King Edward VI Handsworth School
School summary
A selective girls' grammar in Birmingham, King Edward VI Handsworth pairs formidable academic results with a notably diverse intake: around a quarter of pupils qualify for free school meals and a similar proportion speak English as an additional language. With roughly 1,324 girls against a capacity of 1,060, the school is running well over its nominal limit, a sign of just how sought-after a place here is. Ofsted has rated behaviour, personal development, leadership and the sixth form all Outstanding, with quality of education judged Good. Families looking for a strong academic environment that draws from a broad community will find much to consider.
How hard is it to get in?
Competitive · 2 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand exceeds the 192 Year 7 places in most years, though less sharply than at the most oversubscribed schools.
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
74.2
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
98%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Not judged
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 17 December 2024
Teaching & academics
The headline figures are striking. An average Attainment 8 score of 74.2 sits far above the national average of 46.9, and 98 per cent of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against a national figure of 47 per cent. The Outstanding sixth form judgement suggests this momentum carries through to A-level study.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 5.82%
- EHC plans
- 0.08%
- English as additional language
- 25.8%
- Free school meals
- 24.4%
Schools nearby
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Birmingham, West Midlands
King Edward VI Aston School
Birmingham, West Midlands
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
Birmingham, West Midlands
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
Birmingham, West Midlands
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Queen Mary's Grammar 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.
Academic excellence without social exclusivity: a high-achieving girls' grammar that genuinely reflects its city. Competition for its 192 places is fierce.
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.
Free month · No payment needed
King Edward VI Handsworth 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.