King Edward VI Aston School 11+ Guide

About King Edward VI Aston School

King Edward VI Aston School is a selective secondary school in Birmingham. For children to get into King Edward VI Aston School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, King Edward VI Aston School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Aston, Birmingham, King Edward VI Aston School is a prestigious all-boys grammar school with a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. As a member of the esteemed King Edward VI Foundation, this school has been nurturing bright minds and shaping future leaders for well over a century. The school's diverse and inclusive environment fosters personal growth and cultural understanding among its students.

At King Edward VI Aston School, the comprehensive curriculum is the cornerstone of student progress. Pupils are presented with a wide array of subjects, ranging from core disciplines like English, mathematics, and science to enriching fields such as technology, arts, and physical education. This well-rounded approach ensures that students develop a broad knowledge base and a versatile skill set, preparing them for the challenges of higher education and beyond.

Beyond the classroom, King Edward VI Aston School offers a plethora of opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents. From engaging house competitions and educational trips to thought-provoking lectures and practical learning experiences, pupils are encouraged to participate in a diverse range of activities. The school's extensive extra-curricular program, coupled with the internal Astonian Awards scheme, empowers students to cultivate their academic prowess and leadership potential. Moreover, a wide selection of clubs and societies caters to various interests, allowing students to pursue their passions outside of regular school hours.

The school's core values of diligence, kindness, honesty, and integrity are deeply ingrained in its ethos, shaping students into confident, articulate, and globally-minded individuals. King Edward VI Aston School fosters a culture of hard work, continuous improvement, and a positive attitude towards learning. By cultivating an atmosphere of warmth and humility, the school emphasizes the importance of remaining grounded while striving for success.

With its outstanding academic track record, as evidenced by the consistently high achievement of its students in GCSE and A-Level examinations, King Edward VI Aston School has earned its reputation as a beacon of educational excellence. The school's commitment to providing an exceptional learning experience has been recognized by Ofsted, which has rated it as "Outstanding" across all assessment categories. As a specialist sports college, King Edward VI Aston School also places a strong emphasis on physical education and sporting activities, nurturing well-rounded individuals who are ready to tackle the challenges of the future with confidence and adaptability.

School Information

Below you will find further information about King Edward VI Aston School together with their admissions contact details.

King Edward VI Aston School is a boys 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 1,001 pupils attend King Edward VI Aston School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Matthew Brady.

King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School for the 2022-23 academic year.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into King Edward VI Aston School, 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 King Edward VI Aston School to assess prospective students. This rigorous assessment consists of two one-hour papers, each divided into smaller sections that evaluate the candidate's abilities in various subjects.

The exam covers a range of topics, including English comprehension, which tests the student's understanding and interpretation of written passages, and Maths, which assesses their numerical and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the entrance test evaluates the candidate's verbal and non-verbal reasoning abilities, which measure their capacity for logical thinking and pattern recognition.

Throughout the examination, students are presented with multiple-choice questions and are required to mark their answers on separate answer sheets. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and fairness in the assessment process.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as King Edward VI Aston School, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:

• Bishop Vesey's Grammar 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
• Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
• 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 King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School, 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 King Edward VI Aston School) 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 King Edward VI Aston School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

King Edward VI Aston School was last inspected by Ofsted on 10/05/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 30/06/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

King Edward VI Aston School was inspected by Ofsted on 10 May 2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding quality of education, which is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the teaching staff. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment that fosters student growth and success. Additionally, the school's commitment to personal development was recognized as outstanding, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for life beyond the classroom.

The leadership and management of King Edward VI Aston School were also rated as outstanding, demonstrating the effectiveness of the school's governance and strategic planning. Finally, the sixth form provision was deemed outstanding, providing students with excellent opportunities for further education and personal growth.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School. Please note that this may include past 11+ 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 King Edward VI Aston School currently uses.

The exam board that King Edward VI Aston School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

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 King Edward VI Aston School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.