My Daughter Is Currently In Year 6 - How Do I Go About Securing A Place For Her At Sutton Coldfield Grammar School For Girls?

Firstly you should apply to the LEA for your daughter to sit the annual selection test for the school. You need to fill in two application forms - one for this school and one for the LEA preferences.

Where Do I Get Application Forms From?

If your daughter attends a Birmingham LEA Primary School , her school should receive a supply of application forms. If she does not, or you live in one of the surrounding districts, you should request an application form from the LEA Admissions and Appeals Department, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BU on 0121 675 0555. Forms are not normally available until the second half of the Summer Term and must be returned at the start of the Autumn Term.

Remember, you need to fill in two forms:

The application form for the annual selection test - relevant only to Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls and Bishop Vesey's Grammar School for Boys.
Fill in the LEA form, registering 6 choices, in order of preference.
Both forms should be returned to the LEA by Friday 26th September 2008 by 1615hrs. You should not send forms to the school.

What Is Being Tested For The Selection Process? What Do The Tests Involve?

There are three tests; Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics. Please note that past papers are not available. Coaching for the test is believed to be counter-productive, as over-achievement in the tests may be against the long term interests of children whose ability may be more limited than their test score would suggest.

How Long Does The Selection Process Take?

Selection testing takes place in October each year. The LEA administers the test using several venues across the city - Sutton Girls is usually one of those centres. After testing, the LEA makes arrangements for marking and standardisation. The results are usually published in February. Offers are made by letter, based on the best overall test scores of girls with qualifying scores. A waiting list then operates until all 150 places are filled.

Does my home address affect my chance of a place?

No. Entry criteria is based only upon academic ability.

My Daughter Is Already At A Secondary School, But We Are Moving Into The Birmingham Area Shortly - How Do I Go About Applying For A Transfer To Sutton Coldfield Grammar School For Girls?

If you were not living in the Birmingham area when your daughter was in Y6 then you are eligible to apply for transfer, but vacancies are rare. If there is a vacancy then your daughter will be required to sit a selection test which consists of 3 x 1hr papers in English, French (or Spanish) and Mathematics.

Please note : Any pupil living in the Birmingham area at the time of the tests i.e when your daughter was in Year 6 of Primary School, who chose not to sit the test or who sat the test and was unsuccessful in securing a place, is not eligible to request transfer into Years 7-11.

But Can My Daughter Apply To Join The Sixth Form?

Yes, admission to the sixth form is only based on results in GCSE examinations and success at interview. It is not affected by an application at the age of 11 nor by home address. Application forms for the Sixth form are available During the second half of the Autumn Term. Applicants are asked to fill in their predicted GCSE grades and are then short listed for interview on the basis of their application forms. Offers are made subject to the gaining of 6 GCSE's, minimum Grade 'B'. 'A' grades are expected in the subjects to be studied at A level.

Does The School Have An Open Evening?

An information booklet for parents called 'Entry to Bishop Vesey's Grammar School or Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls' is provided with application forms and gives further details.