King Edward VI Aston School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar school in Birmingham, King Edward VI Aston School pairs an Ofsted rating of Outstanding across every category with a notably diverse intake. Around a quarter of pupils are eligible for free school meals and one in five speaks English as an additional language, showing that high academic achievement here is reached by boys from a wide range of backgrounds. With 995 pupils against a capacity of 1,000, the school is full, and competition for its 140 places each year is keen. It is part of the West Midlands Grammar School Consortium, with entry assessed at 11.
How hard is it to get in?
Competitive · 2 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand exceeds the 140 Year 7 places in most years, though less sharply than at the most oversubscribed schools.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
71.2
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
97%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 10 May 2022
Teaching & academics
Results are exceptional. The school's Attainment 8 score of 71.2 sits far above the national average of 46.9, and 97% of pupils gain grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against a national figure of 47%. Ofsted judged the quality of education and the sixth form both Outstanding. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of 18.6 is typical for a school of this size.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 12.36%
- EHC plans
- 0.3%
- English as additional language
- 21.2%
- Free school meals
- 23.5%
Schools nearby
King Edward VI Handsworth School
Birmingham, West Midlands
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Birmingham, West Midlands
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
Birmingham, West Midlands
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
Birmingham, West Midlands
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
Outstanding in every Ofsted category and academically formidable, Aston shows that a diverse, inclusive intake and elite results can go hand in hand.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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King Edward VI Aston School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.