King Edward VI School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for King Edward VI School.
How to get into King Edward VI School
King Edward VI School is a selective secondary school in Warwickshire. To get into King Edward VI School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into King Edward VI School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). King Edward VI School is a selective boys-only grammar school that requires all students to pass the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ entrance examination [1].
The school has approximately 790-839 boys aged between 11 and 18 and only male students are eligible for places in Years 7-11. Female students have been allowed into the sixth form in recent years [1].
The school operates priority circles based on distance from the Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon, with an inner priority circle of 13 miles and an outer priority circle extending 16.885 miles to the county boundary. Families must provide evidence of residence within these priority areas by the required deadline [1].
The West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Test
King Edward VI School uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, which is shared by 18 grammar schools and one partially-selective school across Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Children only need to take this test once regardless of how many schools within the partnership they wish to apply for.
The test contains four sections: English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics, all in multiple-choice format. Each of the two test papers takes approximately 60 minutes to complete, and children take both tests on the same day with a short break between them.
The examination takes place in September when children are in Year 6, with the 2025 test scheduled for dates between Saturday 13th September and Monday 15th September 2025 (see key dates). Special arrangements are available for children of Jewish and Seven Heavens faiths who object to Saturday testing.
Application Process
Registration for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and closes on Friday 13th June 2025 (see key dates). Families must register through the West Midlands Grammar Schools website portal using their home postcode and child's gender.
After registration, children will be allocated a test venue and time slot at one of the participating schools in September. The test venue may not be the school families wish to apply for - it simply serves as an examination centre.
Test results will be sent to families by mid-October 2025 (see key dates). Families must then name King Edward VI School on their secondary school Common Application Form, available from early September on their home council website, and submit this by 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
Final school place allocations will be announced in March 2026 (see key dates). For specific contact information about applications, families should refer to the school information section.
Preparation Guidance
The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is designed to be challenging and select children working in the top ability range. Children who are within the top 25% of their year group are normally well-suited for grammar school education.
Building a good knowledge base before the 11+ is important using a 'little and often' approach, with child psychologists recommending regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11. Although the test relates closely to the curriculum taught in schools, the difficulty level may go beyond what children are expected to achieve by the end of Key Stage 2.
GL Assessment provides free familiarisation materials on their website, and Warwickshire Council also publishes an entrance test familiarisation guide. For additional practice resources, families can access practice 11+ papers. For professional support with preparation, families may consider 11+ tutoring.
Exam Day and Results
The test may be held over two sessions (morning and afternoon), and families should keep the whole day free. Children will be allocated to a specific session and receive confirmation in early September (see key dates).
Test results use age-weighted standardisation with a median score of 200. Children who can score 80%+ consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass the 11+, though this is only an indicator and not a guarantee.
Passing the 11+ test does not guarantee a place at King Edward VI School, as many grammar schools are oversubscribed with qualified children. Schools apply oversubscription criteria to prioritise places when this occurs.
School Performance and Support
King Edward VI School has a reputation as one of the best grammar schools in the country and was named Secondary School of the Decade by the Sunday Times in 2020. The school was rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted in December 2021 [1].
In 2024, 86% of students achieved grades 9-7 at GCSE, and 68% achieved A*/A at A Level. The school supports 61 students on its SEN register with needs ranging from dyslexia and dyspraxia to ADHD and hearing impairments [1].
Students with SEN are supported through individual education plans designed through discussion with parents and the SENCo before joining the school, with support tailored to individual needs. For more detailed information about special educational needs support, families should contact the school information section.
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information
In order to get into King Edward VI 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.
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Subjects & Structure
The West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English comprehension
- Maths
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is the examination used by King Edward VI School for their 11+ admissions process. This test is designed to assess a child's academic potential and suitability for a grammar school education.
The entrance test consists of two papers, each lasting one hour. These papers are further divided into smaller sections, with each section focusing on a specific subject area. The subjects assessed in the test include English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. All the questions in the test are presented in a multiple-choice format.
