Entrance Exam Preparation
11+ Tuition That Builds Confidence Not Just Grades
Having over 21 years of experience in education, we are very proud of the fact that our tuition not only improves our students’ academic performance, but also builds their confidence and self-esteem.
Our students look forward to our lessons and enjoy the learning process. We try to keep sessions as relaxed and as fun as possible, and encourage participation within the group so that students have the best possible experience whilst preparing for the exam.
Tuition in small groups is usually more economical than employing an individual tutor. If your child learns best in the company of others, or enjoys having a little healthy competition around them, a small group works extremely well.
We work on a one tutor to four pupil ratio which allows us to keep our sessions as accessible as possible in terms of cost.
What Is the Quest 11+ Assessment?
The Quest 11+ Assessment is the entrance examination used by Wirral Local Authority as part of the admissions process for grammar school places. The assessment is designed to identify pupils who demonstrate the academic ability and potential to thrive within a selective grammar school environment.
The assessment typically evaluates a range of skills, including mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Questions are designed to assess a child’s understanding, logical thinking, accuracy and ability to apply knowledge under timed conditions.
The Quest Assessment is new for this academic year and has replaced the previous assessment provider used within the Wirral grammar school admissions process. The test is usually sat by pupils in Year 6 during the autumn term and forms part of the grammar school selection process across Wirral grammar schools. Results from the assessment are used alongside the Local Authority admissions criteria to determine eligibility for grammar school placement.
The format of the Quest 11+ Assessment includes multiple-choice questions and timed sections, requiring pupils to work carefully, accurately and efficiently. Preparation often focuses on developing core mathematical understanding, reasoning skills and exam confidence.
Schools We Prepare For
Wirral’s grammar schools each set their own entrance requirements — here’s what to expect from each, plus a direct link to the official admissions guidance.
Upton Hall School
The entrance exam is a unique exam to Upton Hall. Girls wishing to attend tutoring for this exam will be familiarised with the many different verbal reasoning question types as well focusing on reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar. The closest matching commercial workbooks and tests are from GL assessment, CGP and Susan Daughtrey.
If you wish for your child to enter for both the Upton Hall exam and GL 11 plus exam, they will be required to study two different exam contents.
The pass mark is a standardised score of 236 from 2 multiple choice papers, 50 mins each (with a break in between). A standardised score uses your child’s age in years and months to convert from a raw score.
Paper 1 – VR paper
Paper 2 – English paper
St. Anselm’s College
The exam consists of 3 written papers Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English and a mental maths paper
English is 45 minutes long, it consists of a comprehension with questions that are not multiple choice and an essay on a given topic (about 20 mins on each section)
Maths is 45 minutes long, standard format, a lot of worded questions. The pass marks for Maths (written paper and mental maths test) and English (comprehension and essay) are 55%. The pass mark for the Verbal Reasoning paper is 85%. Historically, your child was required to pass 2 out of the 3 papers (with a minimum 3rd score). This could be subject to change.
Calday Grange Grammar School
Calday Grange Grammar School is a non-denominational selective state-funded grammar school founded in 1636, situated on Caldy Hill in the town of West Kirby on the Wirral peninsula. They currently offer a free, grammar school education to nearly 1400 students, with approximately 200 boys in each of Years 7 to 11 and a mixed Sixth Form of nearly 500 students. Access to the school in Year 7 is through an 11 plus examination coordinated by the local authority.
Useful Links
West Kirby Grammar School
West Kirby Grammar School (abbreviated to WKGS) is a non-denominational selective state-funded grammar school for girls with academy status in West Kirby on the Wirral Peninsula, England. The school currently has 1182 students, of whom most are girls (boys being admitted in the sixth form only). Girls are welcome to apply to WKGS from the Wirral, Chester, North Wales, Liverpool and Warrington. All Year 7 students need to pass the 11+, which is administered by the Local Authority.
Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Wirral Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1931 as a maintained selective grammar school for boys aged 11–18. It is situated on a 9.1 acres site to the west of Port Sunlight at Cross Lane, Bebington. The school plans to admit 155 boys. Only boys who attain the required standard in the arrangements for selection by reference to ability and aptitude will be eligible to be considered for admission to the school. Admission to the school is determined by the Governors. The school’s assessment arrangements will be conducted by Wirral Local Authority.
Useful Links
Wirral Grammar School for Girls
Wirral Grammar School for Girls has been a Grammar School educating girls aged 11-19 since 1931 and now have just over 1,000 pupils, 300 of them in the sixth form. In August 2011 they became an Academy. Their most recent OFSTED report judged them to be an outstanding school in all areas. The school plans to admit 180 girls unless the net capacity figure indicates otherwise. Only girls who attain the required standard in the arrangements for selection by reference to ability and aptitude will be eligible to be considered for admission to the school. Admission to the school is determined by the Governors. The school’s assessment arrangements will be conducted by Wirral Local Authority.