King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls 11 plus: 2024 entry guide

Are you considering ​​​​​​​King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls? We've collated all the information you need to know about 2024 entry to Year 7. Keep reading to learn about the Grammar Schools in Birmingham admissions process – and how to help your daughter excel in the 11 plus exam.

About King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls

King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls is a selective school founded in 1883. Although proud of its tradition and history, the school describes itself as forward-thinking and outward-facing, preparing students to meet the challenges of a fast-paced and ever-changing world.

With its Outstanding Ofsted rating, vibrant and diverse community and rich extracurricular opportunities, it was ranked as the Birmingham Mail's 2018 Best School in the West Midlands.

Handsworth School for Girls also boasts a large site with excellent facilities. An extensive programme of building work was carried out in recent years, including specialist classrooms, facilities for design, technology, science and sports, and a new library.

• Address: Rose Hill Road, Birmingham B21 9AR

• Local authority: Birmingham City Council

• School type: girls' grammar

• Headteacher: Amy Whittall

• Number of pupils: 1,086

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: online contact form

• Number of places in Year 7: 192

• 11 plus registration opens: 9th May 2023

• 11 plus registration closes: 30th June 2023

• Open day: 30th June 2023

• Exam date: 16th September 2023

• Exam type: Birmingham entrance test

• Common application form (CAF) deadline: 31st October 2023

• National school offer day: 1st March 2024

What is the pass mark for ​​​​​​​King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls?

• Priority score: Children who score 224 or above are prioritised for a place.

• Qualifying score: In 2022 and 2023, 205 was the minimum score at which a child could be considered for a place at a Birmingham grammar school.

• Cut-off score: In 2022, the cut-off score was 215. This was the lowest score achieved by a child who was offered a place, which came under admissions category 5 (see below).

Scores from recent years above can be used as a guide only. Achieving the qualifying score doesn't guarantee a place at the school, as it's likely to be oversubscribed with qualified candidates. We always recommend researching the admission policies for your target schools.

How is the Birmingham 11 plus scored?

After your child takes the exam, their scores are age-standardised and combined to give them a total score across all papers. These total scores are ranked in order, and oversubscription criteria are applied.

​​​​​​​King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls admissions criteria

The planned admission number (PAN) for the school is 192. When more children achieve the qualifying score than there are places available (highly likely), places are offered in this order:

1. Looked-After or previously Looked-After Children who achieve the qualifying score, ranked by test score and then by distance from the school.

2. Children who get free school meals, achieve the qualifying score, and live in the catchment area, ranked by distance from the school.

3. 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.

4. Children who achieve the priority score and live in the catchment area. Prioritised if they have a sibling at the school, then ranked by distance from the school.

5. Children who achieve the qualifying score, ranked by test score. Where scores are equal, priority is given to children with a sibling at the school, then ranked by distance from the school.

King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls catchment area

The catchment area consists of home addresses that are in these electoral wards:

• Birmingham: Alum Rock, Aston, 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: Smethwick, Soho & Victoria, St Paul’s, West Bromwich.

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

(View map)

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