During the examination, children are provided with separate answer sheets on which they mark their responses to the questions. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accurate and efficient scoring. The results of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test play a crucial role in determining a child's eligibility for admission to King Edward VI School.
Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+
As well as King Edward VI School, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:
- Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
- 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
- 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 King Edward VI 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 King Edward VI School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the King Edward VI School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into King Edward VI School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 06/05/2025 | Registration Opens For The West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 13/06/2025 | Reasonable Adjustments Deadline | |
| 27/06/2025 | Test Registration Closes | |
| Mid October | Parents Receive Test Results | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | 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 King Edward VI School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for King Edward VI 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 King Edward VI School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the King Edward VI School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for King Edward VI School
Unfortunately, King Edward VI School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI 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 King Edward VI School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ to get into King Edward VI School.
| 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 King Edward VI School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into King Edward VI School.
| 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 King Edward VI School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into King Edward VI School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into King Edward VI School.
| 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. If King Edward VI School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about King Edward VI School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | King Edward VI School, Chapel Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6BE |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.kes.net/ |
| Telephone | 01789293351 |
| Email Address | Year7Admissions@kes.net |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 87 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 791 (121 Girls / 670 Boys) |
| Headmaster | Mr Bennet Carr |
King Edward VI 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 791 pupils attend King Edward VI School and it's led by the Headmaster, Mr Bennet Carr.
King Edward VI School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
King Edward VI School was last inspected by Ofsted on 30/11/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 23/01/2022, 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 | 30/11/2021 | 1 | 23/01/2022 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
King Edward VI School was inspected by Ofsted on 30 November 2021 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum.
The inspection also highlighted the school's outstanding behaviour and attitudes, with pupils displaying exemplary conduct and a strong commitment to their learning. The school's personal development provision was deemed outstanding, offering a wide range of opportunities for students to develop their skills, interests, and character.
The leadership and management of King Edward VI School were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to drive continuous improvement. The sixth form provision was also rated as outstanding, preparing students well for their future education and careers.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at King Edward VI School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for King Edward VI 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 (Fine Art) | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Biology | 87 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 15 | 27 | 41 |
| Chemistry | 87 | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | 7 | 9 | 28 | 41 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 30 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| Design & Technology | 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7 | 7 | 10 | 16 |
| English Language | 87 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 17 | 23 | 29 | 14 |
| English Literature | 87 | - | - | - | - | - | 8 | 8 | 25 | 28 | 18 |
| French | 17 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Geography | 68 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 11 | 28 | 25 |
| German | 22 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Classical Greek | 9 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| History | 39 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 10 | 11 | 14 |
| Latin | 40 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 11 |
| Mathematics | 87 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 12 | 31 | 38 |
| Music | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Physics | 87 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 40 |
| Spanish | 19 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Statistics | 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 12 | 10 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 50 | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 18 | |||
| Chemistry | 70 | - | - | 2 | 7 | 12 | 26 | 23 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 12 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | |||
| Economics | 45 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 10 | 19 | 12 | |||
| English Literature | 23 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 9 | 8 | |||
| French | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 1 | |||
| Geography | 29 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 12 | 10 | |||
| History | 30 | - | - | - | 3 | 9 | 10 | 8 | |||
| Latin | 11 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 4 | |||
| Logic / Philosophy | 12 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Mathematics | 98 | - | 3 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 41 | 33 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 27 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 14 | |||
| Music | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 2 | - | 2 | |||
| Physics | 42 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 4 | 18 | 16 | |||
| Psychology | 38 | - | - | 3 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 12 | |||
FAQ
Is King Edward VI School hard to get into?
Yes, King Edward VI 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 King Edward VI School a private school?
No, King Edward VI School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is King Edward VI School free?
Yes, King Edward VI School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to King Edward VI School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into King Edward VI School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact King Edward VI 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 King Edward VI School a boys-only school?
Yes, King Edward VI School is a boys-only school.
