Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
School summary
Across every area Ofsted assesses - quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership and the sixth form - Bishop Vesey's Grammar School holds an Outstanding judgement. This selective boys' grammar in Sutton Coldfield draws on a notably diverse intake, with more than a quarter of pupils speaking English as an additional language. With 1,413 boys against a capacity of 1,360, the school is running slightly over its intended size, a sign of sustained demand. It admits 192 boys each year at age 11.
How hard is it to get in?
Very competitive · 3 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand comfortably exceeds the 192 Year 7 places each year - a clear pass, not a borderline one, is what wins a place.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
77.1
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
97%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 30 April 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above the national picture: an Attainment 8 score of 77.1 compares with a national average of 46.9, and 97% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national figure of 47%. The sixth form is rated Outstanding in its own right, making this a strong choice for families looking towards demanding A-level study and beyond. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 23.3 reflects its large size.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 6.86%
- EHC plans
- 0.5%
- English as additional language
- 26.9%
- Free school meals
- 11.6%
Schools nearby
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
King Edward VI Aston School
Birmingham, West Midlands
Queen Mary's Grammar School
Walsall, West Midlands
King Edward VI Handsworth School
Birmingham, West Midlands
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Birmingham, West Midlands
Queen Mary's High School
Walsall, West Midlands
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A boys' grammar with Outstanding ratings straight down the line and results among the highest in the country. Entry is via the GL Assessment 11+, so early, focused preparation matters.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.