School Address

Contact Information

Admissions and Administration Officer Mrs S Collins

Email Address scollins@kefw.org

Telephone (Main Office) 0121 475 3535

Website Address https://www.kefw.org

Parking in the school

Parking is free on site at King Edward VI Five Ways school. Alternative parking can be found within a 30 minute walk.

• Frankley Southbound, Lley Lane, Frankley CP B32 4AR (Opening Times Mon-Sun All Day)
• Herbert Austin Car Park, Sir Herbert Austin Way, Birmingham, B31 2NG (Opening Times Mon-Sat All Day, Sun 08:00-18:00)

The GL 11 Plus Test: Overview

There are four components making up the GL 11 Plus, the entrance test required for schools in Birmingham. We provide a detailed breakdown of the content of the entrance test. Please see our article ‘Selective Tests in Birmingham – The GL 11 Plus Test’

Overview

• Paper One and Paper Two are both 60 minute papers which include all 4 areas tested by the GL 11 Plus: English, maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning. Each area tested has its own section in the paper.

The GL 11 Plus Test: Pass Criteria

Notably, there is no official ‘pass mark’ for the GL 11 Plus entrance test to Birmingham grammar schools. Children receive an aggregate mark for their test by October for the following year of entry. The marks are statistically standardised to compare any one score to the average score of their school year. As the results are standardised, age is taken into account, meaning the youngest member of the cohort is not penalised for their age. Instead of an official ‘passing grade’, Birmingham City Council grammar schools select students depending on whether they reach the ‘qualifying mark’, this is variable year to year. All the admission policies in Birmingham, including Five Ways, require children to reach the ‘qualifying mark’ to be considered for admission. It is estimated that the top 25% of students in the country will receive a qualifying mark. For more information please see our article ‘Selective Tests in Birmingham – The GL 11 Plus Test’.

Catchment Area

Applicants who achieve the ‘qualifying score’ are eligible for admission to the school. As aforementioned, this ‘qualifying score’ or ‘qualifying mark’ is the minimum standardised mark achieved on the entrance test to allow the student to be considered for entry to the school.

As a general rule and where the number of ‘qualifying’ students exceeds the number of places, Five Ways prioritises students who reside in the catchment area. The catchment area consists of addresses in both Birmingham and Sandwell. Notably, these catchment areas are not exact, and are subject to change each year. A map of the catchment area is also available on the school website.

Birmingham:

• Allens Cross, Bartley Green, Bournville & Cotteridge, Frankley Great Park, Harborne, King’s Norton North, King’s Norton South, Longbridge & West Heath, Northfield, Quinton, Rubery & Rednal, Weoley & Selly Oak

Sandwell:

• Abbey, Bristnall, Old Warley

Additional eligibilities

While the catchment area above indicates the general method of priority, that priority is given to children who reside in that catchment area, Five Ways School operates on an additional 5-tier priority basis.

1. First, “Looked After” or “Previously Looked After”* Children who achieve the qualifying score. Applicants in this category are ranked by test score and then by distance from the school;
2. Next, children attracting the Pupil Premium** who achieve the qualifying score and live within the school catchment area. Applicants in this category will be ranked by distance from the school;
3. If fewer than 45 places are filled by applicants in category 2, offers will be made to children attracting the Pupil Premium who achieve the qualifying score and live outside the school catchment area, until a total of 45 children attracting the Pupil Premium have been offered. Pupils in this category are ranked by test score. Where test scores are equal, priority is given to a child if they have a sibling at the school; then by distance from the school;
4. Next, applicants who achieve the priority score*** and live within the school catchment area are offered places. Applicants in this category are prioritised if they have a sibling at the school. They are then ranked by distance from the school;
5. Last, applicants who achieve the qualifying score are offered places. Applicants in this category will be ranked by test score. Where scores are equal, priority is given if an applicant has a sibling at the school; then ranked by distance from the school.

*Children who have been in, or previously have been in, the state care of local authorities.

**Children who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the 6 years prior to the closing date of registration

***a mark of overachievement in the Entrance Test, inducing entry priority on the child who achieves this mark or above.

A more detailed explanation of the admissions criteria and catchment area is contained in Five Ways’ admission policy, see https://publitas.com/king-edward-vi-five-ways-schoo/ke-five-ways-2023-admissions-policy/page/2-3