Thousands of practice questions and up to 6 mock papers, all in the exact King Edward VI Aston School 11+ format, on one simple plan. It starts with a free diagnostic.
Thousands of practice questions and up to 6 mock papers, all in the exact King Edward VI Aston School 11+ format, on one simple plan. It starts with a free diagnostic.
For an able boy who would do better in a friendly, grounded school than a fierce one, King Edward VI Aston is worth knowing about. The Good Schools Guide describes it warmly as an unpretentious inner-city grammar that has always reflected the changing community around it, and visitors are often surprised at how kind the place feels for a selective school. It is part of the long-standing King Edward VI Foundation and was founded in 1883. Of the Foundation's schools it is the only one still standing on its original Aston site, the same buildings, much added to, that boys have walked into for more than 140 years. With around 960 pupils it is on the smaller side for a grammar, which is part of why it feels close-knit.
What the Guide keeps returning to is the tone. Strong leadership and a culture of kindness stand out, behaviour is described as exemplary, and there is real mutual respect across a diverse intake. Boys are encouraged to be proud of what they achieve while staying modest and warm towards each other. There is more going on outside lessons than you might expect for a school this size, and as a specialist sports college it puts a good deal behind games, with rugby and cricket alongside a strong music programme and plenty else to try.
This suits an academically able boy who wants to be pushed hard on his work without losing the warmth around him. The school is led by headteacher Mr Matt Brady, and the boys who do best here are the ones who get stuck in and look out for one another.
Yes
Does King Edward VI Aston School have a catchment area?
Yes, they do. For King Edward VI Aston School, priority catchment area is defined by home addresses that are within the following electoral wards:
Birmingham: Alum Rock, Aston, Bromford & Hodge Hill, Castle Vale, Erdington, Garretts Green, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross, Gravelly Hill, Heartlands, Nechells, Perry Common, Pype Hayes, Shard End, Sheldon, Stockland Green, Sutton Four Oaks, Sutton Mere Green, Sutton Reddicap, Sutton Roughley, Sutton Trinity, Sutton Vesey, Sutton Walmley & Minworth, Sutton Wylde Green, Ward End, Yardley East, Yardley West & Stechford
Solihull: Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst & Fordbridge, Smith’s Wood.
King Edward VI Aston School uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entrance exam.
No, King Edward VI Aston School does not include an interview stage as part of its 11+ entrance exam.
King Edward VI Aston School is a single-sex grammar school for boys.
The official website for King Edward VI Aston School is https://www.keaston.bham.sch.uk/.
Yes, King Edward VI Aston School has a priority catchment area covering specific electoral wards in Birmingham and Solihull.
Your son first needs to reach the required standard in the King Edward VI Foundation entrance test, which covers verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning. Places are then offered in priority order: looked-after and previously looked-after boys first, then boys on Pupil Premium in catchment (up to a quarter of places, extending outside catchment if needed), then boys in catchment who reach the priority score, with siblings given preference, then all remaining boys by test score. A boy with an EHCP naming the school is admitted first. There's no fixed pass mark; it depends on demand each year.
If your son has a disability or specific need, you can request reasonable adjustments such as extra time. Complete the additional form by 12 June 2026 with medical evidence and information from his primary school; an independent panel then decides. The entrance test is run by the King Edward VI Foundation across its grammar schools, and the policy doesn't set out a separate procedure for a boy who is ill on the test day itself. If that happens, contact the Foundation's admissions department as early as you can.
