King Edward VI High School for Girls (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

King Edward VI High School for Girls is a selective independent school for girls in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Established in 1883, it serves 640+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, King Edward VI delivers stellar academic results. The school's ISI report currently rates the school as "Excellent". You can read more on King Edward VI High School for Girls ISI report.

Recognised as the Sunday Times West Midlands Independent Secondary School of the Year 2024, King Edward VI High School for Girls champions a distinctive 'best of both worlds' approach. It combines single-sex academic focus with co-educational enrichment, sharing the state-of-the-art Ruddock Performing Arts Centre with the adjacent boys' school.

In this guide, I leverage my 18-year education consultancy background to simplify King Edward VI High School for Girls 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 670+
• GCSE Results (2025): 91% achieved Grades 9-8
• A-Level Results (2025): 79% achieved Grades A*-A

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 80
• Exam Board: Internal School Exam
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

​Strategic planning is essential for the King Edward VI High School for Girls admissions process. I have compiled the definitive schedule of King Edward VI High School for Girls 11 plus exam dates, including the vital King Edward VI High School for Girls open day, to guide your preparation. 

The table below outlines every crucial 11+ Exam date and associated 11 plus exam dates for the 2025 academic entry.

​King Edward VI High School for Girls manages its own 11 plus exam process for Year 7 entry. Parents seeking admission to one of the top independent schools in Birmingham must apply directly, as stated in the King Edward VI High School for Girls Admissions Policy.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Submit the 11 plus exam registration form via the King Edward VI website before the early October 2025 deadline.
• Pay the £45 registration fee, unless you are applying for an Assisted Place, in which case the fee is waived.
• Upload a copy of your daughter’s birth certificate and clearly indicate any interest in Music Scholarships on the form.
• Provide correct details for the school to request a confidential reference regarding academic potential from your daughter’s current Headteacher.

In this section, we detail the academic assessment for the King Edward VI High School for Girls 11 Plus Test. The process is designed to identify girls with high academic potential who will thrive in this stimulating environment.

For Year 7 entry in September 2026, the entrance examination will take place in early October 2025. It is crucial to note that this school sets its own papers and does not use the standard Birmingham Consortium 11+ test.

As stated in the King Edward VI High School for Girls Admissions Policy, the assessment consists of two written papers. These exams focus strictly on English and Mathematics, as the school does not set verbal or non-verbal reasoning tests.

11+ English

The 11+ English paper lasts for one hour and is designed to test reading and writing skills. The paper is split into two distinct sections which carry equal weight in the final assessment.

Section A: Reading Comprehension

Candidates are presented with a passage of fiction or non-fiction text to analyse.

• This section assesses the student's ability to understand explicit details and implied meanings.
• 11+ exam questions require students to infer character motivations and analyse the writer's choice of language.
• Answers must be written in full sentences with evidence from the text.
• Accuracy in spelling and punctuation is monitored throughout the comprehension responses.

Section B: Creative Writing

The second section requires students to produce a piece of continuous writing based on a prompt.

• Marks are awarded for creativity, structure, and the use of varied vocabulary.
• Candidates should demonstrate their ability to write in an engaging and coherent manner.
• This task tests technical accuracy, including paragraphing and grammar usage.

11+ Mathematics

The 11+ Mathematics paper is also one hour long and evaluates numerical fluency and logical thinking. The content is largely based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum but extends to more challenging problem-solving tasks.

• The paper begins with straightforward calculation questions to test arithmetic speed and accuracy.
• Students will encounter questions on number, algebra, shape, space, and measures.
• 11 plus exam questions in the latter part of the paper require multi-step logical reasoning.
• Candidates are expected to show their working out clearly to demonstrate their method.
• Calculators are not permitted during this examination.

It is important for parents to ask how long is the 11+ exam to help their child practise managing their time effectively.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does King Edward VI follow?

The papers are set internally by the school.

How long is the 11+ Exam for King Edward VI?

The English paper is 60 minutes long and the Mathematics paper is 60 minutes long.

King Edward VI High School for Girls does not publish a specific required standard or cut-off score. Admissions are based on a holistic review of the eleven plus exam performance.

