King Edward VI Handsworth School – 11+ Parent’s Guide
Essential Details
- Address: King Edward VI Handsworth School, Rose Hill Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9AR
- Number of pupils: 1,100+
- Admissions contact: office@han.kevibham.org
- Number of places in Year 7: 150
- 11+ exam: Birmingham 11+ Entrance Test
- Catchment area: Priority given to Birmingham residents
Mark Your Calendar
See King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls’s website for latest information and key dates.
Exploring King Edward VI Handsworth School: A Parent’s Guide
King Edward VI Handsworth School, established in 1862, is one of Birmingham’s most distinguished grammar schools for girls (co-educational in Sixth Form). Consistently ranked in the top 5% of state schools nationally, Handsworth achieved a Progress 8 score of +1.12 in 2023 and has maintained its ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating since 2010.
The school offers an academically rigorous curriculum with particular strengths in STEM subjects, modern languages and creative arts. Handsworth’s pioneering ‘Women in Technology’ programme partners with Aston University and leading engineering firms, while its business initiative collaborates with major corporations. Facilities include a £3.6 million science and technology centre, professional drama studio and Olympic-standard sports facilities.
With its vertical tutoring system and emphasis on leadership development, Handsworth nurtures confident, ambitious young women through debating, competitive sports and extensive community programmes. The school’s alumni include ground-breaking scientists, award-winning authors and international athletes.
Navigating the Application process for King Edward VI Handsworth School
- Register for Birmingham 11+: Opens May, closes June (strict deadline)
- Understand Admissions Criteria: Places allocated by test score, with priority to Birmingham residents
- Attend Open Morning: First Saturday in July – pre-registration essential
- Submit CAF Form: Birmingham City Council application due by 31 October
- Test Date: Usually second Saturday in September
- Results Released: Mid-October to inform school choices
- Offer Day: National offer day 1 March
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Original price was: £89.99.£59.99Current price is: £59.99.What to Expect on Secondary Transfer Test at King Edward VI Handsworth School
The Birmingham 11+ consists of:
- Verbal Reasoning: 50-minute paper (vocabulary, comprehension, verbal logic)
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: 50-minute paper (diagrammatic, spatial reasoning)
- Mathematics: 50-minute paper (arithmetic, problem-solving)
- Scoring: Standardised scores (total possible 420)
- Pass Mark: Typically 235+ for Handsworth due to strong competition
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Expert Tips for Secondary Transfer Test Preparation
- Master Birmingham’s Verbal Tests: Focus on complex inference and literary analysis
- Develop Advanced Spatial Skills: Non-verbal section includes challenging 3D transformations
- Perfect Mathematical Fluency: Handsworth intake excels in multi-step problem-solving
- Practice Under Time Pressure: Average 40-45 seconds per question
- Build Academic Vocabulary: Study etymology and technical terminology
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