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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
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls term dates
The 2023–2024 term dates at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls are:
Autumn term: 4th September – 22nd December 2023
Half term: 30th October – 3rd November 2023
Spring term: 8th January – 22nd March 2024
Half term: 12th–16th February 2024
Summer term: 8th April – 22nd July 2024
Half term: 27th–31st May 2024
(Term dates may be subject to change.)
How to apply to King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
Handsworth School for Girls shares a testing process with the seven other grammar schools in Birmingham, as well as the grammar schools in Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton. You only need to register once to apply to any grammar schools across these areas.
1. Register for the 11 plus
Before registering, speak to your child’s teacher to see if the 11 plus and grammar school is right for them.
When your child is in Year 5, register them for the 11 plus on the West Midlands Grammar Schools portal. Registration opens at 9am on 9th May 2023 and closes at 4pm on 30th June 2023.
2. Apply for school places
Once your child has taken the exam, you will get their results on 20th October 2023. If your child achieves the qualifying score, you can include grammar schools on your local authority application form.
Before listing Handsworth School for Girls as a preference on your form, check its admissions policy and make sure your child is eligible. As well as your child's exam score, how close you live to a school is an important factor in whether your child is likely to be offered a place.
The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023.
What's on the King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls 11 plus exam?
The 11 plus exam for Handsworth School for Girls takes place on 16th September 2023.
The West Midlands 11 plus test is provided by GL Assessment. It consists of two papers, each lasting about 60 minutes. A few minutes are allocated at the start of each paper for children to listen to instructions and complete some unmarked practice questions.
Both papers are divided into smaller, individually-timed sections that assess:
English comprehension
Maths
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning
The test is entirely multiple-choice format, with no writing sections. Children record their answers in a separate answer booklet which is marked electronically.
The maths and English questions assess your child's understanding of Key Stage 2 national curriculum content, including Year 6 objectives. It tests their ability to reason and apply knowledge accurately.
The reasoning questions assess your child’s logic and problem-solving ability. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not typically taught at school. They are intended to measure how well children can spot patterns with, connect and manipulate written and visual information.
Learn more detail about each paper, and get free preparation resources, in our full 11 plus guide:
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:
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, 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.
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.
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)
How to help your child prepare for the 11 plus
Here are our top tips on how to best prepare your child for the Birmingham 11 plus.
Cover all the content
The 11 plus assesses a large breadth and depth of learning objectives across the Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond.
We recommend that your child starts revising content at least one year before the test. Setting aside study periods using a 'little and often' approach will give them time to build the skills and knowledge they need. When preparing, avoid falling into the trap of over-focusing on either the topics your child enjoys or the topics they find hardest.
Atom Nucleus is an 11 plus online course that tailors your child's personalised learning journey to cover all elements of the Birmingham 11 plus at the right pace for them.
No surprises
Your child will encounter lots of unfamiliar types of questions in the 11 plus exam. Building exam technique with 11 plus test papers will help your child to feel fully confident with the styles of questions they'll encounter in the exam, reducing the potential for stress on the day.
Celebrate their progress
Setting regular goals and celebrating achievements will help keep motivation high. Atom Nucleus offers data-driven insights into your child’s progress towards mastering the 11 plus curriculum, making it easy to see where they need to focus next.
Personalised 11 plus prep for your child
Wondering how to make sure your child covers the depth and breadth of the entire 11 plus curriculum, stays on track with their progress, and gets help when they're stuck? Online learning is a particularly efficient, cost-effective (and fun) way to do this!
Atom Nucleus is the award-winning online 11 plus practice platform that gives your child everything they need to prepare for grammar school exams.
Children work independently through over 90,000 interactive practice questions in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Teacher-created helpsheets and videos help them discover new concepts and consolidate their learning.
Atom's algorithm keeps children on their ideal learning path, tailored to their unique learning style and pace to keep them challenged and motivated.
Birmingham 11 plus practice papers
Atom Nucleus gives children access to online practice papers. Our online tests are designed to mirror the format and style of the real Handsworth School for Girls exam, so your child will go into the exam knowing exactly what to expect.
And what's more, everything is automatically marked for you.
Try Atom Nucleus free for 5 days
Begin your child's journey to King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls today. Use the full features of Atom Nucleus free for 5 days – cancel anytime.
Personalised support for you
We understand how important this next step is for them, and for you. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have about the 11 plus or grammar schools in Birmingham and Warwickshire.
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