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King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys

School typeGrammar

Also known asHandsworth Boys, KEHGSB

AddressEdgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, West_Midlands, England, B15 2UD

King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys is a boys' grammar school in the West Midlands. Entry is via the GL 11+ entrance test, and there is no interview stage. The school has a designated catchment area, which is applied as part of the oversubscription criteria.

If your son is the sort who likes to know where he stands and who's watching out for him, Handsworth is a grammar where staff make a point of knowing each boy well. Parents tend to call it the most supportive of the Birmingham grammars, with the form tutor at the centre of how that works in practice. The Good Schools Guide describes a high-achieving, caring school with a strong community feel, the kind of place that draws experienced, kind staff and keeps them. Community, aspiration, respect, endeavour and service sit at the front of everything it does.

The history runs deep, and the boys carry it with some pride. Founded in 1862, it is the oldest surviving selective school in Birmingham, and one boy was quick to point that out. It joined the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in 2017 and took its present name then, teaching boys from 11 to 16 with a co-educational sixth form in Handsworth. Music is a genuine strength, with three concerts a year and a busy round of orchestra, choir, jazz band and ensembles. For an inner-city grammar it is surprisingly sporty too, with a strong football heritage and recent county cricket honours.

Now led by headteacher Mr Tim Johnson, Handsworth suits a scholarly, motivated boy who will enjoy a close community where staff know him by name and expect a lot of him. It rewards a family that wants warm pastoral care sitting right alongside strong academics, and a grammar where a boy can feel both stretched and looked after.

Key facts

Gender

Boys

Year 7 places

150

Annual fees

None

Website

Visit school website

Admissions

Open day

June

Registration opens

May

Registration closes

June

CAF deadline

Oct

Admissions contact

enquiry@hgs.kevibham.org

Admissions phone

0121 554 2794

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 Handsworth Grammar School for Boys have a catchment area?

Yes, it has a designated catchment area covering wards across Birmingham and Sandwell. Entry is by the 11+ entrance test score first; the catchment is used as part of the oversubscription criteria.

Previous exam results

GCSE results

In 2025 students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 72 across their GCSEs. 96.6% gained a grade 5 or better in both English and Maths. 51% 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. 31.3% 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 Handsworth Grammar School for Boys use for the 11+?

King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entrance test.

Does King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys interview 11+ applicants?

No, there is no interview stage as part of the 11+ admissions process for King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys.

What is the gender intake for King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys?

King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys is a single-sex school for boys.

Does King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys have a catchment area?

Yes, the school has a designated catchment area covering wards across Birmingham and Sandwell. This is used as part of the oversubscription criteria after the 11+ test score.

What is the official website for King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys?

The official website for King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys is https://www.handsworth.bham.sch.uk/.

What type of school is King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys?

King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys is a grammar school.

How do you get a place at King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys?

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 Handsworth Grammar School for Boys?

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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