studied as standard in Physical Education lessons include Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Gymnastics and Athletics. Students from West Kirby Grammar School had the chance to quiz a senior Government minister when they held their own question time session. 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 Jill Crawshaw, travel writer Sally Grindley, children's author; her 2004 book Spilled Water won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Tracy de Groose (née Darwen), chief executive from 2018-20 of Newsworks (the newspaper industry advertising body), from 2014-18 of Dentsu Aegis Network and its predecessor Carat UK from 2010–14, Brand Director from 1996-98 of Stella Artois (owned by Whitbread) (1979–86) Shirley Hughes, children's author Glenda Jackson, actress and former Labour MP from 1992-2015 for Hampstead and Highgate; she left school with no discernible qualifications to work in the local Boots, where the shop manager spotted her talent, and largely arranged a scholarship from Cheshire County Council for her to attend RADA Julia Kneale, former girlfriend of Andy McCluskey, who formed The Id Jan Ravens, from Dead Ringers, noted for her impersonations of Ruth Archer (ohh nohhh) from The Archers, and Kirsty Wark from Newsnight Ruth McCartney, step-sister of Paul McCartney (her 34-year-old mother married his 62-year-old father in November 1964, when she was four) Sheila McClennon, Radio 4 presenter on Woman's Hour and You and Yours Former teachers Sophia Churney, former Psychology teacher, was part of Ooberman; her brother was musician Russell Churney Leonard Milne, former head of Music; he trained at the Northern School of Music, was organist of All Saints Church, Speke, and (briefly) gave Paul McCartney weekly piano lessons in 1958 at his home at 237 Mather Avenue in Allerton External links West Kirby Grammar School website Girls' schools in Merseyside Grammar schools in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Educational institutions established in 1913 1913 establishments in England Academies in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral