Queen Mary's Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Queen Mary's Grammar School

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

Nestled on the outskirts of Walsall's vibrant town centre, Queen Mary's Grammar School stands as a beacon of academic excellence and rich heritage. This selective boys' school, twinned with Queen Mary's High School, is an integral part of the Mercian Trust, a progressive consortium of educational institutions dedicated to nurturing the minds and futures of Walsall's youth. With a history spanning over four and a half centuries, Queen Mary's Grammar School seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, confidently embracing an exhilarating future as it collaborates with its Mercian Trust partners to redefine the educational landscape.

As a testament to its commitment to linguistic prowess, Queen Mary's Grammar School is a proud participant in the Mandarin Excellence Programme, providing students with an immersive eight hours of Mandarin Chinese language study each week. This intensive language immersion not only broadens the students' cultural horizons but also equips them with invaluable skills for an increasingly interconnected world. The school's dedication to holistic development extends beyond academics, as evidenced by its nationally acclaimed Change Your Mind mental health programme, which empowers students to take charge of their well-being and share their knowledge with local primary schools through carefully crafted workshops.

Queen Mary's Grammar School's membership in the Consortium of Grammar Schools in Shropshire, Walsall, and Wolverhampton (SWW Consortium) streamlines the admissions process for prospective students, requiring only a single test to apply to any of the participating schools. This collaborative approach to education is further enhanced by the school's partnership with grammar schools in Birmingham and Warwickshire, creating a seamless testing process that opens doors to a wealth of educational opportunities across the region.

By fostering a culture of academic rigour, linguistic proficiency, and emotional well-being, Queen Mary's Grammar School continues to shape the lives of its students, preparing them to become confident, well-rounded individuals ready to make their mark in an ever-evolving world. As this esteemed institution looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience that honours its rich heritage while embracing the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Queen Mary's Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Queen Mary's Grammar 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 1,312 pupils attend Queen Mary's Grammar School and it's led by the Headmaster, Mr Richard Langton.

Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar School to assess prospective students. This rigorous assessment consists of two papers, each lasting one hour. The papers are further divided into smaller sections, each with its own allocated time, focusing on various aspects of a student's academic abilities.

The exam covers a range of subjects, including English comprehension, which tests a student's understanding and interpretation of written passages. Mathematical skills are also evaluated, assessing a student's proficiency in numerical reasoning and problem-solving. Additionally, the exam includes sections on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which measure a student's ability to analyze and interpret information presented in different formats.

Throughout the examination, students are required to select their answers from multiple-choice options and record them on separate answer sheets. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and fairness in the assessment process. The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is designed to identify students with the academic potential to thrive in the challenging educational environment provided by Queen Mary's Grammar School.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as Queen Mary's Grammar School, 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
• Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
• Haberdashers' Adams
• Newport Girls' High School Academy
• 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 Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Queen Mary's Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 28/03/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 22/05/2023, 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

Queen Mary's Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 28 March 2023 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high academic standards. The behaviour and attitudes of pupils were also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment throughout the school.

The school's personal development provision was highly commended, offering a wide range of opportunities for students to grow and develop beyond the classroom. Leadership and management were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to drive continuous improvement.

The sixth form provision at Queen Mary's Grammar School was also rated as outstanding, preparing students exceptionally well for their future education and careers. Overall, the school has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality education and support for its students.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board that Queen Mary's Grammar 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 Queen Mary's Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.