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Applying
is straightforward
Applying Is Straightforward
We’re delighted that you are considering applying to join us. Applying to a school within Wakefield Grammar School Foundation is designed to be straightforward and to put your child at ease with a warm welcome and friendly reception from the minute they walk through the door.
Our friendly admissions team is on hand to help with any questions you may have. You can contact them by telephone on 01924 373943 or by email: admissions@wgsf.net.
1. Visit Us
We welcome you to join us in school and see for yourself the type of education that we can offer your child. Although no two days are the same here, our Open Doors events are a great opportunity to see our school in action on a ‘typical’ day. Please book through our online Enquiries & Admissions Zone. If you would prefer to book an individual visit, our friendly Admissions team is here to help and can be contacted either by email: admissions@wgsf.net or telephone 01924 373943.
2. Submit an application form
Parents are required to complete our online application form and pay a non refundable deposit of £50 (excluding VAT).
3. Bursary Applications – Year 7 and Year 12 Applicants only
A limited amount of means-tested bursary funding is available for allocation to pupils joining the schools in year 7 who demonstrate high academic attainment in the entrance assessment and a strong performance at interview. Any family wishing to apply for a bursary must register an application no later than MONDAY 2nd DECEMBER. Please indicate on your application form that financial assistance is required and a member of our bursary team will contact you to progress your application. Here is more information about fee assistance.
Consideration for means-tested bursary funding is unlikely to be possible for any late applicants.
4. Assessment Day & Offers
Once your application has been received, we will contact you to discuss next steps and to invite your child to join us in school for an age appropriate assessment and taster session. Please find below more detailed information about how this works for each entry point:
Entry Into Years 3 - 6
The main assessment week for entry to our Junior Sections is held at the end of January each year. Children will be invited in for a Taster Day which includes age-appropriate assessments in Maths and English, an informal interview with a member of our Junior section staff and the opportunity to join our current pupils for a taste of life and learning in our school. Our Taster Day is designed to be as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.
We are also able to offer individual taster and assessment days for entry into year 3 to 6 subject to places being available
Offers
Following the Taster Day, we will notify you of the outcome in writing.
Children who join us in the Junior section automatically transition to Year 7, without requirement to attend Year 7 Assessment Day unless they wish to apply for a scholarship or bursary.
Entry Into Year 7
Year 7 is our most popular entry point with the majority of our year 7 applicants attending our assessment day in January. Applications for our next assessment day are open now.
The Assessment Day for September 2025 entry is 14 January 2025.
During the assessment day, your child will complete assessments in English (writing), English (Reading), Mathematics and Non Verbal Reasoning. English and Maths papers have been specially developed by Wakefield Grammar School Foundation. The Non Verbal Reasoning paper is provided by GL Assessments. Sample papers will be provided to all registered applicants in mid November 2024 to support familiarisation with assessment format and example content.
We aim to make the day as relaxed, supportive and enjoyable as possible. Alongside the academic elements of the day, your child will enjoy a variety of fun activities and will join some of our current students for lunch. We know from experience that these experiences help to bring out the best in your child on the day.
Offers
An email will be sent to parents before February half term to confirm the outcome of both the entrance assessment and bursary application process
Welcome Week
During June, we hold our welcome week where new students are invited to join us in school for an exciting day of activities as early friendships are made. Parents are also invited to join us in school during this week to meet staff and find out all about becoming part of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation family.
Entry Into Years 8 - 10
Candidates will be invited in to sit assessments in Maths, English Comprehension, English Writing and Science, as well as an informal interview with a member of our academic team.
Following the entrance examination you will receive an email from the Head informing you of the outcome and next steps for successful applicants.
Entry Into Sixth Form
For entry into our Sixth Form, candidates will be expected to have a good GCSE profile, including passes at Grade 5 or above in all subjects taken. A Grade 7 or above is normally required in any subject the applicant is intending to study at A Level; if an applicant is not currently on course to achieve this standard, we will consider this on an individual basis.
Pupils who have not studied to GCSE level a subject they propose to study at A Level may be required to undertake test papers at the school to ascertain their suitability for A-Level study.
A confidential reference from the Head of a prospective pupil’s current school will be requested upon receipt of an Application Form for entry into Year 12.
Following receipt of your application, we will invite you to meet with our Director of Sixth Form to discuss your A Level choices and aspirations for the Sixth Form and beyond. Please bring your predicted GCSE grades. We will contact your current school for a reference. We will email conditional offers shortly thereafter.
We welcome you to join us at our Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 14th November 6pm – 8pm.
Applications for Year 12 entry in September 2025 are now open.
Sixth Form Taster Day
All applicants will be invited to join us in school on Wednesday 4th December for a Sixth Form Taster Day where you can try out lessons in the subjects you are thinking of studying at A Level as well as meet your new classmates, staff and experience our Sixth Form Centres at both WGHS and QEGS.
All applicants will be invited to join us in school during week commencing 9th December 2024 to meet with the Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Head of Sixth Form or Head of Year 12 for an interview. where you will be able to discuss our A Level choices and aspirations for the Sixth Form and beyond. Please bring your predicted GCSE grades. We will contact your current school for a reference. We will email conditional offers shortly thereafter.
Offers
Final offers will be made following confirmation of candidates’ final GCSE grades, which will be released on in August 2025.
We fully understand that not everyone may attain the grades they were expecting or hoping for. This is why we strongly encourage all prospective pupils to contact us on results day if they have narrowly missed our entry criteria so that we can discuss alternative options if required.
Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available for students joining the Sixth Form.
We strongly recommend early application.