King Edward VI Handsworth School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for King Edward VI Handsworth School.
How to get into King Edward VI Handsworth School
King Edward VI Handsworth School is a selective secondary school in Birmingham. To get into King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Girls born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible to apply for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls is a selective grammar school for girls aged 11-18 years. Admission to the school is based on selection by reference to ability. Only girls who attain the required standard in the prescribed arrangements for selection are eligible to be considered for admission [1].
The admissions process requires that prospective pupils are considered for admission based on a combined score, standardised according to the age of the pupil, on standardised tests of verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning ability [1]. King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls is a member of the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership. All 19 schools share the same entrance test.
The school's catchment area includes specific electoral wards in Birmingham, Sandwell, and Solihull [1]. To check which ward an address falls into, families should visit their local authority website [1].
Application Process
The registration portal for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and closes on Friday 27th June 2025 (see key dates). The deadline for registering for the test is 27th June 2025 at 4pm (see key dates) [1].
To apply to King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, families need to name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form. This will be available on their home council website from early September and must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
- Register for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ test through the official website
- Complete the Local Authority preference form by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Receive test results in mid-October 2025 before completing school applications
- Wait for school offers on National School Offer Day in March 2026 (see key dates)
- For specific contact information, see the school information section
11+ Examination Details
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. The exam consists of two one-hour papers. Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 will take the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test on a date between Saturday 13th September 2025 and Monday 15th September 2025 for Year 7 entry in September 2026.
The King Edward VI Handsworth School 11 Plus exam consists of two test papers, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics. All questions will be multiple choice and scores are age-standardised to ensure that no students have an advantage based on their age.
As a guide, the minimum qualifying score for entry to King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls in 2024 was 232. Children will be allocated a session either in the morning or afternoon. Families should receive confirmation of their child's allocated slot by early September.
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation early to give their daughters the best chance of success. Competition for its 160 places at this stage is fierce so it's important to set a revision timetable with daughters that covers all the required subjects. A timetable can also help ensure that daughters cover everything they'll need to know for the exam, without being overworked.
To be in with a good chance of gaining a Year 7 place at King Edward VI Handsworth School, practice exam papers are suggested as a proven method of helping revision at 11 Plus level. Pupils who are able to score 80-85%+ consistently in 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the King Edward VI Handsworth School 11 Plus exam.
- Start preparation at least 12 months before the exam date
- Focus on English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal reasoning
- Use practice papers regularly to build familiarity with the exam format
- Consider professional support through 11+ tutoring if additional help is needed
- Ensure daughters are familiar with multiple-choice answer sheets
- Practice time management skills for each test section
- Review Key Stage 2 curriculum topics thoroughly
Admissions Criteria and Oversubscription
If the number of children who have achieved the qualifying score exceeds the number of places available, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls applies oversubscription criteria. Children are prioritised for places in the following order: Looked-After or previously Looked-After Children who achieve the qualifying score, ranked by test score and then by distance from the school.
Children who get free school meals, achieve the qualifying score, and live in the catchment area are ranked by distance from the school. If fewer than 48 places are filled by children in category 2, places are offered to children who get free school meals, achieve the qualifying score and live outside the catchment area.
- First priority: Looked-After or previously Looked-After Children who achieve the qualifying score
- Second priority: Children eligible for free school meals who live in the catchment area
- Third priority: Children eligible for free school meals who live outside the catchment area
- Subsequent priority: All other children who achieve the qualifying score, ranked by distance
- Siblings are considered to be those children who live at the same address and either have one or both natural parents in common, are related by a parent's marriage or are adopted or fostered by a common parent [1]
Practical Advice for Families
Families who need reasonable adjustments must submit requests by Friday 13th June 2025 along with all relevant evidence (see key dates) [1]. Families should contact the Admissions office to request the relevant form [1].
Families should remember that passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that children will be allocated a place at their preferred school. Many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. Therefore, it is essential to include backup school options on the Local Authority preference form.
- Plan to keep the entire weekend of the test dates free from commitments
- Ensure daughters have plenty of sleep the night before the exam
- Arrive at the test venue early to allow time for registration
- Bring required identification documents and any permitted materials
- Consider backup grammar schools within the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ partnership
- Include non-selective schools on the Local Authority preference form as backup options
- For detailed guidance on exam day procedures, contact details are available in the school information section
Important Dates and Timeline
Test Registration opens on 6th May 2025 (see key dates) [1]. Test Registration deadline is Wednesday 27th June 2025 at 4pm. Registrations after this date will not be accepted and children will not be able to take the test (see key dates) [1].
