Birkenhead School

The school states that it supports students with special educational needs and disabilities through inclusive practice.

“Birkenhead School is committed to inclusive Practice and providing support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.”

As an independent provider, the school is outside the local authority's local offer and cannot directly access its specialist support services, although parents can access them independently.

“Birkenhead School, as an independent provider, is not included within the Local Authority’s ‘local offer’, and therefore cannot directly access Local Authority specialist support services. However, parents may access these services independently where needed.”

Form tutors lead small mixed-year tutorial groups, provide daily support and help identify students who need additional support.

“Tutors lead small tutor groups in the Sixth Form, comprising students from Lower and Upper Sixth. Their role is to be a day-to-day point of contact for their tutees, supporting them and providing expert advice and guidance. It is through regular contact, and as a result of genuine interest, that a strong working relationship between tutor and tutee can develop and flourish. It also means that those requiring more support can be quickly identified.”

Graham Murdoch is Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead.

“Graham Murdoch Deputy Head (Pastoral) / Designated Safeguarding Lead”

The school says its A-level and GCSE results regularly place it among the leading schools in the North West.

“Our A Level & GCSE results regularly place Birkenhead School as one of the leading schools within the North West region.”

The school's A Level performance is described as consistently placing it among leading North West schools.

“Our A Level results consistently place Birkenhead School among the leading schools in the North West, reflecting our commitment to academic rigour and personalised support.”

The Sixth Form advertises smaller class sizes alongside outstanding teaching and personalised support.

“Building on the strong academic foundations developed throughout the school, our Sixth Form combines outstanding teaching, smaller class sizes and personalised support with a wealth of co-curricular opportunities that develop leadership, creativity and resilience.”

The school states that it has smaller class sizes to support individual needs and development.

“With smaller class sizes, each student is truly seen. Talents are nurtured, individual needs are met, and every child is encouraged to stretch and flourish.”

Sixth-form co-curricular provision includes music, drama, sport, clubs, societies, and trips in the UK and overseas.

“Students enjoy an exceptional co-curricular offering that includes Music, Drama, Sport, a wide variety of clubs and societies, and enriching trips both in the UK and overseas. Recent trips have seen students visit Canada, South Africa, Texas and Madrid.”

Sixth-form students can develop leadership through roles including Heads of School, Deputies, and Senior Prefects.

“Sixth Form students can take on a variety of roles — from Heads of School and Deputies to Senior Prefects — that build confidence, responsibility, and resilience.”

The house system promotes camaraderie, cross-school friendships and wider social networks.

“Within Sixth Form, the four Houses of Shrewsbury, Kingsmead, Bidston and Beresford offer students camaraderie as well as opportunities to make friendships across the School and build up a wider network outside of their year groups.”

The Sixth Form seeks to provide a caring environment in which students are valued as individuals.

“As a Sixth Form team, we aim to create a caring environment where students are valued for who they are and not simply for what they do.”

Louise Smeaton is Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form.

“Louise Smeaton Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form)”

A dedicated Sixth Form Options Evening provides detailed A Level subject information to support informed choices after mock examinations.

“Please note that A Level subject information will be explored in detail at our dedicated Sixth Form Options Evening in the Lent Term, enabling students to make informed subject choices following their mock examinations.”

The school holds a Sixth Form Open Evening for current and prospective students.

“Sixth Form Open Evening”

External applicants can attend personalised sixth-form taster days during term time.

“Our Taster Days are available for external students looking to join the Sixth Form and a great opportunity to experience a day at the School.”

Students progress to leading universities, prestigious higher-level apprenticeships and varied career opportunities.

“Each year, our students move on to some of the country’s leading universities, prestigious higher-level apprenticeships, and a variety of exciting career opportunities.”

The Birkenhead Futures programme supports preparation for university, careers, work experience, and life after school.

“Our bespoke Birkenhead Futures programme helps students prepare for life after school, focusing on university guidance, career planning, work experience, and the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Five-year GCSE averages are 17% grade 9, 36% grades 9-8, 55% grades 9-7, 75% grades 9-6 and 89% grades 9-5.

“GCSE 5 Year Average 17% 9 grades 36% 9-8 grades 55% 9-7 grades 75% 9-6 grades 89% 9-5 grades”

Five-year A-level averages are 25% A*, 52% A*/A, 76% A*-B and 93% A*-C.

“A Level 5 Year Average 25% A\* grades 52% A\*/A grades 76% A\*-B grades 93% A\*-C grades”