A selective boys grammar school in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 869 pupils on roll.
King Edward VI School
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At a glance
King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon is a state-funded selective boys' grammar school with a co-educational sixth form. Known to have existed from 1295 and re-founded by a charter of King Edward VI, it has a stronger historical identity than most grammar schools in the region. Today it educates about 869 pupils from 11 to 18 on Chapel Lane.
The academic offer is deliberately broad. KES describes the twin aims of its curriculum as high academic attainment and the development of widely educated, confident and responsible young people. The English Baccalaureate sits at the heart of the curriculum, and the school links academic challenge with smaller examination sets, A-level progression and preparation for university degrees or degree-level apprenticeships.
The co-curricular programme is a major part of the school's public identity. KES points to field trips, exchanges, lectures, competitions and work-related learning, alongside a house system, sport, music, drama, clubs and societies. The extra-curricular page is especially clear that education extends beyond the classroom, with regular concerts, drama productions, a major sporting fixtures programme and specialist coaching.
Admission to Year 7 is for 87 places. Warwickshire administers the 11+ process, with two papers of about 60 minutes each and results issued before secondary preferences are considered. The admissions framework uses inner and outer priority circles, looked-after and Pupil Premium priority routes, and an annually set automatic qualifying score. Published measures show Ofsted Outstanding, +1.21 Progress 8, 100% grade 5+ in English and maths and 53.8% AAB or better at A level.
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Warwickshire and England.
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Warwickshire and England.
Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Warwickshire and England.
January 2025 school census
Whole-school roll of 869 pupils; 800 had a recorded ethnic group.
| Recorded group | Share | Category | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| White British | 49.9% | White | 434 |
| Indian | 18.6% | Asian | 162 |
| Any other mixed background | 8.7% | Mixed | 76 |
| Unclassified | 7.9% | Unclassified | 69 |
| Any other White background | 4.1% | White | 36 |
| Pakistani | 2.8% | Asian | 24 |
| White and Asian | 2.3% | Mixed | 20 |
| Any other ethnic group | 1.5% | Other | 13 |
| Chinese | 1% | Asian | 9 |
| Any other Asian background | 0.9% | Asian | 8 |
| White and Black African | 0.9% | Mixed | 8 |
| African | 0.3% | Black | 3 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.3% | Asian | 3 |
| Irish | 0.3% | White | 3 |
| Any other Black background | 0.1% | Black | 1 |
For 2027 entry there are 87 Year 7 places. Warwickshire administers the 11+ process on the admissions authority route, with inner and outer priority circles plus an annually set automatic qualifying score.
An inner priority circle of 13 miles and an outer circle of 16.936 miles are measured from the Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Families may be asked for proof of address by 31 December 2026, and applicants outside the outer circle are ranked after priority-circle categories.
Children with an EHCP naming KES
Boys whose Education, Health and Care Plan names King Edward VI School are admitted first if they meet the required minimum academic standard.
Looked after and previously looked after boys
Looked after, previously looked after, and internationally adopted previously looked after boys who achieve the automatic qualifying score, or are up to 20 marks below it, are ranked next.
Pupil premium boys within the outer circle
Up to 13 places are reserved for pupil premium boys living within the outer priority circle who achieve the automatic qualifying score or are up to 20 marks below it.
Inner-circle qualifiers
Up to 70 places then go to the highest-scoring boys living within 13 miles of the Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Outer-circle qualifiers
Remaining boys living in the outer priority circle are then ranked by score.
Boys outside the outer circle
Any remaining places go to boys outside the outer circle who meet the automatic qualifying score, ranked by score with the policy tie-breaks.
Applicants sit two papers of about 60 minutes each, including instructions. Answers are marked from a separate answer sheet, and results are issued before secondary preferences are considered.
Shared exam route
King Edward VI School uses the shared West Midlands route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.
View all West Midlands practice papersPaper 1
English, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Maths
Entrance test paper 1
One timed multiple-choice paper covering reasoning, English and mathematics question types.
Paper 2
English, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Maths
Entrance test paper 2
A second timed multiple-choice paper covering reasoning, English and mathematics question types.
English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.
Science is not listed in the current published format.
English
Maths
Verbal reasoning
One timed multiple-choice paper covering reasoning, English and mathematics question types.
Non-verbal reasoning
One timed multiple-choice paper covering reasoning, English and mathematics question types.
Science
Open morning
27 June 2026
11+ registration opens
7 May 2026
Past11+ registration closes
30 June 2026
Warwickshire's deadline is 11.59pm.
Test sessions
12 or 13 September 2026
Results issued
16 October 2026
CAF deadline
31 October 2026
Proof of address deadline
31 December 2026
National Offer Day
1 March 2027
Read the 2027 admissions policy
Check the KES policy for the inner and outer priority circles, the academic-standard rules, and the proof-of-address requirements.
Open admissions policyRegister for Warwickshire's 11+ test
Complete the Warwickshire 11+ registration between 7 May 2026 and 30 June 2026 so your child can be invited to the September test sessions.
Register for the 11+Submit your CAF and any address evidence
List KES on your home local authority Common Application Form by 31 October 2026 and provide proof of address by 31 December 2026 if Warwickshire requests it.
Check Warwickshire guidanceLatest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.
Recent trend
This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 82.5 | 74.2 | 49.4 |
| 2022/23 | 80.5 | 71.8 | 47.0 |
| 2023/24 | 81.7 | 72.1 | 46.7 |
| 2024/25 | 83.3 | 72.3 | 46.8 |
Recent trend
This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | A average (51.0 points) | 44.0 points | 37.5 points |
| 2022/23 | A average (49.0 points) | 40.5 points | 33.7 points |
| 2023/24 | A- average (48.1 points) | 41.3 points | 34.5 points |
| 2024/25 | A- average (46.4 points) | 41.8 points | 35.0 points |
Recent trend
This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 100% | 99.1% | 94.1% |
| 2022/23 | 99% | 98.9% | 93.9% |
| 2023/24 | 100% | 99.0% | 93.3% |
| 2024/25 | 100% | 98.7% | 91.8% |
Latest year breakdown
| In education | 100% |
|---|---|
| In apprenticeships | 0% |
| In employment | 0% |
Latest inspection: 1 December 2021
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Same Warwickshire area and similar boys' selective route
Same wider selective region and a similar admissions route
Same wider selective region and a similar admissions route
Same wider selective region and a similar admissions route
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
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Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Best Grammar Schools in Warwickshire
Compare 5 Warwickshire grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, West Midlands route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.
Best Boys' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best boys grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking parents can filter by county and Ofsted before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.
Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
King Edward VI School currently uses GL Assessment.
1. Read the 2027 admissions policy: Check the KES policy for the inner and outer priority circles, the academic-standard rules, and the proof-of-address requirements. 2. Register for Warwickshire's 11+ test: Complete the Warwickshire 11+ registration between 7 May 2026 and 30 June 2026 so your child can be invited to the September test sessions. 3. Submit your CAF and any address evidence: List KES on your home local authority Common Application Form by 31 October 2026 and provide proof of address by 31 December 2026 if Warwickshire requests it.
Open morning: 27 June 2026. 11+ registration opens: 7 May 2026. 11+ registration closes: 30 June 2026. Test sessions: 12 or 13 September 2026. Results issued: 16 October 2026. CAF deadline: 31 October 2026. Proof of address deadline: 31 December 2026. National Offer Day: 1 March 2027
King Edward VI School is currently rated Outstanding following the latest published inspection dated 1 December 2021.