared! Put a copy of their timetable on the fridge and check it with them
to make sure they have everything they need for the day (P.E kit, books etc)
 Make sure your child knows who to contact (both in school and at home)
if there is a problem
 Agree on when and where homework is to be done each day
 Ensure your child understands how important regular attendance is
 Encourage them to talk to you if they are worried about anything.
Advice for Parents of Children with
Additional Needs without a Statement
• Speak to Senco or SEN support team at open
evening or make an appointment to discuss
any particular concerns you have
• Ask about what provision is available to meet
your child’s needs
• What experience do they have of meeting
similar needs?
• Where does1-1 or small group work take
place?
• Ask about transition support at primary and
secondary school.
Secondary Transition for Children
with Statements
• Follow the advice previously given about visiting
schools and speaking to SENcos
• Discuss your thoughts with your child’s teacher at
their year 5 review
• Attend the transition talk by the Statementing officers
at your child’s special school or Parent Partnership
• Complete the Common Application Form within the
given timeframe if applying for mainstream school
• Proposed statement will be sent out in January 2013
• Final statement will be issued February.