Teaching and Education in Wirral: Opportunities for Growth and Impact

The Wirral peninsula is home to a rich and varied education landscape, offering rewarding opportunities for professionals at every stage of their teaching journey. As one of the five metropolitan boroughs in Merseyside, Wirral serves a diverse population across urban, coastal, and rural communities, each with its own character, strengths, and needs.

Whether you're supporting children in their earliest years, guiding young people through secondary education, or helping learners find their path post-16, Wirral offers a supportive and forward-thinking environment where educators can truly make a difference.

Understanding Wirral’s Education Landscape

Wirral's education system follows the standard UK structure while reflecting the unique character and needs of the peninsula.

Early Years Education

Early years education in Wirral is shaped by a strong commitment to giving children the best possible start in life. Provision includes:

  • Maintained and private nurseries.

  • Preschool settings and children’s centres.

  • Nursery classes attached to primary schools.

All settings work within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, supporting holistic development and school readiness. Educators are encouraged to embed emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour strategies into everyday practice—skills that can be strengthened through courses such as our Positive Handling Training.

Primary Schools

Wirral has over 110 primary schools, including community schools, academies, and faith-based settings. Schools are spread across the peninsula—from the urban areas of Birkenhead and Wallasey to more suburban and coastal towns such as West Kirby and Heswall.

Teachers in Wirral’s primary schools are supported in developing inclusive classroom practice, often working with mixed-age groups and children from various backgrounds. The National Curriculum is followed, with assessment taking place throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.

Supporting pupils’ mental health and emotional development is increasingly central to primary teaching. Our Mental Health Training for Educators equips professionals with practical tools to build resilience and well-being in children.

Secondary Education

Secondary education in Wirral is shaped by a distinctive blend of comprehensive and grammar schools. With over 30 secondary schools, professionals can find environments suited to a variety of teaching styles and values, including:

  • Selective grammar schools

  • Co-educational and single-sex comprehensives

  • Church of England and Catholic schools

  • Academies and foundation schools

Educators in secondary settings play a key role in shaping young people’s personal growth and academic success. Many pursue leadership pathways within schools, where approaches such as Compassionate Leadership are helping to transform school cultures and support staff wellbeing.

Notable Secondary Schools

  • Birkenhead High School Academy

  • Calday Grange Grammar School

  • West Kirby Grammar School

  • Wirral Grammar School for Boys

  • Wirral Grammar School for Girls

  • St Anselm's College

  • Upton Hall School (FCJ)

  • Co-op Academy Bebington

  • Hilbre High School Humanities College

  • Prenton High School for Girls

  • St John Plessington Catholic College

  • Woodchurch High School

Post-16 and Further Education

Young people in Wirral benefit from a wide choice of post-16 options, including:

  • School sixth forms

  • Birkenhead Sixth Form College

  • Wirral Metropolitan College

  • Vocational and apprenticeship providers

These settings offer A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, and more, preparing students for higher education or employment. For educators working in post-16, guiding students through uncertainty and transition is key, often requiring both subject expertise and relational skills.

While Wirral itself doesn't host major universities, it has strong connections to:

  • University of Liverpool

  • Liverpool John Moores University

  • Liverpool Hope University

  • Chester University

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Wirral is deeply committed to inclusive education. Children and young people with SEND are supported through:

  • Specialist schools

  • Mainstream schools with SEND units

  • Alternative provision

  • Outreach and advisory services

Educators in SEND roles are part of a caring, multi-agency network, focused on removing barriers to learning and ensuring that every child is allowed to thrive.

Professional Development and Support

Teachers and education staff in Wirral have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities, including:

  • Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Teacher Support.

  • Phase and subject-specific CPD.

  • Leadership development programmes.

  • Ongoing training in behaviour, inclusion, and wellbeing.

We have designed our courses to meet the real-world needs of educators working in dynamic, demanding environments, building confidence and capacity across the workforce.

Quality of Life and Community

In addition to its professional advantages, Wirral offers an excellent quality of life:

  • A balance of coast, countryside, and community

  • Lower housing costs compared to many nearby areas

  • Excellent transport links to Liverpool, Chester, and North Wales

  • A vibrant local arts and culture scene

  • Strong school-community relationships

This makes Wirral not just a place to work, but a place where you can belong.

A Meaningful Career in Education Starts Here

Whether you're just beginning your career in education or looking for your next step, Wirral offers the space, support, and diversity to help you grow. With its varied school settings, strong focus on inclusion, and culture of collaboration, the borough provides a solid foundation for a rewarding and impactful future in teaching.