Quick and detailed information for the 11+ exams in 2023- 2024 of King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys provided below for 11+ Parents reference.
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus Exam Information
- Address: King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, Grove Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands B21 9ET
- Handsworth Website: click here for more information
- Admissions Contact:
- Head Teacher: Dr Simon Bird,
- Telephone: 0121 554 2794,
- Email: [email protected]
- School Type: Boys
- Total Number of Students in School: 985
- Places for Year 7 Entry: 150
- Handsworth Grammar School Open Days:
- Parents need to check the latest updated information on the school website.
- Registration Open Date: 9th May 2023
- Closing Date for Registration: 14th June 2023 at 4 pm
- 11+ Exam Provider: GL Assessment
- Ofsted Report: Ofsted Report | King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School For Boys, London
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys 11+ Exam Dates
- All applications are completed online: 9th May 2023
- Reasonable Adjustments deadline (request for special arrangements): 14th June 2023
- Test registration closes on 14th June 2023 at 4 pm
- The test will be held on the morning of Saturday 16th September 2023.
- LA Preference Form deadline 31st October 2023
- School Offer 1st March 2024
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys 11+ Exam Styles
Your child will participate in two tests, each lasting approximately 50 minutes, with additional time allocated for instructions.
The test papers will be organized into smaller sections, each with its own allotted time, to assess the following areas:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Mathematics
- Reading comprehension/literacy skills
To answer the questions, children will shade the box corresponding to the answer they believe is correct on an answer sheet. These sheets will then be scanned by a computer. The marks obtained will be standardized to account for variations in age and subsequently totaled.
Access 11+ Past Papers with Detailed Mark Schemes and Answers.
Must Practice these time tested 11+ GL Assessment style practice Papers along with a Multiple choice Answer sheet.
Finding a Grammar School for your child in Birmingham
If you’re a parent to a child around 11 years old, you might already know it can be challenging to find the right high school in the UK education system. In Birmingham, most secondary schools are non-selective state schools (all of which are counted under the umbrella of the comprehensive system). However, when it comes to secondary schools, there are other options out there- including free schools and the independent school system.
These schools, unlike state schools in England, enjoy a greater level of curricular and managerial freedom, and many teachers and parents believe that this can lead to substantial academic advantages for pupils. Unfortunately, these schools have potential disadvantages too. Independent schools, for example, charge significant fees, making them less accessible to many children.
Free schools, meanwhile, are not always an ideal fit for your family’s educational needs. If you are interested in another alternative, you might, therefore, consider the grammar school system.
Grammar schools are selective schools that are funded by the state. Typically, these schools use a test called the 11 Plus, which assesses pupils’ academic aptitude prior to offering them places. Connected with their selectivity, the vast majority of the 163 grammar schools in England boast exceptionally high GCSE and A-Level results, which generally exceed the national average of those achieved by comprehensive schools.
Understandably, places at state grammar schools are in high demand. If your family are based in Birmingham and want to find out more about local grammar schools, this article will look at the Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (sometimes known as the King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys), which is part of a consortium of 8 Grammar Schools run through Birmingham City Council.
Handsworth Grammar School’s Exam Results
HGS’ 2019 A-Level and GCSE results are summarised below.
- A-Levels: Over 98% of all entries passed, with 45% at A* to B grade. 14 subjects achieved a 100% pass rate, and 28 pupils secured A and B grades across the board.
- GCSEs: 99% of all GCSE entries were at 9-4 grades, with approximately 50% at 9-7. The national average for boys achieving passing grades is 62.7%, making HGS’ rate of passes 36.3% better than this. In English and Mathematics, 99% of all grades were between 9-4.
How to Register for 11 Plus at The Handsworth Grammar School
The Handsworth Grammar School is part of a consortium of 8 grammar schools in Birmingham, and details of how to register for the Handsworth Grammar School 11+ entry exam for September 2023 can be found on the centralised Birmingham Grammar Schools website, here.
As the admissions process is centralised, parents should note that while they can express a preference for HGS within the application process, successful applicants might be offered a place at one of the other Birmingham grammar schools available.
11 Plus Entry Requirements for The Handsworth Grammar School
An admissions timetable that details 11+ entry requirements for the Handsworth Grammar School can be found here. Parents should complete the application form initially; applicants will then be sent details of the test date.
After the entrance exam has been set, results will be sent out, and parents of high-scoring pupils will be required to complete a Local Authority preference form. This will be used in the allocation process. Finally, place offers will be issued at the beginning of March.
