Tips and advice
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the process for secondary school admissions in Birmingham. The state school application window opens in September each year, and runs until the end of October. You should apply while your child is in Year 6. You can find an overview of state school admissions on the Birmingham City Council website. Our independent schools have different application dates to our state schools – you can find out more about applying to our independent schools here.
Some of the Foundation’s schools require applicants to sit an entrance test in order to be considered for admission into Year 7. If you would like your child to be considered for a grammar school place, you will need to register for the grammar school test when your child is in Year 5. If you would like your child to be considered for an independent school place, you will need to register for the independent school test when your child is in Year 5 or at the very start of Year 6.
Years 7 – 11 (in-year admissions)
Year 7 (first term)
If a vacancy arises at any of the grammar schools during the first term of Year 7, the waiting list in existence from March of that year will be used and the place offered in accordance with the school’s admission criteria.
Mid Year 7 – 11
At any point from January after the pupil starts Year 7, parents may apply for a place at any of the grammar schools by contacting the school directly. In-year vacancies normally only become available if a current pupil is leaving the school. If a vacancy arises, applicants on the waiting list will be invited to take a test at the school.
