About Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) admits 192 boys annually. Founded in 1527, it is one of England's oldest grammar schools. Admission requires achieving the qualifying score of 205 in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, after which the school applies its own oversubscription criteria.
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 77.5%. A-Level A*–B: 80.6%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 192 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Birmingham test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Saturday 13 September 2026 and results are released to parents on mid-October 2026 (via Birmingham CET portal) — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (192 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) Admissions Criteria
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) admits 192 boys annually. Founded in 1527, it is one of England's oldest grammar schools. Admission requires achieving the qualifying score of 205 in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, after which the school applies its own oversubscription criteria.
- ✓Register and sit the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test (GL Assessment, September Year 6).
- ✓Achieve the qualifying standardised score of 205 or above.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Boys achieving the priority score (224+) within the school's designated catchment area.
- ✓Boys within the catchment area with Pupil Premium eligibility.
- ✓All other qualifying boys within the catchment area, ranked by score.
- ✓Boys outside the catchment area, ranked by score then straight-line distance.
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 192 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 via Birmingham CET (King Edward VI Foundation) |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Saturday 13 September 2026 (English + Maths + VR + NVR) |
| 📌 Test results released | mid-October 2026 (via Birmingham CET portal) |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Birmingham) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Saturday 13 September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on mid-October 2026 (via Birmingham CET portal), BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School selects through the West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test, produced by GL Assessment and shared across the consortium — so a child sits it once. It is taken in a single sitting, weighted English and verbal reasoning 50%, non-verbal reasoning 25% and mathematics 25%, with age-standardised scoring.
- English: reading comprehension and inference (no writing component).
- Verbal reasoning: logical thinking, vocabulary and use of language.
- Non-verbal reasoning: shapes, sequences and spatial patterns.
- Mathematics: arithmetic, number and problem-solving.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) consistently achieves outstanding results and ranks among the leading state schools in the country. In recent years around 73–75% of GCSE grades were 7–9, and about 86% of A-Level grades were A*–B, with roughly 70% of students progressing to Russell Group universities and a strong track record of Oxbridge and Ivy League places.
- GCSE: consistently strong results across a broad, traditional curriculum.
- A-Level: a wide sixth-form offer (co-educational) with high A*–B outcomes.
- Progression: the large majority to Russell Group universities, with regular Oxbridge success.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test (formerly the Birmingham consortium test), produced by GL Assessment and shared across the Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Warwickshire grammar schools — so a child sits it only once. It is taken in a single sitting and covers English comprehension, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematics, weighted English and verbal reasoning 50%, non-verbal reasoning 25% and mathematics 25%, with age-standardised scores combined into a ranking total.
The school offers 192 Year 7 places and is heavily oversubscribed, with over 1,000 boys applying each year. There is no fixed catchment area; where oversubscribed, priority typically runs through looked-after and previously looked-after children, Pupil Premium applicants who meet the standard, children in any defined priority area, and then the highest-ranked scores, with distance used as a tie-break. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1527 by Bishop John Vesey, BVGS is one of the oldest schools in Britain. A boarding school until 1969, it is now a day school for boys (with a co-educational sixth form) of around 1,350 pupils, on Lichfield Road in Sutton Coldfield (B74 2NH); it became an academy in 2012, holds a languages specialism, and is a partner of the nearby Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls. Its approach blends tradition with an inclusive ethos built on respect and personal responsibility.
The school places strong emphasis on enrichment — from debating and music to international trips and leadership development — supported by modern facilities including science labs, technology suites and a sports pavilion. For the full list of activities, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
How do I apply to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) for Year 7?
Applications to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026), then list Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in Saturday 13 September 2026 (English + Maths + VR + NVR). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)?
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 192 places.
How many Year 7 places does Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) have?
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) admits 192 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on mid-October 2026 (via Birmingham CET portal) — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)'s waiting list.
Is Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) a state school or fee-paying?
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.