Exam Preparation for 11 Plus at The Handsworth Grammar School
The Birmingham Grammar Schools website emphasises that their 11+ test is designed to assess pupils’ ability and aptitude in a standardised manner and that factors such as age or intensive preparation will not falsely advantage applicants.
However, many parents find it is nevertheless beneficial to help their child practice CEM-style 11+ test papers, as this can help to build confidence and ensure a level of familiarity with the challenges of formatting and completing tests within a prescribed time limit.
While CEM does not provide official past papers, the Pi Academy’s guide to the King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus entry exam contains several helpful CEM-style practice papers which could help your child to prepare for the entrance test.
Handsworth Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
A detailed description of the Handsworth Grammar School 11 Plus test, including a familiarisation guide, can be found here.
The test itself consists of:
- CEM 11 + test papers that assess Non-Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
- The exam consists of two papers, each lasting around 50 minutes.
- All questions are multiple-choice; there are no sections of writing.
- Answers are written on a separate answer sheet.
Tips to crack 11 plus entrance exam for The Handsworth Grammar School
- Practising 11 Plus-style exam questions can help make test day less daunting
- Consider using the Pi Academy’s targeted resources to work on weaknesses
- You could also look into hiring a professional tutor to help your child prepare
The Handsworth Grammar School: History and Overview
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (commonly Handsworth Grammar School, or HGS) was established in 1862 by Rev. James Merrick with the aim of educating boys in Grove Lane, Handsworth, near Birmingham. In 2017, the school became part of the Foundations of the Schools of King Edward VI.
Taken from Virgil, its motto forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit (“perhaps it will please us to remember these things one day”) hints at the school’s longstanding aim to inculcate a life-long love of learning in its pupils.
With a roll of around 1000 students (predominantly boys, with a co-educational sixth form), HGS was ranked “Outstanding” on all criteria in a recent Ofsted inspection. The report emphasized the school’s quality of teaching, the excellent academic progress of its pupils (particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds), and a wide array of enriching extracurricular activities on offer.
The school’s prospectus highlights a focus on providing a balanced and challenging curriculum and on developing pupils’ self-respect, independence, and initiative. A sense of community characterised by trust, compassion, tolerance, and co-operation is also encouraged, allowing pupils to gain confidence within their school life and beyond. Keep reading to find out more about the Handsworth Grammar School for Boys.
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (commonly Handsworth Grammar School, or HGS) was established in 1862 by Rev. James Merrick with the aim of educating boys in Grove Lane, Handsworth, near Birmingham. In 2017, the school became part of the Foundations of the Schools of King Edward VI.
Facilities and Extracurricular Activities at The Handsworth Grammar School
HGS’ Ofsted report noted that a broad range of extracurricular and enrichment pursuits was an outstanding aspect of the school’s community ethos.
Pupils can partake in music, drama, and arts opportunities, including orchestra, band, and theatre productions. Equally, sport forms an important part of the HGS community, with pupils being encouraged to engage in a wide variety of games and fixtures as part of their weekly schedule.
The school also runs several yearly trips abroad (recently, to Germany and France), and encourages its students to engage in charitable programs both locally and on a national level.
To encourage a spirit of independence, pupils are also encouraged to “fill in gaps” in the school’s extracurricular life by starting their own hobby and interest groups and will be actively supported by staff in doing so.
Conclusion
If you’d like to learn more about the Handsworth Grammar School, check out the school’s website. Here you will find HGS’ prospectus, photo galleries, details about its history and educational philosophy, and much more. You might also consider checking the official Ofsted website, which includes the school’s most recent report (including evaluations of its teaching, facilities, behaviour, and attainment) in full.
The best way of all to judge whether Handsworth is the right school for your family, however, is to visit in person, using the details supplied at the top of the page. Whatever you decide, Pi Academy wishes you good luck in your search for the right school in Birmingham.
School Catchment Area Criteria: Parents need to check the latest updated information on the school website
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys Social Profiles
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys Facebook Page
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys Twitter Page
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys Google Plus Page
11 Plus Exam Guidance - Facebook Group for Parents and Teachers- Key Stages Guidance - Facebook Group for Parents and Teachers
Other Grammar Schools in Birmingham:
KE VI Aston School For Boys 11 Plus Exam Information
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys 11 Plus Exam Information
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls 11 Plus Exam Information
