11+ Birmingham
BOFA11plus.com has independently compiled this page for you, using information gathered from the Local Authority and respective schools. We try to keep it as accurate as possible and welcome any feedback if you spot any errors.
We hope you find this service useful.
Birmingham LA
Mr Tony Howell
Strategic Director of Learning and Culture, Birmingham City Council, Council House Extension, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BU
Telephone: 0121 303 2590
Fax: 0121 303 1318
Email: tony_howell@birmingham.gov.uk
Website: www.birmingham.gov.uk
Birmingham Grammar schools
Secondary Transfer Online Application
To use this online service you must:
- live in Birmingham and
- have parental responsibility for the child.
Before using the online service you are encouraged to make full use of the extensive help and information available to you. In particular, we recommend that you read the information in the Secondary Admissions pages in this web, together with the following booklet:
Secondary Education Opportunities for your Child in Birmingham
which gives detailed information about secondary education in Birmingham, the schools your child may be able to attend and how to express your school preference.
When completing the online form, select Secondary FAQs at any time to view our Frequently Asked Questions and their answers.
The more information you have about the schools you are considering the better. The Online Schools Directory gives information about all Birmingham schools including contact details, maps and links to each school's web site, where there is one.
For schools outside Birmingham view the Neighbouring Local Authorities (LAs) page for a range of useful contact information.
Admissions Queries
If you have other questions about the secondary transfer process, or want some help please telephone 0121 675 0555 or send an email to admissions@birmingham.gov.uk
Year 7 Entry
In 2010 we will admit 124 boys to Year 7 (Dates of birth 1.9.98 -31.8.99). The Governors offer places at the school on the basis of performance in selective tests administered each year in October by the Birmingham Education Authority. Parents of the boys attending maintained primary schools within the Authority will receive application forms for the test through their schools in July. Parents of boys attending schools other than these should apply to:
Admissions and Appeals
Education Department
Margaret Street
Birmingham
B3 3BU
Tel: 0121 675 0555
Fax: 0121 464 4593
E-mail: admissions@birmingham.gov.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Allocation of Places
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School no longer has a residence requirement, and entry to the school is solely as a result of marks gained in the tests whether or not candidates live in Birmingham. There is no waiting list, but places may be offered if a place becomes available.
Entrance Examination
The entrance examination consists of three separate papers. These have been designed to identify the most able candidates and are likely to be very difficult for children of average or below average ability. The three papers are:
Verbal Reasoning: This paper will test pupils' ability to reason and will be of 30 minutes duration, with a practice test of 10 minutes.
Non-Verbal Reasoning: This paper tests the ability of pupils to reason with shapes and symbols, and will be of 35 minutes duration, including some time for practice.
Mathematics: This paper emphasises problem solving skills applying mathematical knowledge appropriate for key stage 2 of the National Curriculum and will be of 50 minutes duration. There is no practice paper.
Each of the questions will have an equal weight and will be standardised to account for age differences in candidates.
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
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The tests are considered to be valid, reliable and fair. It is recognised that parents may wish to help their children. However, it is believed that excessive practice and coaching should be discouraged because it is counter productive. The tests are in the Standard, and not the Multi Choice format.
Our open sessions for those hoping to be admitted in 2010 will be held on Thursday 17th September 2009 5.00pm - 9.00pm and Friday 18th September 2009 10.00am - 11.00am.
If you have any additional queries, please contact the school. Specific queries about the entrance tests however should be directed to the Education Department at the address given above.
All applicants for a place in Year 7 at Handsworth Grammar School will need to complete a 'Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth' test registration form, available from the school or by post from the Admissions Officer, Schools of King Edward the Sixth Foundation Office, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UD. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.kingedwardthesixth.org
All applicants, whether they live in Birmingham or not, will also need to complete their home Local Education Authority (LEA) preference form. Up to six schools can be named on this form in a ranked order of preference. It is important not just to write King Edward VI Schools as each of the King Edward VI Schools counts as a separate choice (Aston, Camp Hill, Handsworth or Five Ways). If a school is not listed on the LEA form you cannot be offered a place.
Only the LEA will know the rankings. Schools in Birmingham will not know whether applicants have ranked them first or last when making their offers.
