About Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) is an independent day school for girls aged 2–18 on Westbourne Road in leafy Edgbaston, Birmingham. Founded in 1876, it is Birmingham’s oldest independent girls’ school.
EHS aims to provide a broad, modern and inspiring education, encouraging each girl’s individuality, independence and intellectual curiosity, with academic ambition matched by strong pastoral care and a wide co-curricular life.
About the Edgbaston High School Entrance Assessment
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) is a girls independent school in England that historically used the CEM 11+ entrance test (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham) for Year 7 admission. Note that many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or bespoke entrance tests since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022 — verify the current format on the school's website. The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) (registration fee payable).
The CEM-style 11+ format traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The CEM-style is the established alternative reference format to GL Assessment.
For 2026 entry, the Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)
- Type: Independent (fee-paying) day school for girls, ages 2–18*
- Main 11+ entry: Year 7, by the school’s own written entrance examination
- Assessment: written papers in English and Mathematics, with a current school reference considered
- Awards: academic and music scholarships (up to 50% fee remission) and means-tested bursaries
Applications are made directly to EHS rather than through any local-authority process. Families register with the Admissions Office (admissions@edgbastonhigh.co.uk), attend an open event or visit, and the child sits the Year 7 entrance assessment; offers follow on the basis of performance. Bursary applicants complete a separate Registration and Bursary Application Form by the published autumn deadline.
Fees are charged per term and reviewed annually, with a sibling discount available. Confirm the current fees, dates and award details directly with the school.
CEM Select Practice Papers for Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) uses the CEM Select 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 24 hours of video content
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 22.5 hours of video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.0 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) 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 Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Edgbaston High School for Girls is an academically ambitious independent school with a strong record at GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a high proportion of strong GCSE grades across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: a well-established sixth form supporting applications to leading universities.
- Progression: high rates of progression to competitive universities, with thorough careers and university guidance.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)
Edgbaston High School for Girls is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Birmingham and the West Midlands and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on Westbourne Road in Edgbaston, close to the city centre and well served by local transport, drawing pupils from across Birmingham and the surrounding area.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1876, EHS combines academic challenge with strong pastoral care in a ‘proudly, fearlessly female’ community that encourages confidence and independence.
Co-curricular life is broad, with strong drama (LAMDA from the early years), music and a ‘mass-participation’ approach to sport, plus a dedicated Sixth Form centre and access to the nearby Botanical Gardens. For the full list of clubs, ensembles and teams, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)
How do I apply to Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) for Year 7?
Applications to Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) use the CEM 11+ test?
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) have?
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)?
For 2026 entry, Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)'s 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)?
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) a state school or fee-paying?
Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Edgbaston High School for Girls (EHS) 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.