About King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) is a girls’ independent day school in Birmingham. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #13 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 96.6%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) Admissions Criteria
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) is a girls’ independent day school in Birmingham. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS). Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)'s own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS).
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS). Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS).
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
Step 1 — Visit KEHS during Open Days in June and September
Visit KEHS during Open Days in June and September — meet the principal, current pupils, parents and faculty
Step 2 — Register between March and September of Year 6
Register between March and September of Year 6 — complete the 11+ Application Form online
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee and request access arrangements
Pay the registration fee and request access arrangements (with Educational Psychologist Report and medical evidence) if needed
Step 4 — The school requests a reference from your daughter's
The school requests a reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Indicate interest in an Assisted Place
Indicate interest in an Assisted Place on the Registration Form if you wish to apply for means-tested fee support
Step 6 — Your daughter sits the 11+ Entrance Examination at the
Your daughter sits the 11+ Entrance Examination at the beginning of October (Year 6) — one English paper and one Mathematics paper (both written, no multiple-choice)
Step 7 — Offers announced in early December
Offers announced in early December; deadline for acceptance usually mid-March
Step 8 — Results sent to all parents via postal mail (place offered
Results sent to all parents via postal mail (place offered, scholarship, Assisted Place, or reserve list)
Independent Subjects Tested at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
Scholarships & Bursaries at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
Available scholarships and bursaries: 11+ Academic Scholarships (10-50% of fees, not means-tested), Music Scholarships (Grade 6+ + audition). Assisted Places (means-tested, family income below £20,000 = no fees; sliding scale up to £72,000). 25% sibling discount for 3rd+ child where parents pay full fees for 3+ siblings.
Outcome announced: 11+ Academic Scholarships range 10-50% of fees (not means-tested). Music Scholarships require Grade 6+ instrument + audition. 96 Year 7 places offered annually.
Additional notes: King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) is an academically selective independent day school in Edgbaston, Birmingham (founded 1883). Part of the King Edward VI Foundation, shares heritage with King Edward's School (boys). Fees £5,954/term (£7,145 incl. VAT) for 2025/26. Year 7 lunch participation required (£4.75/day, termly).
Independent Practice Papers for King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — 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 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) 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 High School for Girls (GCSE & A-Level Results)
KEHS is one of the top independent schools in the UK academically — recently the leading independent school for academic excellence in the West Midlands for several consecutive years.
- GCSE: an outstanding record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: excellent results (with the EPQ), with many girls progressing to Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group universities.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for King Edward VI High School for Girls
King Edward VI High School for Girls is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, with selective entry by the school’s own examination rather than where a family lives; the school is committed to widening access through Assisted Places funded by the King Edward VI Foundation.
It occupies a 50-acre Edgbaston campus shared with King Edward’s School; main entry points are 11+ and 13+, with a dedicated Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1883 as the sister school to King Edward’s School and part of the King Edward VI Foundation (which has educated Birmingham pupils since 1552), King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) is a leading independent day school for girls (ages 11–18) on a 50-acre Edgbaston campus next to the University of Birmingham. Among the first schools in the country dedicated to girls’ education, it is known for intellectual ambition balanced with a deliberately non-‘exam-factory’ ethos, strong pastoral care and the character qualities of integrity, compassion and respect.
Co-curricular life is rich, with outstanding sports facilities (an indoor centre and pool used as a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games training venue) alongside a performing arts centre, music and a wide range of clubs. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Edward VI High School for Girls
How do I get into King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)?
To gain entry to King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
What entrance exam does King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) use?
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)?
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)?
Yes. King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)?
Most independent schools including King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS). No registration required.
When is the King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) is September of Year 6 (registrations begin in March). The registration fee is Payable with application. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS) 11+ results announced?
At King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS), 11+ assessment results are Early December (sent via postal mail). The deadline to accept a place is Mid-March (co-ordinated with other local independent schools).