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Bishop Vesey's Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information
Key Information
Address: Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2NH
County: West Midlands
School Website: https://bvgs.co.uk/
School Type: Boys’ Grammar
Number of Pupils: 945
Number of Places in Year 7: 192
Number of Applicants per Place: 5+ applicants for every place
Open Day Date: Virtual
Exam Date: September
Exam Board Type: GL
About Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, or BVGS was founded in 1527 and is one of the oldest schools in Britain. A state grammar school with academy status, BVGS is located in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands. Although no longer under local authority control, the school continues to cooperate closely with Birmingham local authorities in regards to admissions.
Until the 1880s, the school offered both day and boarding but now only offers day places. With approximately 945 pupils, the school is known for having good rugby union and hockey teams.
The school became a Language College in 2004 and in 2011, it gained Training School status and now provides in-service and work experience training for teachers. BVGS is also a Sixth Form College.
Grammar Schools of Birmingham Consortium 11 Plus Arrangements
Bishop Vesey’s is part of ‘The Grammar Schools of Birmingham Consortium’ and follows a set admission criterion which is based on pupils’ academic performance in the entrance exam and only pupils who attain the required standard will be considered for entry. To be eligible for a place at a grammar school in Birmingham, applicants must sit the optional entrance test and achieve the qualifying score or above.
The eight grammar schools in Birmingham are:
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School for Boys
King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
King Edward VI Five Ways School
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The test is conducted by GL Assessment.
There are two test papers, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, including instructions and example questions.
There is a short break between the two papers.
Each test paper is divided into smaller sections that are individually timed.
The sections cover English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning.
The audio CD provides the test instructions, sample questions, practice exercises, and time notifications. Candidates are informed of the allotted time for each section before it begins. They are only allowed to work on the current section and are not permitted to revisit previous sections or proceed to the next section until instructed. For sections lasting longer than five minutes, candidates will be notified via the audio CD when they have five minutes left.
There are no writing sections in the test; all questions are multiple-choice, and answers are recorded on a separate answer sheet.
The weightings for the test results are as follows: 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning, and 25% for mathematics.
Scores for each section are standardised to account for age differences, ensuring that younger children are not disadvantaged compared to older children in the same cohort.
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Verbal Reasoning 11+ Exam
There are 21 Verbal Reasoning question types that could appear on the exam. Your child will need to be familiar with each question type. The exam is written in a multiple choice format. Aim to complete each question in 20 seconds.
TYPE 1: Insert a Letter (IPS Type A)
TYPE 2: Two Odd Ones Out (IPS Type B)
TYPE 3: Related Words (IPS Type C)
TYPE 4: Closest Meaning (IPS Type D)
TYPE 5: Hidden Word (IPS Type E)
TYPE 6: Missing Word (IPS Type F)
TYPE 7: Letters for Numbers (IPS Type G)
TYPE 8: Move a Letter (IPS Type J)
TYPE 9: Letter Series (IPS Type L)
TYPE 10: Word Connections (IPS Type M)
TYPE 11: Number Series (IPS Type P)
TYPE 12: Compound Words (IPS Type Q)
TYPE 13: Make a Word (IPS Type R)
TYPE 14: Letter Connections (IPS Type U)
TYPE 15: Reading Information (IPS Type Z)
TYPE 16: Opposite Meaning (IPS Type H)
TYPE 17: Complete the Sum (IPS Type I)
TYPE 18: Related Numbers (IPS Type K)
TYPE 19: Word-Number Codes (IPS Type N)
TYPE 20: Complete the Word (IPS Type O)
TYPE 21: Same Meaning (IPS Type S)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Maths 11+ Exam
The 11+ mathematics tests assess mathematics in line with the new National Curriculum and covers a variety of curriculum areas taught in schools up to Year 6. Some questions involve using current mathematical skills to solve new kinds of mathematical problems.
