St Anselm’s College 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 140
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Good
St Anselm’s College
St Anselm’s College is a Catholic grammar school for boys, based in Birkenhead on the Wirral. Established in 1933 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, it has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, strong values and a focus on character development. The school’s mission is to nurture confident, compassionate and responsible young men who live out the principles of their faith.
Known for its high standards and supportive environment, St Anselm’s offers a broad curriculum alongside a wide range of extracurricular activities. Pupils can take part in music, sport, debating and academic clubs, building confidence and teamwork beyond the classroom.
The school manages its own admissions process and entrance exam, independent of the Wirral Grammar Schools Consortium.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for St Anselm’s College
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for St Anselm’s College
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at St Anselm’s College
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for St Anselm’s College
How to Apply
Information on the application process for St Anselm’s College
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for St Anselm’s College
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
St Anselm’s College’s Key Information
Key information such as the school address, contact information and parking can be found here.
School Address
Full Address:
St. Anselm’s College, Manor Hill, BirkenheadWirral
Merseyside
CH43 1UQ
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking within the school, and on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Mather Rd, Birkenhead, Prenton, CH43 4UE, 0.6 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Balls Rd E, Birkenhead, CH42 0HA, 1 mile from the school.
St Anselm’s College Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: St Anselm’s College continues to be a good school, maintaining high academic and pastoral standards since its last inspection.
Academic strength: Pupils are proud, respectful and well-behaved, benefiting from strong relationships with staff and a caring, inclusive environment.
Teaching and curriculum: The curriculum is broad and ambitious, helping pupils gain detailed knowledge across subjects, particularly in the sixth form.
Behaviour and culture: Personal development is a major strength, with exceptional enrichment, sports and leadership opportunities that build confidence and character.
Leadership and safeguarding: A few subjects at Key Stages 3 and 4 need more consistent teaching and assessment, but overall, pupils achieve well and feel safe and supported.
St Anselm’s College Exam Format
St Anselm’s College sets its own entry exam. St Anselm’s College does not use the Wirral Admission Test.
The St Anselm’s College Entry Exam: Overview
The St Anselm’s College entrance exam consists of three one-hour papers. These papers are produced by the school. The exam is not multiple choice and focuses on identifying boys with strong ability in literacy and numeracy.
Paper One
English: assesses reading comprehension and written expression.
Paper Two
Mathematics: based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum.
Paper Three
Verbal reasoning: the verbal reasoning paper will test your child’s ability to solve problems with written information.
11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no fixed pass mark. Scores are ranked, and offers are made according to performance and the school’s admissions criteria.
Catchment Area
The school does not have a formal catchment area, but distance may be considered when places are oversubscribed.
Additional Eligibility
To be eligible, boys must sit the entrance exam and achieve the required academic standard. If there are more qualifying candidates than available places, the following order of priority is applied:
-
Baptised Catholic boys who meet the academic standard.
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Other Christian applicants who perform strongly in the test.
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Other applicants, ranked by test performance.
Priority is usually given to boys from Catholic primary schools, though pupils of all faiths or none are welcome to apply.
Click here to view the full St Anselm’s College admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at St Anselm’s College
Since the exam is set by the school, the best preparation focuses on written English and Key Stage 2-level maths. Here are some ways to support your child:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by St Anselm’s College. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
St Anselm’s College’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here can be found the dates regarding the entrance exams for St Anselm’s College.
Exam Registration Closes
Entrance Test Date
Entry Exam Results Date
Common Application form (CAF) Deadline
St Anselm’s College Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at St Anselm’s College, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the St Anselm’s College Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Submit the registration form directly to St Anselm’s College. This form registers your child for the entrance test and must usually be submitted by the end of August 2025.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with St Anselm’s College listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
St Anselm’s College FAQs
You must register your son for the entrance exam directly with St Anselm’s College and also complete your local authority’s Common Application Form (CAF), naming the school as a preference.
The entrance exam includes two written papers in English and Mathematics. Both are set and marked by the school and are not multiple choice.
Competition for places is strong. Admission is based on entrance exam performance, with priority given to Catholic applicants and then to other candidates according to test scores.
There is no formal catchment area, but proximity to the school may be considered if places are oversubscribed and candidates achieve similar scores.