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King Edward VI Aston School

School typeGrammar

AddressFrederick Road, Aston, West_Midlands, England, B6 6DJ

King Edward VI Aston School is a boys' grammar school in the West Midlands. It uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entrance exam, which is a single-stage process and does not include an interview. The school has a defined priority catchment area for admissions.

For an able boy who would do better in a friendly, grounded school than a fierce one, King Edward VI Aston is worth knowing about. The Good Schools Guide describes it warmly as an unpretentious inner-city grammar that has always reflected the changing community around it, and visitors are often surprised at how kind the place feels for a selective school. It is part of the long-standing King Edward VI Foundation and was founded in 1883. Of the Foundation's schools it is the only one still standing on its original Aston site, the same buildings, much added to, that boys have walked into for more than 140 years. With around 960 pupils it is on the smaller side for a grammar, which is part of why it feels close-knit.

What the Guide keeps returning to is the tone. Strong leadership and a culture of kindness stand out, behaviour is described as exemplary, and there is real mutual respect across a diverse intake. Boys are encouraged to be proud of what they achieve while staying modest and warm towards each other. There is more going on outside lessons than you might expect for a school this size, and as a specialist sports college it puts a good deal behind games, with rugby and cricket alongside a strong music programme and plenty else to try.

This suits an academically able boy who wants to be pushed hard on his work without losing the warmth around him. The school is led by headteacher Mr Matt Brady, and the boys who do best here are the ones who get stuck in and look out for one another.

Key facts

Gender

Boys

Year 7 places

120

Annual fees

None

Website

Visit school website

Admissions

Open day

July, Oct

Registration opens

May

Registration closes

Jun

CAF deadline

Oct

Admissions contact

enquiry@keaston.bham.sch.uk

Admissions phone

0121 327 1130

Registration form

View registration details

Sibling policy

Yes

What this school tests

West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

English13 question types

Reading Comprehension - ComparisonReading Comprehension - EvaluationReading Comprehension - Grammar and punctuationReading Comprehension - Inference and DeductionReading Comprehension - Information RetrievalReading Comprehension - Language Techniques and ImageryReading Comprehension - Sentence-level ComprehensionReading Comprehension - SequencingReading Comprehension - Structure, Form, Voice and ToneReading Comprehension - SummarisingReading Comprehension - Text Classification and PurposeReading Comprehension - Types of Words and PhrasesReading Comprehension - Word Meaning / Choice

Maths23 question types

AlgebraAngles and DegreesBIDMASCoordinate GridsEstimation and RoundingFactors and MultiplesFractions, Decimals and PercentagesMagic squaresMeasurementMoneyNumber and Place ValueNumber WallsOperationsPerimeter, Area and VolumePosition and DirectionProperties of ShapesRatio and ProportionReflection, Rotation and SymmetrySequencesSpecial NumbersSpeed, Distance and TimeStatisticsTime

Non-verbal Reasoning14 question types

Extended Figure SeriesFigure AnalogiesFigure MatricesFigure OperationsFigure SeriesGrid MatricesHorizontal CodesMost Like Three FiguresMost Like Two FiguresOdd Figure OutStar MatricesTriangle MatricesTriangle SeriesVertical Codes

Spatial Reasoning8 question types

2D RotationsBlock CountingCombining ShapesFold and PunchFolding CubesHidden ShapesMissing Face of CubeShape Completion

Verbal Reasoning26 question types

AnagramsCompound WordsEmbedded WordsForm a WordInsert a LetterLetter AnalogiesLetter CalculationsLetter CodesLetter GridsLetter SequencesMove 1 / 2 LettersNumber AnalogiesNumber CalculationsNumber SequencesRelated WordsRhyming SynonymsShuffled SentencesSynonymsWord / Logic PuzzlesWord AnalogiesWord CompletionWord MatchWord OppositesWord PairsWord RelationshipsWords and Codes

Catchment area

Does King Edward VI Aston School have a catchment area?

Yes, they do. For King Edward VI Aston School, priority catchment area is defined by home addresses that are within the following electoral wards:

Birmingham: Alum Rock, Aston, Bromford & Hodge Hill, Castle Vale, Erdington, Garretts Green, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross, Gravelly Hill, Heartlands, Nechells, Perry Common, Pype Hayes, Shard End, Sheldon, Stockland Green, Sutton Four Oaks, Sutton Mere Green, Sutton Reddicap, Sutton Roughley, Sutton Trinity, Sutton Vesey, Sutton Walmley & Minworth, Sutton Wylde Green, Ward End, Yardley East, Yardley West & Stechford
Solihull: Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst & Fordbridge, Smith’s Wood.

Previous exam results

GCSE results

In 2025 students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 71.2 across their GCSEs. 97.1% gained a grade 5 or better in both English and Maths. 61.4% achieved the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/

A-level results

In 2025 students achieved a B average grade per A-Level entry. 26% gained AAB or better including two facilitating subjects. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/

Frequently asked questions

What exam board does King Edward VI Aston School use for the 11+?

King Edward VI Aston School uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entrance exam.

Does King Edward VI Aston School interview as part of the 11+ process?

No, King Edward VI Aston School does not include an interview stage as part of its 11+ entrance exam.

Is King Edward VI Aston School co-educational or single-sex?

King Edward VI Aston School is a single-sex grammar school for boys.

What is the official website for King Edward VI Aston School?

The official website for King Edward VI Aston School is https://www.keaston.bham.sch.uk/.

Does King Edward VI Aston School have a catchment area for 11+ admissions?

Yes, King Edward VI Aston School has a priority catchment area covering specific electoral wards in Birmingham and Solihull.

How do you get a place at King Edward VI Aston School?

Your son first needs to reach the required standard in the King Edward VI Foundation entrance test, which covers verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning. Places are then offered in priority order: looked-after and previously looked-after boys first, then boys on Pupil Premium in catchment (up to a quarter of places, extending outside catchment if needed), then boys in catchment who reach the priority score, with siblings given preference, then all remaining boys by test score. A boy with an EHCP naming the school is admitted first. There's no fixed pass mark; it depends on demand each year.

What happens if my child is ill on 11+ test day at King Edward VI Aston School?

If your son has a disability or specific need, you can request reasonable adjustments such as extra time. Complete the additional form by 12 June 2026 with medical evidence and information from his primary school; an independent panel then decides. The entrance test is run by the King Edward VI Foundation across its grammar schools, and the policy doesn't set out a separate procedure for a boy who is ill on the test day itself. If that happens, contact the Foundation's admissions department as early as you can.

Location

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