Local Authority Preference form deadline is 31st October 2025 (see key dates) [1]. National School Offer Day is 2nd March 2026 when Local Authorities will notify families which School their child has been offered (see key dates) [1].
- May 2025: Test registration opens
- June 2025: Reasonable adjustments deadline and test registration deadline
- September 2025:West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ examination takes place
- October 2025: Test results released to families
- October 2025: Local Authority application deadline
- March 2026: National School Offer Day
- For complete timeline details, see key dates
[1]King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls official website
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information
In order to get into King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School for Girls to assess prospective students. This rigorous assessment consists of two one-hour papers, each divided into smaller sections that evaluate the candidate's abilities in various subjects.
The exam covers a range of topics, including English comprehension, which tests the student's understanding and interpretation of written passages, and Maths, which assesses their numerical and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the entrance test includes sections on Verbal reasoning, evaluating the candidate's ability to analyze and manipulate language, and Non-verbal reasoning, which examines their capacity to recognize patterns and solve problems using visual cues.
All questions in the West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test are presented in a multiple-choice format, and students are provided with separate answer sheets to mark their responses. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accurate and efficient grading.
Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+
As well as King Edward VI Handsworth 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
- 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 King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the King Edward VI Handsworth School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School
Here are all available past 11+ papers for King Edward VI Handsworth 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 King Edward VI Handsworth School currently uses.
The exam board (or test supplier) that King Edward VI Handsworth 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 extensive collection of 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.
| Exam Board | Subject | 11+ Past Paper |
|---|---|---|
| CEM* Now use GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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 Handsworth School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | King Edward VI Handsworth School, Rose Hill Road, Birmingham, West Midlands B21 9AR |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01215542342 |
| Email Address | office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 192 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1274 (1274 Girls / 0 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Miss Clare Berry |
King Edward VI Handsworth School is a girls 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 1,274 pupils attend King Edward VI Handsworth School and it's led by the Headteacher, Miss Clare Berry.
King Edward VI Handsworth School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
King Edward VI Handsworth School was last inspected by Ofsted on 04/02/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 28/02/2014, 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 | 04/02/2014 | 1 | 28/02/2014 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth 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) | 27 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Biology | 158 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 33 | 41 | 32 | 45 |
| Chemistry | 158 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 14 | 25 | 23 | 43 | 51 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 96 | - | - | - | 3 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 7 |
| Design & Technology | 38 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| English Language | 158 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 17 | 41 | 31 | 38 | 30 |
| English Literature | 158 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 32 | 37 | 41 | 39 |
| D&T Food Technology | 29 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| French | 81 | 2 | - | - | 2 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 24 | 10 | 8 |
| Geography | 77 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 26 |
| German | 74 | 3 | - | - | 6 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 6 |
| History | 81 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 |
| Mathematics | 158 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 25 | 46 | 54 | 30 |
| Music | 12 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 6 | - | 2 |
| Physics | 158 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 8 | 35 | 38 | 26 | 46 |
| Religious Studies | 80 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 30 | 22 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | - | - | - | 5 | 1 | 1 | - | |||
| Biology | 114 | - | 6 | 15 | 27 | 28 | 20 | 15 | |||
| Chemistry | 105 | - | 7 | 13 | 18 | 32 | 17 | 15 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 20 | - | 1 | - | 12 | 3 | 4 | - | |||
| Economics | 27 | - | - | - | 6 | 8 | 10 | 3 | |||
| English Literature | 32 | - | - | - | 7 | 12 | 6 | 7 | |||
| Geography | 30 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 9 | |||
| Government and Politics | 13 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | |||
| History | 29 | - | - | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 3 | |||
| Mathematics | 72 | - | 2 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 21 | 10 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 9 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Physics | 23 | - | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 6 | - | |||
| Psychology | 62 | - | 1 | 6 | 15 | 19 | 13 | 7 | |||
| Religious Studies | 14 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |||
FAQ
Is King Edward VI Handsworth School hard to get into?
Yes, King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School a private school?
No, King Edward VI Handsworth School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is King Edward VI Handsworth School free?
Yes, King Edward VI Handsworth School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to King Edward VI Handsworth School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into King Edward VI Handsworth School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact King Edward VI Handsworth 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 Handsworth School a girls-only school?
Yes, King Edward VI Handsworth School is a girls-only school.
