Queen Mary's High School 11+ Guide

About Queen Mary's High School

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

Nestled in the heart of Walsall, West Midlands, Queen Mary's High School is a beacon of academic excellence for girls. This selective grammar school, with a rich history spanning over a century, nurtures approximately 700 pupils across four distinct houses: Austen, Brontë, Eliot, and Shelley. The school's motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful), is deeply ingrained in the fabric of its vibrant community, fostering respect and responsibility among its students.

At Queen Mary's High, the academic curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support each pupil's unique journey of growth and self-discovery. Whether their passions lie in the realms of science, technology, mathematics, or languages, students are encouraged to explore their strengths at a pace that suits their individual needs. The school's commitment to holistic development is further exemplified by its extensive array of extracurricular activities, exchanges, trips, and enrichment programs. From choir and drama to Mandarin and engineering, there is no shortage of opportunities for pupils to pursue their interests and cultivate new skills.

Central to the ethos of Queen Mary's High is the belief that emotional well-being is the foundation of academic success. The school's dedicated pastoral care team ensures that each student's individual needs are met with compassion and understanding, regardless of their complexity. The supportive staff fosters a strong sense of community, creating an environment where pupils feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Queen Mary's High School's commitment to excellence is evident in its Outstanding Ofsted rating and impressive academic achievements. With a substantial proportion of students consistently achieving top grades at GCSE and A-levels, the school has earned a stellar reputation as a sought-after educational institution. By embracing a truly holistic approach to education, Queen Mary's High nurtures well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world around them.

As part of the Mercian Trust and the Consortium of Grammar Schools in Shropshire, Walsall, and Wolverhampton (SWW Consortium), Queen Mary's High School is committed to providing the best education and life chances for the children and young people of Walsall. The school's partnership with Queen Mary's Grammar School further strengthens its position as a leading educational establishment in the region.

School Information

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

Queen Mary's High School 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 908 pupils attend Queen Mary's High School and it's led by the Head Teacher, Mrs Nicola Daniel.

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

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into Queen Mary's High 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 High 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 academic ability.

The entrance test evaluates candidates' proficiency in English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. These subjects are designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of a student's aptitude and potential.

Throughout the examination, students are presented with multiple-choice questions. They are provided with separate answer sheets on which they indicate their responses. These answer sheets are then subjected to electronic marking to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as Queen Mary's High 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 Grammar 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 High 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 High 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 High 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 High School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Queen Mary's High School was last inspected by Ofsted on 12/10/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 22/11/2021, 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 High School was inspected by Ofsted on 12 October 2021 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision were all deemed to be of the highest standard.

The inspection report highlights the exceptional performance of the school across all aspects of its operations. The school's commitment to providing an outstanding education and fostering a positive learning environment is evident in the results of the inspection.

Queen Mary's High School has demonstrated its ability to consistently deliver excellent outcomes for its students, thanks to the dedication and hard work of its staff and leadership team. The school's Outstanding rating is a testament to its ongoing success and its position as a leading educational institution.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

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

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