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Introduction
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, commonly known as BVGS, is an esteemed historic educational institution in Sutton Coldfield. It was established in 1527 by John Harman, a native of Sutton Coldfield, who served as the Bishop of Exeter between 1519-1551 and again in 1553-1554. Harman played a significant role as an advisor to King Henry VIII and as a confidant to Cardinal Wolsey.
BVGS provides an extensive and well-rounded curriculum designed to stimulate and engage students while laying solid groundwork for their future educational and professional endeavours. Adhering to the national curriculum, the school encompasses a diverse set of subjects, such as science, English, mathematics, humanities, and modern foreign languages, among others.
At Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, pupils can participate in numerous clubs and societies, in addition to a wide range of sports, music, and drama activities. Examples of these clubs and societies include board games, chess clubs, and, in collaboration with the Development Office, activities that assist local charities and help the school establish partnerships with the community.
Athletics holds considerable prestige at the school. Beyond the role of physical education within the study programme, students can engage in various extracurricular sports activities. Primary sports include rugby, hockey, cross-country, rowing, and netball. In contrast, the summer term focuses on cricket, athletics, rowing, and tennis.
The school emphasises several core principles that create a nurturing environment for pupils. Students are offered enrichment opportunities that cultivate leadership, self-reliance, and resilience. BVGS takes pride in being a welcoming, open-minded community that embraces diversity and equality while actively opposing discrimination.
In recent years, Bishop Vesey’s GCSE performance has seen improvement, with 75% of all grades reaching Grade 7 or higher, showcasing outstanding progress in student achievement.
BVGS has consistently maintained high performance in A-levels over the past decade. Recently, 86% of the grades achieved were A*-B, with approximately 70% of students continuing their studies at Russell Group universities. In addition, the school boasts a remarkable track record of success in Oxbridge and Ivy League placements.
For a deeper look into the educational experience at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar, check out this promotional video:
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2025
Address: Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2NH
County: Birmingham
Admissions info: 0121 250 5400, admissions@birmingham.gov.uk
School type: Boys’ Grammar
Number of pupils: 945 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 125
Open Day dates: July and September
Exam date: September 2025
Pass mark: Aim for 80-85%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: West Midlands Partnership (GL Assessment)
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Bishop Vesey’s is part of the West Midlands Grammar School Consortium and follows a set admission criteria which is based on pupils’ academic performance in the entrance exam and only boys who attain the required standard will be considered for entry.
The consortium arrangements require that students are selected for admission based on their combined, age-standardised score in the 11 Plus exam. In order to be eligible for admission, pupils need to attain the minimum ‘qualifying score’ in the exam. However, attainment of the qualifying score doesn’t guarantee students a place at the school.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School no longer offers boarding and pupils are admitted purely on the basis of their 11 Plus test results. All candidates who achieve the qualifying minimum score are then ranked in order with priority given to students who fall within the following criteria:
- Looked after children, or children who have previously been classified so.
- Those who live closest to the school.
- Students who are registered for Pupil Premium and are registered for free school meals.
Parents can also opt for their child to sit an additional entry test, the scores of which, may be used in appeals cases. More information about the admission policy of Bishop Vesey’s can be found on the school website. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
In order to apply for admission to the school in Year 7, parents need to register their child by completing the online application form, which can be accessed here. A Change of School application form also needs to be completed and can be obtained by contacting the school directly on 0121 250 5400, or by emailing admissions@birmingham.gov.uk. Additionally, a Test Registration form and a Local Authority Preference form needs to be completed and returned to the school.
In order to complete the full application, parents also need to provide a recent passport sized-photograph of their child, which can be emailed alongside the required forms.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Catchment Area
Does Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School have a catchment area?
No, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School does not have a catchment area.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The Bishop Vesey’s 11 Plus exam consists of two test papers, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. The papers are separated into individually timed sections that cover:
- English Comprehension
- Verbal Reasoning
- Mathematics
- Non-Verbal + Spatial Reasoning
The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics.
The English Comprehension paper examines comprehension skills, including inference. There will be no writing component.
The Verbal Reasoning section of the exam assesses logical thinking, use of English language and vocabulary.
The maths paper measures problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills, including questions on number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics.
The exam will also cover Non-Verbal Reasoning or Spatial Reasoning, both testing logic and intelligence.
Each subject is tested in both papers. All questions will be multiple choice and scores are age-standardised to ensure that no students have an advantage based on their age.
How to Prepare for the Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
The sooner your child starts preparing for the 11 Plus exam, the more time they’ll have to hone their skills. In addition to knowing the material, it’s important that they have the exam skills they’ll need on the day.
At Exam Papers Plus, we believe that using practice exam papers in addition to a study schedule can really help your child improve their chances of doing well. By introducing exam practice papers early, you’ll be able to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. You can then adjust their study schedule accordingly.
Not only do practice papers help familiarise your child with the exam format, but they help them get used to the type of questions that they may be asked on the day.
As the exam approaches, it’s a good idea to encourage your child to do timed practice papers so they get used to answering the questions under pressure. The more timed papers they do, the more their time management skills will improve.
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
The school’s qualifying score for admission is 205. This is the minimum standardised score that makes applicants eligible for a place. Pupils who are able to score 80-85%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the Bishop Vesey’s Grammar 11 Plus exam.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Bishop Vesey’s Grammar 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Bishop Vesey’s 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
The resources listed below are specifically designed to help students prepare for the 11+ Exam at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. They cover every aspect of the exam, which is created by GL Assessment.
All question types that could come up in the actual exam are addressed across English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
Most of the products below also come with detailed video tutorials to accompany every question. These allow your child to quickly learn from their mistakes and understand the most effective techniques to approach any question that could come up in their exam.
The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the West Midlands 11+ Exam, used by Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School for Year 7 entry. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Practice Papers
The packs below will introduce your child to all the key question types used in GL Assessment 11+ English exams, such as the Bishop Vesey’s assessment. The timings and types of passages used are typical of what you can expect in the actual exam.
The packs below will introduce your child to all the key question types used in the Bishop Vesey’s 11+ Verbal Reasoning exam sections, using the correct timings and pitched at just the right difficulty level. Each pack comes with free, detailed video explanations for every question to help your child learn and improve quickly.
Practice Papers
This set of tutorial videos provides a great overview of the 11+ Verbal Reasoning syllabus, teaching your child the key skills they need to master.
Video Masterclasses
The packs below will introduce your child to all the key question types used in the Bishop Vesey’s 11+ Mathematics exam sections, using the correct timings and pitched at just the right difficulty level. Each pack comes with free, detailed video explanations for every question to help your child learn and improve quickly.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
The packs below will expose your child to all the key question types used in the Bishop Vesey’s 11+ Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning exam sections, using the correct timings and pitched at just the right difficulty level.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.
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Author(s)
Louise Lang
Director of Learning
