King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Selective state grammar school for boys aged 11-18
• Location: Kings Heath, Birmingham
• Founded: 1883
• Headmaster: Mr Russell Bowen (since 2021)
• Specialisms: Science, Mathematics and Applied Learning
• Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
• Entry Requirements: 11+ examination with very high scores required
• Catchment Priority: Yes, with 25% places reserved for Pupil Premium pupils

About King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys has established itself as one of Birmingham's most prestigious grammar schools since its founding in 1883. Located in the leafy suburb of Kings Heath, this selective state school consistently ranks amongst the highest-performing secondary schools nationally, delivering exceptional academic outcomes that rival the country's leading independent institutions.

The school's specialist focus on Science, Mathematics and Applied Learning reflects its commitment to preparing students for the challenges of an increasingly technological world. Under the leadership of Headmaster Mr Russell Bowen, the school maintains its tradition of academic excellence whilst fostering the development of well-rounded young men who demonstrate leadership, resilience and social responsibility.

What sets King Edward VI Camp Hill apart is its unique combination of grammar school selectivity with comprehensive extracurricular opportunities. The school's outstanding Ofsted rating reflects not only its academic achievements but also its exceptional pastoral care and commitment to developing students' character alongside their intellectual capabilities.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys is exclusively through the Birmingham 11+ examination, which assesses students across four key areas:

• Verbal Reasoning: Testing comprehension, vocabulary and logical thinking skills
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Evaluating spatial awareness and pattern recognition
• Mathematics: Covering numerical concepts appropriate to Year 6 level
• English: Assessing reading comprehension, grammar and written expression

The examination is typically held in September of Year 6, with results released in October. Given the school's exceptional reputation, competition is intense, with thousands of students competing for approximately 120 places each year. Students outside the designated catchment area require particularly high scores to secure admission, often needing to achieve in the top 2-3% nationally.

The school's commitment to social mobility is reflected in its requirement that at least 25% of admitted students must be eligible for Pupil Premium, ensuring that academic potential rather than family circumstances determines access to this outstanding education.

How to Apply

The application process for King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys follows Birmingham Local Authority's coordinated admissions scheme:

Registration Phase:
Parents must register their son for the Birmingham 11+ examination through Birmingham City Council's online portal by the specified deadline (typically in May of Year 5). Late registrations are not accepted under any circumstances.

Examination Period:
The 11+ examination takes place across multiple sessions in September of Year 6. Students receive detailed information about examination venues and timings following successful registration.

School Preference:
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys should be listed as a preference on the secondary school application form, submitted through Birmingham's online admissions system by the national deadline of 31st October.

Results and Offers:
Conditional offers are made in March of Year 6, with places confirmed following successful completion of the 11+ examination. The school maintains a waiting list for unsuccessful applicants who meet the academic threshold.

Preparing for the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families in Birmingham and further afield work with us online, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.