The 11+ maths tests cover the following topics:
Number fluency: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Number: fractions, decimals, prime numbers, prime factors, highest common factor and lowest common multiple, percentages
Measurement: money, time, metric system, perimeter and area, distance, speed and time, volume of cubes and cuboids
Statistics: averages, simple ratio, column graphs, pie charts, co-ordinates
Patterns and algebra
Geometry: angle calculations, reflection and rotation, nets of shapes
Probability
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School English 11+ Exam
The Bishop Vesey's 11+ English exam is a multiple choice test.
The 11+ English test covers the following topics:
Comprehension exercises, where children have to read a passage of text and answer questions on it
Spelling, where children are asked to spot mistakes
Punctuation, where children are asked to spot mistakes
Word choice and grammar, where children can show their understanding of the English language
How to Prepare for Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School’s Eleven Plus Exam
The earlier your child begins preparing for the 11 Plus exam, the more opportunity they will have to refine their abilities. Alongside acquiring knowledge, it is crucial for them to develop the necessary exam skills.
Your child will need to develop the following skills:
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Maths
English
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How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
The West Midlands Grammar Schools conduct a shared entrance test for admission to 19 grammar schools in Birmingham, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, and Wolverhampton. The test, taking place in September 2023 for September 2024 entry, is uniform across all venues and occurs over a single weekend. Candidates can only take the test once and must register on the West Midlands Grammar Schools website, providing their home postcode and child's gender. A recent photograph of the child must be uploaded during registration. Pupil Premium applicants may receive priority, and more information on admissions policies can be found on the respective school websites.
Register here: https://westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk/.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Catchment Area
Bishop Vesey Grammar School does not have a catchment area. Places are allocated based on the scores achieved in the entrance exam.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School's Ofsted Rating
October 2014: Full Inspection: Outstanding
January 2013: Interim Assessment
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
To gain admission to the school, candidates must attain a minimum standardised score known as the "qualifying score" in the selection test.
When the number of applications exceeds the available spots, the school offers places to children based on the following criteria:
Looked After Children/Previously Looked After Children/Internationally Adopted Previously Looked After Children who achieve the qualifying score are ranked according to their standardised score.
Children eligible for the Pupil Premium, who achieve the qualifying score, are ranked based on their standardised score, with a maximum of 38 pupils in this category.
Other children who achieve the qualifying score are ranked according to their standardised score.
If multiple children have the same standardised score, priority is given to those residing closest to the school. The distance is calculated as a straight-line measurement from the applicant's home address to the main school entrance steps. Birmingham Local Authority employs a computerised system called Cartology, which uses metres for distance measurement. Ordnance Survey provides the coordinates used to locate an applicant's home address within this system.
Children who possess an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that specifically designates the school and achieve a qualifying score will be assigned a place. Children with both an EHCP and a qualifying score are given the highest priority for admission to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. It is important to note that this criterion does not apply to situations where there are more applicants than available spots.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Mark
The qualifying score for admission to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School in 2023 is 205. This score has been determined by the Governing Body, taking into careful consideration that all seven other grammar schools in Birmingham have also set 205 as their qualifying score. It is deemed a reasonable score for a student to achieve in an entrance test and subsequently thrive in a grammar school.
It is important to note that the qualifying score holds particular significance for applicants who are Looked After or Previously Looked After Children, as well as applicants who receive Pupil Premium funding. Other applicants should be aware that the score required to secure a place at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is considerably higher than the qualifying score.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Appeals
If a parent or caregiver is denied admission for their child at a school, they retain the right to appeal to an independent Appeal Panel established under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The process of handling appeals for Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is overseen by the School Admissions and Pupil Placements Service. It is crucial that parents are not denied the opportunity to submit an application or informed that they can only be placed on a waiting list instead of making a formal application.
When an application is received during the academic year, the admission authority or, if the local authority is coordinating the in-year admissions on behalf of the admission authority, should strive to notify the parents of the application outcome in writing within 10 school days. However, they must provide written notification within 15 school days at the latest.