About King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Aston School admits 120 boys annually and is part of the King Edward VI Foundation. The school uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test (GL Assessment). The qualifying score for KE Foundation schools is 205 for 2027 entry.
King Edward VI Aston School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 58.9%. A-Level A*–B: 64%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Aston School 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 120 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.
King Edward VI Aston School 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 (120 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 King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Aston School Admissions Criteria
King Edward VI Aston School admits 120 boys annually and is part of the King Edward VI Foundation. The school uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test (GL Assessment). The qualifying score for KE Foundation schools is 205 for 2027 entry.
- ✓Register at westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk (opens 5th May, closes 26th June, Year 5).
- ✓Sit the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test (GL Assessment).
- ✓Achieve the qualifying standardised score of 205 or above.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children within the catchment area.
- ✓Boys achieving the priority score (224+) within the designated catchment area.
- ✓Boys within the catchment area with Pupil Premium eligibility.
- ✓All other qualifying boys within catchment, ranked by score.
- ✓Boys outside the catchment area, ranked by score then straight-line distance.
King Edward VI Aston School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 120 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 King Edward VI Aston School)
- 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 — King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School
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 King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Aston School selects through the common entrance test of the Grammar Schools of Birmingham (the King Edward VI Foundation consortium), set by GL Assessment and sat once for the Foundation schools — with results age-standardised and combined into a cumulative score.
- English & verbal reasoning: comprehension, vocabulary and verbal logic.
- Mathematics & non-verbal reasoning: Key Stage 2 numeracy plus shapes, patterns and sequences.
There is no fixed pass mark; instead a yearly 'qualifying score' is set by standardising the whole cohort's results.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
King Edward VI Aston School is judged Outstanding by Ofsted across all areas, with students achieving high proportions of top grades at GCSE and A-Level and progressing strongly to higher education. As a specialist sports college it places particular emphasis on sport alongside a broad academic curriculum.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across a broad curriculum.
- Ofsted: rated Outstanding across all areas.
- Specialism: a specialist sports college, with a strong sporting programme.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for King Edward VI Aston School
Admission to Year 7 is through the common entrance test of the Grammar Schools of Birmingham — the consortium of King Edward VI Foundation and other Birmingham grammar schools — set by GL Assessment, so a child sits one test for several schools. It covers English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning; results are age-standardised into a cumulative score, and there is no fixed pass mark — a yearly qualifying score is set from the whole cohort. Families register online through the Birmingham consortium and also complete a Local Authority preference form; testing is in early September, with results in October and offers in March.
The school has a defined catchment of named electoral wards across Birmingham (including Aston, Erdington, Nechells, Ward End and several Sutton wards) and parts of Solihull (such as Castle Bromwich and Chelmsley Wood). After children with an EHCP and looked-after children, priority runs through Pupil Premium pupils and then other qualified children within the catchment (by sibling link, then distance), with out-of-catchment children admitted only where places remain. Always confirm the current catchment map and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
King Edward VI Aston School is a selective boys' grammar and specialist sports college for ages 11–18 on Frederick Road in Aston, Birmingham (B6 6DJ). Opened in 1883 and designed by the Birmingham architect J.A. Chatwin, it is one of the grammar schools of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI.
The school's values centre on diligence, kindness, honesty and integrity, and it places particular emphasis on sport as a specialist sports college alongside a wide enrichment programme. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Edward VI Aston School
How do I apply to King Edward VI Aston School for Year 7?
Applications to King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does King Edward VI Aston School use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School?
King Edward VI Aston School 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 120 places.
How many Year 7 places does King Edward VI Aston School have?
King Edward VI Aston School admits 120 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 King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School's waiting list.
Is King Edward VI Aston School a state school or fee-paying?
King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School 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 King Edward VI Aston School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for King Edward VI Aston School 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.