King Edward VI Five Ways School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Selective mixed grammar school
• Location: Bartley Green, Birmingham
• Ages: 11-18 years
• Students: Approximately 1,300
• Founded: 1883
• Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
• Entrance Exam: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test
• Application Deadline: 31st October annually

About King Edward VI Five Ways School

King Edward VI Five Ways School holds a distinctive position as the only mixed grammar school within Birmingham's prestigious King Edward VI Foundation. Located on a magnificent 32-acre site beside Bartley Green reservoir, this exceptional institution has been nurturing academic excellence since 1883.

The school's commitment to educational distinction is reflected in its Outstanding Ofsted rating and recognition as one of the nation's top five mixed grammar schools. With approximately 1,300 students, the school maintains an intimate yet dynamic learning environment that fosters both academic rigour and personal development.

The school's ethos centres on providing transformative educational opportunities whilst championing social mobility throughout Birmingham. Students benefit from exceptional facilities including specialist science laboratories, dedicated dance studios, and a swimming pool, all designed to support comprehensive educational development.

What truly distinguishes King Edward VI Five Ways is its balanced approach to academic excellence and character development. The school's location in Bartley Green provides a serene learning environment away from urban distractions, yet remains easily accessible for families across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to King Edward VI Five Ways School requires success in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, a rigorous assessment designed to identify students with the academic potential to thrive in a selective grammar school environment.

The examination consists of two comprehensive one-hour papers featuring multiple-choice questions across four key assessment areas:

• English Comprehension: Testing reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, and language analysis skills
• Mathematics: Assessing numerical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical concepts appropriate for Year 6 students
• Verbal Reasoning: Evaluating logical thinking, pattern recognition, and linguistic problem-solving capabilities
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Testing spatial awareness, visual pattern recognition, and abstract thinking skills

It is crucial to understand that achieving the qualifying score does not ensure admission, as the school consistently receives applications exceeding available places. When oversubscribed, the school applies specific admissions criteria to prioritise qualified candidates, making thorough preparation essential for success.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry requires careful attention to specific deadlines and procedures:

Registration Phase (May-June):
Register your child for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test between 7th May and 28th June. This registration period is strictly enforced, and late applications cannot be accommodated.

Examination Period (September):
Following registration, your child will receive a specific test venue and time slot between 14th-16th September. The school organises these arrangements to ensure optimal testing conditions for all candidates.

Results Notification (October):
Test results are communicated on 18th October, providing families with essential information for their secondary school applications.

School Application (October):
Submit your local authority's secondary school common application form, ensuring King Edward VI Five Ways School is named as a preferred choice by 31st October.

Offer Process (March):
School place offers are made on 3rd March, allowing families adequate time to make informed decisions about their child's educational future.

Preparing for the King Edward VI Five Ways School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

The King Edward VI Five Ways School 11+ rewards steady preparation over a year or so, with the last term given to timed practice and interview confidence. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors match the programme to the school's assessment format and to where the child is starting from.

Because the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, and more than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status, families get a tutor who understands what the assessors are looking for. 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.