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Birkenhead School 伯肯黑德中學, 伯肯黑德學校

58 Beresford Road,
Oxton, Prenton, Wirral CH43 2JD
Tel: 0151 652 4014 Fax: 0151 651 3091
Website: www.birkenheadschool.co.uk
• BOYS, MIXED SIXTH, 3–18, Day
• Pupils 737, Upper sixth 79
• Termly fees £1696–£2339
• HMC
• Enquiries/application to the Headmaster
 
What it’s like
Founded in 1860 and soon established as the leading boys’ school in the locality. Girls were admitted to the sixth form for the first time in 2000. It has pleasant late-Victorian and modern buildings on an estate of some 50 acres on an open site in the village of Oxton, a suburb of Birkenhead. All the main buildings are on the same campus. The principal playing fields are central and others are two minutes’ walk away. There have been many additions and improvements to facilities in the last 20 years. The school is organised in 3 departments: the prep for pupils aged 3–11; the junior school, ages 11–13; and the senior school ages 13–18. A good general education is given and examination results are very good. The school has a strong Christian tradition and prayers are held each morning in the chapel. The chapel choir is well known to be outstanding and performs at the level of a cathedral choir. The music, drama and art departments are very active. A good range of sports and games in which high standards are attained. There is also a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including a CCF contingent. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is well supported and pupils have had many successes.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 737 day pupils. Secondary department 11–18, 482 pupils (472 boys, 10 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in AS-level subjects). Academic excellence and breadth of interests looked for; no religious requirements. 35% of main secondary intake from state schools (plus 5% to sixth form). Large proportion from own prep department (enquiries tel 0151 652 4114).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Annual scholarships and bursaries available at age 11. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents 15+% doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% in industry and commerce; 15+% university staff.

Head & staff
Headmaster: John Clark, in post from 2003. Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, and Oxford University (modern languages). Previously taught at St Paul's and at Whitgift School.
Teaching staff: 66 full time, 4 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 42.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 74 pupils in fifth form; 91% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 56 (57 over 5 years).
A-levels: 84 in upper sixth; 21% passed in 4+ subjects, 74% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 370.

University & college entrance 98% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (16% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 10% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 34% in science & engineering, 49% in humanities & social sciences, 7% in vocational subjects eg psychology, computing and management. A few typically go straight into employment.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects offered.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS, 3 at A-level; in addition, many take AS-level general studies. 30% take science A-levels; 33% arts/humanities; 37% both. Key skills not formally assessed.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Some help for dyslexic pupils.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. 150 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: About 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 5 musical groups including choral society, 2 orchestras, bands, brass ensemble; chapel choir regularly sings in English cathedrals and on foreign tours.
Drama: Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 10 A-level.

Sport & activities
Sport: Options include rugby, cricket, hockey, athletics, tennis, swimming, cross-country, climbing. Some county representatives.
Activities: CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, community service and Young Enterprise. Up to 20 clubs including science projects, debating, drama club, astronomy.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout; prefects wear gowns.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school, head of house and house prefects – appointed by the Headmaster in consultation with staff, fellow pupils and outgoing prefects.
Religion: Daily service in the school chapel.
Social: Joint debates, concerts, plays with Birkenhead High. French, Spanish and German exchange schemes, numerous other individual visits, ski trips, sports tours. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once would be given extra work and expected to produce the original work; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect automatic expulsion.

Alumni association The Old Birkenian Society, run by Mark Feeny, Chairman, Abbotsford, Howbeck Road, Oxton CH43 1OD.

Former pupils Rt Hon Sir Donald Nicholls, Alan Rouse, Earl of Birkenhead, Canon Graham Routledge, Sir Gordon Willmer, Professor Neville Willmer, Lord Evans of Claughton, Rt Hon H Graham White, Andreas Whittam Smith