Queen Mary’s High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 150
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Queen Mary’s High School
Queen Mary’s High School (QMHS) is a selective girls’ grammar school located in Walsall, West Midlands. As part of the Mercian Trust, it has built a strong reputation for academic excellence, exceptional pastoral support, and a modern, inclusive approach to education.
Founded in 1893, the school combines a proud heritage with innovative teaching that encourages intellectual curiosity and personal growth. Its ambitious curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, with consistently strong results in English, maths, and the sciences. Pupils are supported to reach their full potential through high expectations and engaging lessons.
Beyond academics, Queen Mary’s High School promotes confidence, independence, and leadership. Students benefit from a wide range of extracurricular clubs, enrichment opportunities, and community activities that help them develop key skills for the future. The school is highly sought after, with Year 7 places offered based on performance in the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 Plus entrance exam.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Queen Mary’s High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Queen Mary’s High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Queen Mary’s High School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Queen Mary’s High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Queen Mary’s High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Queen Mary’s High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Queen Mary’s High School School Information
The key information regarding the address of the school, the contact information, parking arrangements, and key information regarding the school.
School Address
Full Address:
Queen Mary’s High School, Upper Forster StreetWalsall
West Midlands
WS4 2AE
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is limited parking within the school, and there is on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
- There is a car park on Lower Rushall St, WS1 2AA, which is 0.4 miles away from the school.
- There is a car park on Whittimere St, WS1 1SL, which is 0.5 miles away from the school.
Queen Mary’s High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding in all areas. Pupils excel academically in a supportive, high-achieving environment.
Academic strength: The curriculum is ambitious and engaging. Teachers use expert knowledge to inspire and challenge pupils.
Teaching and curriculum: Behaviour is excellent. Pupils are respectful, motivated, and proud of their school.
Behaviour and culture: Enrichment is exceptional, with diverse clubs, music, and leadership opportunities for all pupils.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is strong and forward-looking. Staff feel supported, and safeguarding is robust and effective.
Queen Mary’s High School Exam Format
Queen Mary’s High School is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium, so applicants take the shared 11 Plus entrance exam used by all member schools.
The West Midlands 11 Plus Test: Overview
The entrance test includes two multiple-choice papers, each lasting around 50 to 60 minutes. Answers are recorded on separate sheets, and scores are age-standardised for fairness. The papers assess English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning and results are weighted as follows: 50% English/Verbal Reasoning, 25% Non-Verbal Reasoning, and 25% Mathematics.
Paper One
A multiple-choice exam that assesses all four key areas – English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal or spatial reasoning.
Paper Two
A multiple-choice exam that assesses all four key areas – English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal or spatial reasoning.
CEM 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Mathematics | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no fixed pass mark for entry. Places are offered in rank order of standardised scores, following the school’s official admissions criteria.
Catchment Area
The school does not operate a formal catchment area. Places are allocated based on test results and priority criteria, and applications are welcomed from a wide geographical region.
Additional Eligibility
Achieving the required academic standard in the entrance exam is essential. When there are more qualifying applicants than places available, Queen Mary’s High School applies the following priority order:
-
Children who are or have been in local authority care and achieve the qualifying score
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Children eligible for Pupil Premium who meet the qualifying score
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All other applicants who achieve the qualifying standard, ranked by test performance
Click here to view thew full Queen Mary’s High School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Queen Mary’s High School
Preparation for the 11 Plus exam should focus on accuracy, speed and confidence across four subject areas. Here are some effective strategies:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Queen Mary’s High School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Queen Mary’s High School Key Dates and Application Information
Here can be found the key events regarding the admission to Queen Mary’s High School, and documents to aid in this process and provide additional information.
Registration Opens
Deadline for Access Arrangements
Registration Closes
Entrance Test Dates
Results Released
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Queen Mary’s High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Queen Mary’s High School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Queen Mary’s High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
You must register through the West Midlands Grammar Schools portal. Registration opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and closes at 4:00pm on Friday 27th June 2025. Requests for access arrangements must be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday 13th June 2025.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Queen Mary’s High School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed - failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Queen Mary’s High School FAQs
To apply for Year 7, you must register your child for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 Plus exam and complete your local authority’s secondary school application form before the stated deadline.
The 11 Plus exam, set by GL Assessment, includes two multiple-choice papers lasting about 50–60 minutes each. It tests English comprehension, verbal reasoning, maths, and non-verbal or spatial reasoning skills.
Entry is very competitive, with more applicants than available places each year. Offers are made in rank order of standardised 11 Plus scores, following the school’s published admissions priorities.
Queen Mary’s High School does not have a formal catchment area. Applications are considered from across a wide region, with places awarded based on entrance exam performance and priority criteria.