In considering applications, all schools will apply their own admissions criteria. The Grammar Schools of King Edward VI only consider entrance test scores and rank children according to their test scores. Other schools may rank children on distance from the school to their applicant's home.
All rankings will be submitted to the LEA. If a child meets the criteria for two or more schools, the LEA will offer a place at the school ranked highest on the LEA form. Parents will only receive one offer.
If a grammar school is the most desired option, it should be named as the most preferred school/s on the LEA preference form. If a grammar school is put first on the LEA form, but a child is not successful in the entrance test, it will not put at risk the chance of being offered a place at any other school listed providing that the LEA has an equal preference system.
THE TEST
The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 7 November 2009.
Your child will sit two tests each of 45 minutes.
The papers will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non verbal reasoning
- Mathematics and
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
Children will write their answers in the test booklets and most of the test questions will be multiple choice. The marks will be standardised to take account of differences in age and then added together.
Sample questions will be sent to you on receipt of your completed registration form.
Practice papers
A range of publications designed to assist preparation for school admission tests are available from leading bookshops. Suitable practice papers are multiple choice style tests that cover the above topics.
Neither the Foundation Office nor any of the schools keep past papers and these are not available from other sources.
Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child. The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI In Birmingham is in no way connected to, nor does it endorse or recommend, the services of any organisation or agency purporting to offer tuition and/or revision courses for children to assist in preparing them for school entrance tests.
Sample Blank Questions (pdf).
Sample Completed Questions (pdf).
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
All applicants for a place in Year 7 at King Edward VI Aston School will need to complete a 'Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth' test registration form, available from the school or by post from the Admissions Officer, Schools of King Edward the Sixth Foundation Office, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UD. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.kingedwardthesixth.org
All applicants, whether they live in Birmingham or not, will also need to complete their home Local Education Authority (LEA) preference form. Up to six schools can be named on this form in a ranked order of preference. It is important not just to write King Edward VI Schools as each of the King Edward VI Schools counts as a separate choice (Aston, Camp Hill, Handsworth or Five Ways). If a school is not listed on the LEA form you cannot be offered a place.
Only the LEA will know the rankings. Schools in Birmingham will not know whether applicants have ranked them first or last when making their offers.
In considering applications, all schools will apply their own admissions criteria. The Grammar Schools of King Edward VI only consider entrance test scores and rank children according to their test scores. Other schools may rank children on distance from the school to their applicant's home.
All rankings will be submitted to the LEA. If a child meets the criteria for two or more schools, the LEA will offer a place at the school ranked highest on the LEA form. Parents will only receive one offer.
If a grammar school is the most desired option, it should be named as the most preferred school/s on the LEA preference form. If a grammar school is put first on the LEA form, but a child is not successful in the entrance test, it will not put at risk the chance of being offered a place at any other school listed providing that the LEA has an equal preference system.
THE TEST
The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 7 November 2009.
Your child will sit two tests each of 45 minutes.
The papers will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non verbal reasoning
- Mathematics and
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
Children will write their answers in the test booklets and most of the test questions will be multiple choice. The marks will be standardised to take account of differences in age and then added together.
Sample questions will be sent to you on receipt of your completed registration form.
Practice papers
A range of publications designed to assist preparation for school admission tests are available from leading bookshops. Suitable practice papers are multiple choice style tests that cover the above topics.
Neither the Foundation Office nor any of the schools keep past papers and these are not available from other sources.
Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child. The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI In Birmingham is in no way connected to, nor does it endorse or recommend, the services of any organisation or agency purporting to offer tuition and/or revision courses for children to assist in preparing them for school entrance tests.
Sample Blank Questions (pdf).
Sample Completed Questions (pdf).
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
Each year we hold open days in July and September for girls wishing to enter the school in the following September. Our next Open Day is as follows:
All applicants for a place in Year 7 at King Edward VI Camp Hill Girls' School will need to complete a 'Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth' test registration form, available from the school or by post from the Admissions Officer, Schools of King Edward the Sixth Foundation Office, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UD. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.kingedwardthesixth.org
All applicants, whether they live in Birmingham or not, will also need to complete their home Local Education Authority (LEA) preference form. Up to six schools can be named on this form in a ranked order of preference. It is important not just to write King Edward VI Schools as each of the King Edward VI Schools counts as a separate choice (Aston, Camp Hill, Handsworth or Five Ways). If a school is not listed on the LEA form you cannot be offered a place.