While the school does not have an official pass mark, if the child is able to achieve 95%+ score in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers, they will be able to ace the King Edward VI entrance assessment.

​King Edward VI High School for Girls is widely considered the premier independent girls' school in the West Midlands. However, securing a place here is exceptionally difficult due to intense competition.

I have guided Birmingham families through this process for nearly two decades. Relying solely on King Edward VI High School for Girls is a risky strategy that I strongly discourage. I always advise parents to curate a portfolio of three grammar schools and two private backups. 

This approach ensures your daughter secures a place in an academically rigorous environment, regardless of one specific outcome.​

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools​

Families targeting King Edward VI usually look at the Birmingham Consortium for state options and Solihull for private backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to King Edward VI High School for Girls

• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls: This is the strongest state alternative to KEHS. It consistently ranks as one of the top grammar schools nationally, offering comparable academic rigour without fees.
• Solihull School: For families willing to consider a co-educational environment, Solihull offers excellent facilities. It sits its entrance exams on a different date, allowing it to serve as a perfect independent backup.
• King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls: A fantastic grammar school option within the same Foundation. It utilises the GL Assessment format, meaning preparation for this overlaps heavily with other state grammar tests.
• Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS): EHS provides a nurturing single-sex environment similar to KEHS. It is often viewed as a slightly less pressurised academic alternative that still delivers strong results.

Advisory Note: While KEHS remains the "Gold Standard" in Birmingham, the acceptance rate is low. A strategy involving the Birmingham Grammar Consortium and at least one other independent school is the only way to mitigate the risk.

​The entrance assessment for King Edward VI High School for Girls is designed to identify potential and academic ability. The school sets its own papers, focusing strictly on Mathematics and English. Our analysis of 11+ past papers with answers helps students understand the exam format and key topics required for success.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths Topics

The KEHS Mathematics paper is known for its challenging nature, testing both arithmetic accuracy and problem-solving skills. Based on our review of 11+ maths papers, questions often require multi-step logical thinking rather than just rote learning. The exam emphasizes Number theory and Geometry significantly.

To master these areas, students should practise with our targeted 11+ maths topics resources. This comprehensive collection includes Numbers, Geometry, and Algebra worksheets. We also cover Statistics and Ratio & Proportions to ensure full syllabus coverage.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam English Topics

The English paper assesses reading and writing skills through comprehension and creative writing tasks. Analysis of 11+ English past papers shows that the school values the ability to analyse texts deeply and write engagingly. Reading Comprehension and Creative Writing are the primary focus areas.

 Enhance your preparation with our specialised resources. We recommend focusing on Reading Comprehension and Creative Writing modules. Additionally, strengthening Vocabulary and Literary Devices will help in tackling higher-level questions found in 11 plus English exams.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI High School for Girls?

Our targeted 11 plus test papers are designed to mirror the style of top independent schools. These resources help students familiarise themselves with the 11+ maths questions and English formats well before the exam.

We recommend the following resources for King Edward VI High School for Girls. These packs contain 11 plus practice papers with detailed step-wise solutions to help your daughter score top marks.

​King Edward VI High School for Girls is academically demanding, making consistent practice crucial for success. Writing 11 plus mock tests helps students adapt to the specific exam format and strict time constraints. These simulations are excellent for spotting gaps in knowledge and building confidence before the big day.

We advise parents to choose the King Edward VI High School for Girls 11 plus mock exam resources listed below. You can also evaluate your child’s progress with our free 11 plus mock test available online. Scheduling an 11 plus mock test Birmingham helps candidates manage nerves within a familiar regional setting.

​For the 2024/25 academic year, the senior school fees are £5,662 per term. This inclusive cost covers tuition, lunches, and personal accident insurance.

King Edward VI High School for Girls bursaries provide significant means-tested assistance to eligible families. A specific KEVIHS Girls bursary can cover up to 100% of tuition costs.

Talented pupils may also receive King Edward VI High School for Girls Scholarships for academic or musical merit. Please visit our article on the most expensive Private Schools UK to compare these costs.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 3^rd September 2025 to Friday 17^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3^rd November 2025 to Friday 12^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 6^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Friday 27^th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Tuesday 21^st April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Friday 3^rd July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and King Edward VI High School for Girls Official Website.