INTRODUCTION:

King Edward VI Handsworth School was established in 1911 and has a rich legacy of nurturing holistic development and academic excellence. The school began with an enrolment of 450 girls and is conveniently located in Birmingham's downtown area, with easy access to public transport. The curriculum emphasizes academic rigor across various subjects, including computing, mathematics, chemistry, history and politics, and psychology. In addition to academics, the school offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities such as drama, cricket, capoeira, and Mandarin to complement the academic program. Students are encouraged to pursue independent study, volunteer work, and work experience, with parental permission, to enhance their overall growth and development. The goal of King Edward VI Handsworth School is to foster intellectual curiosity, empathy, and understanding in students, preparing them to become self-reliant and self-assured individuals who can tackle the challenges of the modern world.

King Edward VI Handsworth School is one of the best schools in the country, renowned for both its academic excellence and dedication to student development. Emphasizing students to reach their maximum potential, the school cultivates a passion for education and imbues its alumni with moral bravery and self-assurance. Ofsted has acknowledged the institution for its great performance, and it routinely receives excellent ratings. Universities and companies greatly value their alumni, attesting to the school's long history of turning out well-rounded people capable of succeeding in a variety of disciplines. King Edward VI Handsworth School is committed to helping students grow holistically and academically, preparing them for leadership roles in the future by instilling in them a solid foundation of resilience, empathy, and knowledge.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, like the other seven grammar schools in the vicinity, adheres to the Grammar Schools of Birmingham Consortium's entrance requirements. Only students who pass the 11+ entrance exam and meet the necessary standards will be considered for admission.

According to the Consortium, admissions decisions must be made based on a student's age-standardized cumulative score on the 11 Plus exam. Students cannot be admitted unless they receive the minimal "qualifying score." But, since there are only 160 Year 7 spots available at the school, achieving the qualifying mark does not ensure your daughter's spot.

Oversubscription Criteria:

  • Cared for children and those who have been cared for in the past who meet the requirements.

  • Children who meet the requirements and are enrolled in Pupil Premium (32 spots maximum).

  • Children who, using a standardized score ranking system, obtain the qualifying score.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Parents must register their daughters via the online application form provided by the Grammar Schools of Birmingham Consortium to apply for a spot at the school. To be considered for a grammar school spot in Birmingham, parents must additionally fill out a Local Authority Preference form for their daughter.

Official placements for the 11 Plus exam will be assigned in March of the following year after the results are announced in October.

CATHCHMENT AREA:

The following electoral wards' residential addresses comprise the priority catchment area for King Edward VI Handsworth School:

  • Birmingham: Alum Rock, Birchfield, Bromford & Hodge Hill, Castle Vale, Edgbaston, Erdington, Garretts Green, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross, Gravelly Hill, Handsworth, Handsworth Wood, Heartlands, Holyhead, Kingstanding, Ladywood, Lozells, Nechells, Newtown, North Edgbaston, Oscott, Perry Barr, Perry Common, Pype Hayes, Shard End, Sheldon, Soho & Jewellery Quarter, Stockland Green, Sutton Four Oaks, Sutton Mere Green, Sutton Reddicap, Sutton Roughley, Sutton Trinity, Sutton Vesey, Sutton Walmley & Minworth, Sutton Wylde Green, Ward End, Yardley East, Yardley West, & Stechford.

  • Sandwell: Victoria & Smethwick, Soho & St. Paul's, West Bromwich.

  • Solihull: Smith's Wood, Kingshurst & Fordbridge, Chelmsley Wood, and Castle Bromwich.

EXAM FORMAT:

There are two examination papers, each lasting roughly sixty minutes, in the King Edward VI Handsworth School 11 Plus exam. The papers are divided into discrete, timed segments that address:

  • English Comprehension

  • Verbal Reasoning

  • Mathematics

  • Non-verbal + Spatial Reasoning

Comprehension skills such as inference will be tested in the English Comprehension paper without any writing involved. 

The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates vocabulary, logical thinking, and the use of the English language. 

The Mathematics test assesses students' problem-solving ability and basic mathematical operations, covering topics such as numbers, measurements, geometry, algebra, and statistics. 

Additionally, nonverbal and spatial reasoning tests will be included in the exam to measure students' intellect and reasoning. 

Both papers will cover every topic, and age-standardized scores will be applied to all multiple-choice questions to ensure that no student benefits more than others based on their age.

PREPARATION AND TARGET TEST SCORES:

If your daughter's top option for a seventh-grade school is King Edward VI Handsworth School, you need to make sure she has everything she needs to do well on the 11 Plus exam. Since there is a lot of competition for the 160 spots available at this point, you and your daughter must create a revision schedule that includes all of the necessary material. A schedule can also guarantee that your kid doesn't overwork herself and learns all the material she needs for the test. Use sample exam papers to increase your chances of getting into King Edward VI Handsworth School's Year 7 program. They are an effective way to help with revision for 11 Plus exams.

The minimum admission score required by the school is 205. This is the minimal standardized score required to be considered for a position.

Summary:

Name: King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls

School Type: Girls’ Grammar

School Website: https://kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk/

County: West Midlands

Address: Rose Hill Road, B21 9AR

Email: office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk

Phone: 0121 554 2342

Number of Places Available: 160

11+ Exam Date: September

Exam Format: GL Assessment

 

This information was last updated in December 2024.