Only the LEA will know the rankings. Schools in Birmingham will not know whether applicants have ranked them first or last when making their offers.
In considering applications, all schools will apply their own admissions criteria. The Grammar Schools of King Edward VI only consider entrance test scores and rank children according to their test scores. Other schools may rank children on distance from the school to their applicant's home.
All rankings will be submitted to the LEA. If a child meets the criteria for two or more schools, the LEA will offer a place at the school ranked highest on the LEA form. Parents will only receive one offer.
If a grammar school is the most desired option, it should be named as the most preferred school/s on the LEA preference form. If a grammar school is put first on the LEA form, but a child is not successful in the entrance test, it will not put at risk the chance of being offered a place at any other school listed providing that the LEA has an equal preference system.
THE TEST
The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 7 November 2009.
Your child will sit two tests each of 45 minutes.
The papers will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non verbal reasoning
- Mathematics and
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
Children will write their answers in the test booklets and most of the test questions will be multiple choice. The marks will be standardised to take account of differences in age and then added together.
Sample questions will be sent to you on receipt of your completed registration form.
Practice papers
A range of publications designed to assist preparation for school admission tests are available from leading bookshops. Suitable practice papers are multiple choice style tests that cover the above topics.
Neither the Foundation Office nor any of the schools keep past papers and these are not available from other sources.
Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child. The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI In Birmingham is in no way connected to, nor does it endorse or recommend, the services of any organisation or agency purporting to offer tuition and/or revision courses for children to assist in preparing them for school entrance tests.
Sample Blank Questions (pdf).
Sample Completed Questions (pdf).
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
Open Days 2009
|
Date
|
Day
|
Timings
|
|
25th September
|
Friday
|
6:00pm - 8:30pm
|
|
26th September
|
Saturday
|
10:00am - 12:30pm
|
The Headmaster will speak at 6.45pm and 8.00pm on Friday and at 10.45am and 11.45am on Saturday
All applicants for a place in Year 7 at King Edward VI Camp Hill School (Boys) will need to complete a 'Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth' test registration form, available from the school or by post from the Admissions Officer, Schools of King Edward the Sixth Foundation Office, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UD. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.kingedwardthesixth.org
All applicants, whether they live in Birmingham or not, will also need to complete their home Local Education Authority (LEA) preference form. Up to six schools can be named on this form in a ranked order of preference. It is important not just to write King Edward VI Schools as each of the King Edward VI Schools counts as a separate choice (Aston, Camp Hill, Handsworth or Five Ways). If a school is not listed on the LEA form you cannot be offered a place.
Only the LEA will know the rankings. Schools in Birmingham will not know whether applicants have ranked them first or last when making their offers.
In considering applications, all schools will apply their own admissions criteria. The Grammar Schools of King Edward VI only consider entrance test scores and rank children according to their test scores. Other schools may rank children on distance from the school to their applicant's home.
All rankings will be submitted to the LEA. If a child meets the criteria for two or more schools, the LEA will offer a place at the school ranked highest on the LEA form. Parents will only receive one offer.
If a grammar school is the most desired option, it should be named as the most preferred school/s on the LEA preference form. If a grammar school is put first on the LEA form, but a child is not successful in the entrance test, it will not put at risk the chance of being offered a place at any other school listed providing that the LEA has an equal preference system.
THE TEST
The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 7 November 2009.
Your child will sit two tests each of 45 minutes.
The papers will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non verbal reasoning
- Mathematics and
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
Children will write their answers in the test booklets and most of the test questions will be multiple choice. The marks will be standardised to take account of differences in age and then added together.
Sample questions will be sent to you on receipt of your completed registration form.
Practice papers
A range of publications designed to assist preparation for school admission tests are available from leading bookshops. Suitable practice papers are multiple choice style tests that cover the above topics.
Neither the Foundation Office nor any of the schools keep past papers and these are not available from other sources.
Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child. The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI In Birmingham is in no way connected to, nor does it endorse or recommend, the services of any organisation or agency purporting to offer tuition and/or revision courses for children to assist in preparing them for school entrance tests.
Sample Blank Questions (pdf).
Sample Completed Questions (pdf).
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
All applicants for a place in Year 7 at King Edward VI Five Ways School will need to complete a 'Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth' test registration form, available from the school or by post from the Admissions Officer, Schools of King Edward the Sixth Foundation Office, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UD. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.kingedwardthesixth.org
All applicants, whether they live in Birmingham or not, will also need to complete their home Local Education Authority (LEA) preference form. Up to six schools can be named on this form in a ranked order of preference. It is important not just to write King Edward VI Schools as each of the King Edward VI Schools counts as a separate choice (Aston, Camp Hill, Handsworth or Five Ways). If a school is not listed on the LEA form you cannot be offered a place.
Only the LEA will know the rankings. Schools in Birmingham will not know whether applicants have ranked them first or last when making their offers.
In considering applications, all schools will apply their own admissions criteria. The Grammar Schools of King Edward VI only consider entrance test scores and rank children according to their test scores. Other schools may rank children on distance from the school to their applicant's home.
All rankings will be submitted to the LEA. If a child meets the criteria for two or more schools, the LEA will offer a place at the school ranked highest on the LEA form. Parents will only receive one offer.
If a grammar school is the most desired option, it should be named as the most preferred school/s on the LEA preference form. If a grammar school is put first on the LEA form, but a child is not successful in the entrance test, it will not put at risk the chance of being offered a place at any other school listed providing that the LEA has an equal preference system.
THE TEST
The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 7 November 2009.
Your child will sit two tests each of 45 minutes.
The papers will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non verbal reasoning
- Mathematics and
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
Children will write their answers in the test booklets and most of the test questions will be multiple choice. The marks will be standardised to take account of differences in age and then added together.
Sample questions will be sent to you on receipt of your completed registration form.
Practice papers
A range of publications designed to assist preparation for school admission tests are available from leading bookshops. Suitable practice papers are multiple choice style tests that cover the above topics.
Neither the Foundation Office nor any of the schools keep past papers and these are not available from other sources.
Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child. The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI In Birmingham is in no way connected to, nor does it endorse or recommend, the services of any organisation or agency purporting to offer tuition and/or revision courses for children to assist in preparing them for school entrance tests.
Sample Blank Questions (pdf).
Sample Completed Questions (pdf).
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
All applicants for a place in Year 7 at Handsworth Grammar School will need to complete a 'Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth' test registration form, available from the school or by post from the Admissions Officer, Schools of King Edward the Sixth Foundation Office, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UD. Alternatively, you can apply on-line at www.kingedwardthesixth.org
All applicants, whether they live in Birmingham or not, will also need to complete their home Local Education Authority (LEA) preference form. Up to six schools can be named on this form in a ranked order of preference. It is important not just to write King Edward VI Schools as each of the King Edward VI Schools counts as a separate choice (Aston, Camp Hill, Handsworth or Five Ways). If a school is not listed on the LEA form you cannot be offered a place.
Only the LEA will know the rankings. Schools in Birmingham will not know whether applicants have ranked them first or last when making their offers.
In considering applications, all schools will apply their own admissions criteria. The Grammar Schools of King Edward VI only consider entrance test scores and rank children according to their test scores. Other schools may rank children on distance from the school to their applicant's home.
All rankings will be submitted to the LEA. If a child meets the criteria for two or more schools, the LEA will offer a place at the school ranked highest on the LEA form. Parents will only receive one offer.
If a grammar school is the most desired option, it should be named as the most preferred school/s on the LEA preference form. If a grammar school is put first on the LEA form, but a child is not successful in the entrance test, it will not put at risk the chance of being offered a place at any other school listed providing that the LEA has an equal preference system.
THE TEST
The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 7 November 2009.
Your child will sit two tests each of 45 minutes.
The papers will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non verbal reasoning
- Mathematics and
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
Children will write their answers in the test booklets and most of the test questions will be multiple choice. The marks will be standardised to take account of differences in age and then added together.
Sample questions will be sent to you on receipt of your completed registration form.
