Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls 11+ Guide

About Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Birmingham. For children to get into Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the tranquil suburbs of Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls (SCGSG) stands as a beacon of academic brilliance, offering an exceptional educational experience to young women. With a rich heritage spanning nearly a century, this prestigious institution has consistently nurtured generations of accomplished and empowered individuals.

At SCGSG, students embark on a transformative journey through a meticulously crafted curriculum that seamlessly blends rigorous academics with a vibrant array of extracurricular activities. The school's unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in its comprehensive range of subjects, encompassing the core disciplines of English, mathematics, and the sciences, alongside a diverse selection of modern foreign languages. This well-rounded approach ensures that students develop a deep understanding and appreciation for various fields of study.

Beyond the classroom, SCGSG offers a wealth of opportunities for personal growth and exploration. From captivating theatrical productions and thought-provoking guest lectures to thrilling athletic competitions and immersive STEM initiatives, students are encouraged to pursue their passions and discover new horizons. The school's dedication to fostering a strong sense of community is evident in its collaborative partnership with Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, resulting in joint events that showcase the talents and camaraderie of both institutions.

At the heart of SCGSG's ethos lies a steadfast commitment to nurturing resilience, independence, and a growth mindset. Through a supportive and challenging environment, students are empowered to embrace obstacles as opportunities for growth, cultivating the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. The school's track record of academic excellence, as evidenced by its students' outstanding performance in GCSE and A-level assessments, is a testament to the effectiveness of its approach.

With its unwavering dedication to academic excellence, holistic development, and community spirit, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when young minds are nurtured in an environment that values effort, fosters independence, and inspires greatness.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,220 pupils attend Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr Barbara Minards.

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, children need to pass the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Subjects & Structure

The West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English comprehension
• Maths
• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning

The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is the examination used by Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls to assess prospective students. The test is composed of two papers, each lasting one hour. These papers are further divided into smaller sections, each with its own allocated time.

The exam covers a range of subjects designed to evaluate the candidate's abilities in various areas. These subjects include English comprehension, which tests the student's understanding and interpretation of written passages; Maths, which assesses the child's numerical and problem-solving skills; Verbal reasoning, which measures the ability to analyze and manipulate language; and Non-verbal reasoning, which examines the capacity to recognize patterns and solve problems using visual cues.

All questions in the entrance test are presented in a multiple-choice format. Candidates are provided with separate answer sheets on which they mark their selected responses. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to determine the student's performance in each subject area.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:

• Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
• King Edward VI Aston School
• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
• King Edward VI Five Ways School
• King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
• King Edward VI Handsworth School
• Haberdashers' Adams
• Newport Girls' High School Academy
• Queen Mary's Grammar School
• Queen Mary's High School
• Alcester Grammar School
• King Edward VI School
• Lawrence Sheriff School
• Rugby High School
• Stratford Girls' Grammar School
• Wolverhampton Girls' High School

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ tests (to get into Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 15/12/2022, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls was inspected by Ofsted on 8 November 2022. The overall outcome of the inspection was Good. This rating was consistent across all key areas assessed, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The school demonstrated a strong performance in providing a high-quality education to its students. The behaviour and attitudes of students were commendable, indicating a positive learning environment. The school's efforts in fostering personal development among students were also recognized as effective.

The leadership and management of Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls were found to be Good, contributing to the overall success of the institution. Additionally, the sixth form provision was deemed to be of a high standard, preparing students well for their future endeavors.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Ensure you double-check with Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.