About King Edward VI School, Stratford
King Edward VI School, Stratford (also known as King Edward VI Shakespeare's School or KE Stratford) is a selective boys' grammar school (with a co-educational sixth form) in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, admitting 120 pupils per year. It is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership (Warwickshire Consortium) and uses the shared GL Assessment entrance test. The school is located near Shakespeare's birthplace.
King Edward VI School, Stratford provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for King Edward VI School, Stratford
King Edward VI School, Stratford is a boys’ state grammar school (with a co-educational sixth form) 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 School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford
King Edward VI School, Stratford Admissions Criteria
King Edward VI School, Stratford (also known as King Edward VI Shakespeare's School or KE Stratford) is a selective boys' grammar school (with a co-educational sixth form) in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, admitting 120 pupils per year. It is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership (Warwickshire Consortium) and uses the shared GL Assessment entrance test. The school is located near Shakespeare's birthplace.
- ✓Register at westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk (opens 5th May 2026, closes 26th June 2026 at 4pm).
- ✓Sit two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers (English/VR, NVR, Maths).
- ✓Achieve the Warwickshire Consortium qualifying score.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Children within the school's catchment area who achieve the qualifying score.
- ✓All other qualifying children, ranked by score then distance.
King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford)
- 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 School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford
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 School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at King Edward VI School, Stratford
KES Stratford selects through the Warwickshire 11+ (the West Midlands test, GL Assessment), shared across Warwickshire's grammar schools — two roughly 60-minute, multiple-choice papers, age-standardised.
- English & verbal reasoning (50%): comprehension, vocabulary and verbal logic.
- Mathematics (25%): Key Stage 2 arithmetic and problem-solving.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning (25%): pattern recognition and spatial awareness.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for King Edward VI School, Stratford
King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford 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.
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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
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon (GCSE & A-Level Results)
King Edward VI School (KES Stratford) is one of the strongest-performing schools in the region and was judged Outstanding by Ofsted in 2021. It was named Secondary School of the Decade by the Sunday Times in 2020, with particular strengths in English, history and classics and a high rate of progression to Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently among the best results in the region.
- Sixth form: co-educational, with around three-quarters of leavers going to Russell Group universities.
- Ofsted: rated Outstanding (2021); Sunday Times Secondary School of the Decade (2020).
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon
Admission to Year 7 is through the Warwickshire 11+ (part of the West Midlands route), set by GL Assessment and used by all Warwickshire grammar schools. It is two roughly 60-minute multiple-choice papers, divided into individually-timed sections covering English, verbal reasoning, mathematics and non-verbal/spatial reasoning (weighted 50% English and verbal reasoning, 25% non-verbal reasoning, 25% mathematics); answers are electronically marked and age-standardised. There is no fixed pass mark — places are offered by rank order of score, subject to the priority areas.
The school uses priority circles measured from the Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon: an inner circle of 13 miles (highest priority) and an outer circle of about 16.885 miles. Children eligible for the Pupil Premium and looked-after children receive a 20-point allowance. With around 90 Year 7 places, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Families must both register for the Warwickshire 11+ and name the school on their Local Authority form. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon (KES) is a selective boys' grammar for ages 11–18, with a co-educational sixth form since 2013, on Chapel Lane in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire (CV37 6BE), with around 870 pupils. There has been a school on the site since the 13th century; it was re-founded by King Edward VI in 1553, became an academy in 2011, and — as the school William Shakespeare attended — is widely known as 'Shakespeare's School'.
The school combines a long scholarly tradition with a broad, challenging curriculum and a rich enrichment programme spanning drama, music, sport and public speaking, organised around its house system (Warneford, Dyson, Spender and Fitzmaurice). For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon
How do I apply to King Edward VI School, Stratford for Year 7?
Applications to King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does King Edward VI School, Stratford use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford?
King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford have?
King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford's waiting list.
Is King Edward VI School, Stratford a state school or fee-paying?
King Edward VI School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford 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 School, Stratford's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for King Edward VI School, Stratford 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.