Practice papers
A range of publications designed to assist preparation for school admission tests are available from leading bookshops. Suitable practice papers are multiple choice style tests that cover the above topics.
Neither the Foundation Office nor any of the schools keep past papers and these are not available from other sources.
Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child. The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI In Birmingham is in no way connected to, nor does it endorse or recommend, the services of any organisation or agency purporting to offer tuition and/or revision courses for children to assist in preparing them for school entrance tests.
Sample Blank Questions (pdf).
Sample Completed Questions (pdf).
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
My Daughter Is Currently In Year 6 - How Do I Go About Securing A Place For Her At Sutton Coldfield Grammar School For Girls?
Firstly you should apply to the LEA for your daughter to sit the annual selection test for the school. You need to fill in two application forms - one for this school and one for the LEA preferences.
Where Do I Get Application Forms From?
If your daughter attends a Birmingham LEA Primary School , her school should receive a supply of application forms. If she does not, or you live in one of the surrounding districts, you should request an application form from the LEA Admissions and Appeals Department, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BU on 0121 675 0555. Forms are not normally available until the second half of the Summer Term and must be returned at the start of the Autumn Term.
Remember, you need to fill in two forms:
The application form for the annual selection test - relevant only to Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls and Bishop Vesey's Grammar School for Boys.
Fill in the LEA form, registering 6 choices, in order of preference.
Both forms should be returned to the LEA by Friday 26th September 2008 by 1615hrs. You should not send forms to the school.
What Is Being Tested For The Selection Process? What Do The Tests Involve?
There are three tests; Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics. Please note that past papers are not available. Coaching for the test is believed to be counter-productive, as over-achievement in the tests may be against the long term interests of children whose ability may be more limited than their test score would suggest.
How Long Does The Selection Process Take?
Selection testing takes place in October each year. The LEA administers the test using several venues across the city - Sutton Girls is usually one of those centres. After testing, the LEA makes arrangements for marking and standardisation. The results are usually published in February. Offers are made by letter, based on the best overall test scores of girls with qualifying scores. A waiting list then operates until all 150 places are filled.
Does my home address affect my chance of a place?
No. Entry criteria is based only upon academic ability.
My Daughter Is Already At A Secondary School, But We Are Moving Into The Birmingham Area Shortly - How Do I Go About Applying For A Transfer To Sutton Coldfield Grammar School For Girls?
If you were not living in the Birmingham area when your daughter was in Y6 then you are eligible to apply for transfer, but vacancies are rare. If there is a vacancy then your daughter will be required to sit a selection test which consists of 3 x 1hr papers in English, French (or Spanish) and Mathematics.
Please note : Any pupil living in the Birmingham area at the time of the tests i.e when your daughter was in Year 6 of Primary School, who chose not to sit the test or who sat the test and was unsuccessful in securing a place, is not eligible to request transfer into Years 7-11.
Does The School Have An Open Evening?
Yes the Open Evening this year is scheduled for Wednesday 23rd September 2009 6.30-9.00pm. We also plan a daytime open session on Thursday 24th September at 11.00am. An information booklet for parents called 'Entry to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School or Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls' is provided with application forms and gives further details.
Entrance Examination
The entrance examination consists of three separate papers. These have been designed to identify the most able candidates and are likely to be very difficult for children of average or below average ability. The three papers are:
Verbal Reasoning: This paper will test pupils' ability to reason and will be of 30 minutes duration, with a practice test of 10 minutes.
Non-Verbal Reasoning: This paper tests the ability of pupils to reason with shapes and symbols, and will be of 35 minutes duration, including some time for practice.
Mathematics: This paper emphasises problem solving skills applying mathematical knowledge appropriate for key stage 2 of the National Curriculum and will be of 50 minutes duration. There is no practice paper.
Each of the questions will have an equal weight and will be standardised to account for age differences in candidates.
You can use BOFA 11+ to help prepare for the exam:
FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo FREE 11+ Demo
The tests are considered to be valid, reliable and fair. It is recognised that parents may wish to help their children. However, it is believed that excessive practice and coaching should be discouraged because it is counter productive. The tests are in the Standard, and not the Multi Choice format..
Our open sessions for entry for 2009 will be arranged in due course but should take place during September 2008. (Dates to be confirmed)
