Upton Hall School FCJ 11+ Guide

A detailed look at Upton Hall School FCJ including past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers.

About Upton Hall School FCJ

Upton Hall School FCJ is a selective secondary school in Wirral. For children to get into Upton Hall School FCJ they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Upton Hall School FCJ is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Wirral, Merseyside, Upton Hall School FCJ is a renowned girls-only Roman Catholic grammar school that has been nurturing young minds and shaping futures since its establishment. As an academy with International School status and a designated training school, Upton Hall is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience that extends beyond the classroom walls.

All images © Upton Hall School FCJ.
All images © Upton Hall School FCJ.

At Upton Hall, students are immersed in a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum that not only focuses on academic excellence but also encourages active participation in the wider community. The school takes pride in offering a diverse range of sporting activities and musical ensembles, allowing girls to explore and develop their talents while fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

The school's ethos is deeply rooted in the vision of its founder, Marie Madeleine, who passionately believed in providing equal educational opportunities for girls. This commitment to empowering young women continues to be at the core of Upton Hall's mission. With an 'outstanding' Ofsted rating across all areas, the school has been recognized for its exemplary learning environment, where students thrive under the guidance of dedicated and highly skilled educators.

Upton Hall School FCJ takes great pride in its international school status, which reflects the institution's dedication to fostering global awareness and cultural understanding. Through a carefully crafted curriculum and a range of enriching events, such as culture week and feast day, students are encouraged to appreciate the diverse world we live in and develop a keen sense of cultural sensitivity.

As a beacon of academic excellence and holistic development, Upton Hall School FCJ continues to inspire and empower young women, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become confident, compassionate, and successful individuals in an ever-changing world.

Upton Hall School FCJ is a girls-only grammar school.
Upton Hall School FCJ is a girls-only grammar school.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Upton Hall School FCJ together with their admissions contact details.

Address
Upton Hall School FCJ,
Upton,
Wirral,
Merseyside
CH49 6LJ
School Website
Telephone 01516777696
Email Address uhs@uptonhall.org
Gender Girls only
Total Year 7 Places 156
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) 1016 (1010 Girls / 6 Boys)
Headteacher Mrs Andrea Gaunt

Upton Hall School FCJ is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,016 pupils attend Upton Hall School FCJ and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Andrea Gaunt.

Upton Hall School FCJ Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Upton Hall School FCJ for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (149 pupils)
  • Mathematics (149 pupils)
  • English Literature (148 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (147 pupils)
  • Biology (103 pupils)
  • Chemistry (102 pupils)
  • Physics (102 pupils)
  • History (93 pupils)
  • Spanish (82 pupils)
  • Geography (72 pupils)
  • French (61 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (46 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (31 pupils)
  • Art & Design (30 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (23 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (20 pupils)
  • Music (11 pupils)
  • Chinese (9 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (8 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Psychology (36 pupils)
  • Mathematics (35 pupils)
  • Biology (28 pupils)
  • Chemistry (28 pupils)
  • English Literature (19 pupils)
  • Law (19 pupils)
  • History (16 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (14 pupils)
  • Spanish (13 pupils)
  • Sociology (12 pupils)
  • English Language (12 pupils)
  • Art and Design (11 pupils)
  • Geography (11 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (10 pupils)
  • Film Studies (9 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (7 pupils)
  • Drama and Theatre Studies (7 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (6 pupils)

Upton Hall School 11+ Information

In order to get into Upton Hall School FCJ, children need to pass the Upton Hall School 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Upton Hall School 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Upton Hall School 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

  • English
  • Verbal Reasoning

The Upton Hall School entrance exam is designed to assess the academic abilities of prospective students. The exam consists of two papers, both provided by GL Assessment, a well-known provider of 11 plus exams for many grammar schools in England. Each paper has a time limit of 50 minutes and features a multiple-choice format, with separate question booklets and answer sheets.

The English paper evaluates the child's understanding of the subject based on the national curriculum. It includes reading comprehension questions, which require the child to read a passage and demonstrate their understanding by answering related questions. Additionally, the paper assesses other essential English skills, such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

The Verbal Reasoning paper is designed to analyze the child's academic potential rather than their acquired knowledge, as it is not taught in the national curriculum. This paper focuses on the child's ability to reason with written information, including words, letters, numbers, and symbols. It tests their understanding of word production, usage, and relationships between words. The paper may also include logic-based questions, such as solving codes and determining the next item in a sequence.

