Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 11+ Papers
Past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School as well as 11+ test details and school information.
Past 11+ Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Here are all available past 11+ papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Bishop Vesey's Grammar School currently uses.
The exam board (or test supplier) that Bishop Vesey's Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.
As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.
| Exam Board | Subject | 11+ Past Paper |
|---|---|---|
| CEM* Now use GL Assessment | Mixed |
Practice 11+ Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Ensure you double-check with Bishop Vesey's Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School by 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 | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School by 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 | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-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 | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
About Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Birmingham. For children to get into Bishop Vesey's Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) is a prestigious educational establishment located in Sutton Coldfield, England. Founded by John Harman, who served as the Bishop of Exeter and played a significant role as an advisor to King Henry VIII, the school has a rich history dating back several centuries. BVGS is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and its dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals.
The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses a wide range of subjects, including science, English, mathematics, humanities, and modern foreign languages. This diverse academic program is designed to stimulate and challenge students, providing them with a solid foundation for their future educational and professional pursuits. Alongside the core curriculum, BVGS encourages students to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports, which foster personal growth and development.
BVGS takes great pride in its athletic achievements, with students actively engaging in various sports throughout the academic year. The school places a strong emphasis on rugby, hockey, cross-country, rowing, and netball during the winter months, while cricket, athletics, rowing, and tennis take center stage during the summer term. Beyond the realm of academics and athletics, BVGS is committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, promotes equality, and actively opposes discrimination.
The school's dedication to academic excellence is evident in its impressive GCSE and A-level results. In recent years, a significant proportion of students have achieved top grades in their GCSE exams, while the vast majority of A-level students have secured grades between A* and B. This outstanding performance has enabled many BVGS students to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions, including Russell Group universities and even Oxbridge and Ivy League colleges.
As a testament to its commitment to providing a well-rounded education, BVGS offers students enrichment opportunities that foster leadership skills, self-reliance, and resilience. The school prides itself on being a welcoming and open-minded community that embraces diversity and equality, ensuring that every student feels supported and valued throughout their educational journey.
School Information
Below you will find further information about Bishop Vesey's Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 2NH |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://bvgs.co.uk/admission-policy/ |
| Telephone | 01212505400 |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | Unknown |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1347 (107 Girls / 1240 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mr Dominic Robson |
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is a boys 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 1,347 pupils attend Bishop Vesey's Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Dominic Robson.
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 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 Bishop Vesey's Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information
In order to get into Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, children need to pass the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+
As well as Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:
- King Edward VI Aston School
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
- King Edward VI Five Ways School
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- King Edward VI Handsworth School
- Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
- Haberdashers' Adams
- Newport Girls' High School Academy
- Queen Mary's Grammar School
- Queen Mary's High School
- Alcester Grammar School
- King Edward VI School
- Lawrence Sheriff School
- Rugby High School
- Stratford Girls' Grammar School
- Wolverhampton Girls' High School
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 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.
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!
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 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).
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 Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Key Dates for your Diary
Here are all the important dates for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ tests (to get into Bishop Vesey's Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 07/05/2024 | Registration Opens For The West Midland Grammar Schools' Entrance Test | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 14/06/2024 | Reasonable Adjustments Deadline | |
| 28/06/2024 | Test Registration Closes | |
| 14/09/2024 | West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test | |
| 18/10/2024 | Parents Receive Test Results | |
| 31/10/2024 | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 03/03/2025 | Secondary School National Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Bishop Vesey's Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
As the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.
Why use a private 11+ tutor?
Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.
11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.
11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.
Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!
Private 11+ Tutors for the Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ entrance exams. Please click here to be put in touch with an excellent 11+ private tutor from our friends at exams.courses.
Ofsted Information
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/10/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 24/10/2014, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.
Last Ofsted Report Data
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 08/10/2014 | 1 | 24/10/2014 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 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 | 22 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 8 |
| Biology | 155 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 27 | 35 | 40 | 43 |
| Chemistry | 155 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 10 | 21 | 31 | 47 | 44 |
| Chinese | 29 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 7 | 9 | 11 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 68 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 24 | 11 | 20 | 7 |
| Design & Technology | 35 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 8 | 16 | 6 |
| Economics | 88 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 12 | 26 | 15 | 19 | 12 |
| English Language | 159 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 12 | 42 | 46 | 38 | 20 |
| English Literature | 159 | - | - | 2 | - | - | 14 | 34 | 49 | 33 | 27 |
| French | 58 | 2 | - | - | 7 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Geography | 114 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 7 | 22 | 28 | 34 | 21 |
| History | 66 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 9 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 14 |
| Mathematics | 159 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 19 | 37 | 52 | 43 |
| Music | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Physics | 155 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 37 | 38 | 45 |
| Religious Studies | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 4 |
| Spanish | 71 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 7 | 18 | 23 | 13 | 6 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 30 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 7 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 9 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |||
| Biology | 105 | - | 2 | 5 | 19 | 23 | 30 | 26 | |||
| Chemistry | 96 | - | - | 8 | 12 | 23 | 34 | 18 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 18 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Economics | 34 | - | - | 1 | - | 7 | 18 | 8 | |||
| English Literature | 17 | - | - | - | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | |||
| Geography | 27 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |||
| History | 34 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 4 | |||
| Mathematics | 124 | - | 2 | 3 | 15 | 23 | 36 | 44 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 23 | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 13 | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |||
| Physics | 41 | - | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 12 | |||
| Psychology | 50 | - | - | 2 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 15 | |||
| Religious Studies | 28 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 2 | |||
| Spanish | 17 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | - | |||
FAQ
Is Bishop Vesey's Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 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 Bishop Vesey's Grammar School a private school?
No, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Bishop Vesey's Grammar School free?
Yes, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Bishop Vesey's Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 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 Bishop Vesey's Grammar School a boys-only school?
Yes, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is a boys-only school.
