West Kirby Grammar School
 | |
| Motto |
Ad metam contendo 'Strive towards the goal' |
|---|---|
| Established | 1913 |
| Type |
Grammar school; Academy |
| Headteacher | Mrs Alison Duffy |
| Chair of Governors | Mrs S McClennon |
| Location |
Graham Road West Kirby Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Merseyside CH48 5DP England Coordinates: 53°22′41″N 3°11′06″W / 53.378°N 3.185°W |
| DfE URN | 137243 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 1182 |
| Gender | Female (11-16); Mixed Sixth Form(16-18) |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Hudson, Stewart, Gonner, Furniss, Wallis, Paton |
| Website |
www |
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).
The school is one of The Sunday Times top one hundred state schools.
History
In 1912 it was open for girls and boys but in 1913 was made a girls grammar school. Founded in 1913 the school celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2008, with a whole school photograph. The school celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013, a weekend of events including another whole school photograph and a concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The 'Centenary Room', funded by the Old Girls' Association, was also opened next to the main hall of the school. It was recently given a grant to renovate facilities on site, this was used to build to new teaching blocks, with work due to be completed in 2009. The technology block was completed in September 2007, and the English/Humanities block in October 2008.
The school has several international links, successfully running a variety of trips to Fougeres, France; the Christmas Markets in Cologne and Aachen, Germany; Barcelona, Spain; an exchange programme with a school in Gladenbach, Germany; Yaroslavl, Russia. Additionally the school often raises funds for its "Make a Difference" campaign, raising money for Inner Mongolian schools, before having a trip for selected students in the summer holidays to Hong Kong, mainland China and to Inner Mongolia to see how the money is being put to use. Furthermore, in 2006 the school won the Wirral International School Award.
The school has 6 houses; Hudson (White), Stewart (Yellow), Gonner (Blue), Furniss (Purple), Wallis (Red) and Paton (Green). These all compete throughout the year at various house events ranging from music and a general knowledge quiz to team and individual sports.
Two pupils from the school have taken part in the international schools Arctic expedition and the international young scientists space camp; both these pupils who attended sixth form at the school were representing the UK. The school's Under 13 football team has also achieved national success after competing in the final of the tournament at Wembley stadium.
Curriculum
Pupils at the school study a standard UK curriculum with GCSE and A-Level examinations taken at ages 16 and 18.
Sports studied as standard in Physical Education lessons include Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Gymnastics and Athletics.
Links with other schools
There is a large Combined Cadet Force contingent shared with Calday Grange Grammar School, which students from Year 9 upwards can join. There is a German exchange programme and there are also links with schools in Germany, Finland, Hungary and Poland through the European Union's Comenius programme.
Notable former pupils
- Glenda Jackson, actress and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate
- Jan Ravens, from Dead Ringers
- Shirley Hughes children's author
- Amy Wyatt, Local author, moved to Hilbre High School
- Rosemary Haygarth, née Davis, the first female chemist employed at the UKAEA's research plant at Dounreay in Caithness & was a classmate of Glenda Jackson.
- Sheila McClennon, Radio 4 presenter on Woman's Hour and You and Yours