Upton Hall School 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Upton Hall School FCJ is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Upton Hall School 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Upton Hall School 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Upton Hall School FCJ, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Upton Hall School 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Upton Hall School 11+ tests (to get into Upton Hall School FCJ) as well as other relevant dates.

Date Event Calendar Link
Early April Upton Hall School 11+ Registration Opens
20/06/2024 Upton Hall School Summer Open Evening
12/07/2024 Upton Hall School 11+ Registration Closes
Early August Letter Sent To Parents Of Applicants With Exam Arrangements
12/09/2024 Upton Hall School Autumn Open Evening
14/09/2024 Upton Hall School 11+ Entrance Exam
11/10/2024 Target Date For Parents To Receive Entrance Exam Results
31/10/2024 Secondary School Common Application Deadline
03/03/2025 National School Offers Day

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Upton Hall School FCJ as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Upton Hall School FCJ was last inspected by Ofsted on 28/06/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 21/09/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Upton Hall School FCJ obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.
Upton Hall School FCJ obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date Inspected Inspection Duration (Days) Reporting Date Rating Full Report
28/06/2022 1 21/09/2022 Outstanding Full Report

Ofsted Report Summary

Upton Hall School FCJ was inspected by Ofsted on 21/09/2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection, which took place on 28 June 2022, revealed that Upton Hall School FCJ excels in providing its students with an outstanding educational experience. The school's commitment to academic excellence, fostering positive behaviour, and nurturing personal growth was evident throughout the inspection.

The Outstanding rating across all categories is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the school's staff, students, and leadership team. Upton Hall School FCJ sets a high standard for educational institutions, ensuring that its students receive the best possible support and opportunities to succeed.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Upton Hall School FCJ per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Art & Design 30 - - 1 7 5 3 7 2 3 2
Biology 103 - - - - 2 19 28 20 21 13
Chemistry 102 - - - 1 3 26 21 27 12 12
Chinese 9 - - - - - 1 - 2 5 1
Computer Studies/Computing 8 - - - - - - 2 3 3 -
Design & Technology 23 - - - - 3 5 3 7 3 2
English Language 149 - - 1 1 4 18 53 29 28 15
English Literature 148 - 1 - - 6 18 44 29 32 18
French 61 - - 3 6 11 12 5 9 8 7
Geography 72 - - - 2 5 10 20 11 17 7
History 93 - - 1 5 6 15 16 24 16 10
Mathematics 149 - - - 1 7 29 19 48 33 12
Music 11 - - - - - 1 3 3 2 2
Physics 102 - - - 4 8 26 29 14 13 8
Religious Studies 147 - - 1 4 6 18 32 32 22 32
Spanish 82 - - 1 7 8 17 10 16 12 11
Drama & Theatre Studies 20 - - - - - 4 9 4 1 2
Physical Education/Sports Studies 31 - - - 1 1 4 10 3 9 3
Science: Double Award 46 - - - - - - - - - -

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U E D C B A A*
Art and Design 11 - - - 1 4 2 4
Biology 28 - 2 2 6 10 4 4
Business Studies:Single 14 - - - 4 8 2 -
Chemistry 28 - - 3 5 9 10 1
Drama and Theatre Studies 7 - - - 2 1 4 -
English Language 12 - - - 3 7 1 1
English Literature 19 - - 1 3 9 4 2
Film Studies 9 - - - 1 4 4 -
Geography 11 - - 1 2 3 5 -
History 16 - - 1 3 4 6 2
Law 19 - - 2 1 7 3 6
Mathematics 35 - - 3 8 9 5 9
Mathematics (Further) 10 - - - 2 2 5 1
Physical Education / Sports Studies 7 - - 2 - 4 1 -
Psychology 36 - 5 4 10 10 6 1
Religious Studies 6 - - - 1 3 1 1
Sociology 12 - 1 1 4 4 1 1
Spanish 13 - 3 - 5 2 3 -

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Upton Hall School FCJ has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Upton Hall School 11+ Ensure you double-check with Upton Hall School FCJ which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.

GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. They remain useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

CGP

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. They are up to date and extremely useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. Grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these tests remain useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

FAQ

Is Upton Hall School FCJ hard to get into?

Yes, Upton Hall School FCJ is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.

Is Upton Hall School FCJ a private school?

No, Upton Hall School FCJ is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Upton Hall School FCJ free?

Yes, Upton Hall School FCJ is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Upton Hall School FCJ won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Upton Hall School FCJ?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Upton Hall School FCJ for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.

Is Upton Hall School FCJ a girls-only school?

Yes, Upton Hall School FCJ is a girls-only school.

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