BISHOP VESEY ’ S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS
Inspiration and Excellence
Introduction
Dear Applicant,
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar school is a very special place. Since the 16th Century, we have provided an outstanding, academically challenging and well-rounded education for able students, irrespective of background, from Birmingham and across the Midlands. In our recent Ofsted Inspection in April 2024, the school and the sixth form provision was judged as outstanding with the inspectors commenting that “all pupils learn a rich, well-rounded and high-quality education which equips them to thrive in life.”
A high percentage of our students move on to prestigious Russell Group Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Our students benefit from expert classroom teaching and numerous academic societies such as STEM Society and Medical Minds . We have a wealth of experience in providing guidance for Post 16 options such as undergraduate degrees and degree apprenticeships, including support with applications, entrance examinations and interviews.
I am proud to head up a highly skilled Sixth Form Team who are passionate about developing the young people in our care. Pastoral care is outstanding. We have highly skilled and trained staff who can respond to the emotional needs of students during their A-Level studies. We strive to create an environment where students can fulfil their academic potential and develop the professional skills required for adult life.
This prospectus is designed to give you a flavour of life as a student in the Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Sixth Form. I hope that it gives you an insight into some of the many things our Sixth Form offers including the opportunities for student leadership, the outstanding extracurricular provision in Drama, Music and Sport and the wealth of opportunities available through our extensive cocurricular programme.
Thank you for your interest in our Sixth Form. I look forward to receiving your application.
Yours sincerely,
School Captain Insight
Meeting new people, forming new friends, learning subjects of greater breadth and depth: the Sixth Form at Bishop Vesey’s is an exciting place to be.
From joining one of our sports teams, completing your ‘Vesey Award’ or even learning a new language such as Catalan in our wide co-curricular programme, you can grow as a person through the two years, pushing yourself to try new things and learn about yourself in the process. When you join our school, you will notice the spirit of hard work and resilience, encouraging you to expand your horizons and take charge of your education. This is epitomised by our 44strong Officer Team that shape life at BVGS with school-wide events as well as our own initiative like a Sixth Form Buddy System and the Christmas charity initiative, the Giving Tree.
Our Sixth Form is a rich community of people from a variety of backgrounds, with diverse interests, personalities and aspirations for the future. United by a sense of mutual determination to achieve, all our students quickly integrate as a family of sorts – driven by a love of learning and a passion for success.
My favourite thing about Bishop Vesey’s is the well rounded support always given in Academics, Sports, Music and other interests. This support helps us to develop into well-rounded adults in the workplace - Gbemi
For me it is being able to engross myself in so many different extra-curricular activities alongside my fellow students and the friendships that this has created that will outlast our time here in the Sixth Form - Freddie
We hope that you make the decision to apply to our superb school, but regardless, we wish you the best of luck with your GCSEs and beyond!
Best wishes,
Freddie and Gbemi
Freddie School Captain Gbemi School Captain
Admissions Policy
Our 2025 Admission Policy is available on the Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School website. You should read the Sixth Form section carefully to understand the mechanism for admitting students in Year 12. Below are some of the important points:
Entrance to the Sixth Form is based upon a student’s ‘Best 8’ score across their highest GCSE results which must include English Language and Mathematics. Other qualifications such as BTEC and Level 3 Additional Mathematics are converted to an equivalent GCSE grade.
A minimum of 52 points is required for entry into the Sixth Form and at least a Grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics. A Best 8 score of at least 66 points is required to study four A Levels.
At least a Grade 7 in the most closely-related GCSE subject is required to study a subject at A Level. A Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics is require for A Level Further Mathematics.
We are admitting a minimum of 80 students to our Sixth Form in 2025.
Oversubscription Criteria
Priority is given to students who have studied at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School for their GCSEs.
Following this we will consider Looked After Children and then students who have been eligible for the Pupil Premium in Year 11.
Remaining applicants will be ranked according to their Best 8 score and offers will be made according to this order providing there is still space in a student’s chosen subjects.
The tiebreak criteria for those equal on Best 8 score are given in our Admissions Policy
What To Expect At BVGS
As well as helping students to achieve excellent grades in their A Level studies, we aim to develop scholarship and character in all our Sixth Formers:
Scholar
An intelligent and well-educated person
At BVGS, scholarship means more than working hard. It means having a thirst for knowledge and taking advantage of opportunities to further your understanding on a wide range of subjects
Character
1.The combination of mental characteristics and behaviour that distinguishes a person or group.
2.Moral strength; integrity
At BVGS, we value development of character as much as academic achievement. Kindness, thoughtfulness, confidence and resilience might not be prerequisites for university courses but they are attributes that will open doors and lead to a happy and fulfilling life.
Academic Curriculum
The following subject choices are available at A Level:
Art and Design
Biology
Chemistry
Computing
Design Technology
Economics
English Literature French Further Mathematics
Geography
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Spanish
It is also possible to study an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as part of our co-curricular provision.
A Level Results
Our excellent academic performance place us among some of the top state schools in the country for attainment.
Pastoral Care
Outstanding pastoral care is central to the success of our school. We believe that happy learners are successful people. Every student has a Form Tutor with whom they have daily contact.
Post-16 Support
We have a dedicated Careers Advisor to help students make the right career decisions for when they leave school. Support is provided for a number of pathways, whether it be a degree, a degree apprenticeship or moving on to employment.
With such a large Sixth Form we are experienced in supporting students with many aspects of the UCAS process, including writing a strong application, succeeding in entrance examinations and preparing for interviews. The variety of co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities available allows students to gain experiences and insight which will be invaluable for their Personal Statement.
Our Wednesday Games afternoon includes a wide range of sporting activities to reflect the varying interests and abilities of our students. Many of our students take part in competitive fixtures in rugby, cricket, hockey, cross country and netball, against other schools from across the Midlands and beyond. In addition, BVGS has a proud tradition in organising international sporting tours for our teams.
Music And Drama
We have an excellent reputation for Music and Drama. Many of our students are involved in orchestras, ensembles, choirs at the highest level across the Midlands. There are regular performance opportunities across the year. The Clive Richards Music Centre houses excellent rehearsal and performance spaces as well as teaching by a variety peripatetic musicians. The Music Department also facilitates performance opportunities at Birmingham Symphony Hall and European music tours for our students. Every year there is a school drama production and Sixth Form students often take leading roles.
Other Extracurricular Opportunities
There are a wealth of opportunities available outside the classroom including:
A co-curricular session attended by all students fortnightly on a Thursday afternoon. This includes activities such as Astrophysics, Formula 1 in Schools and Stock Market Challenge.
Student-led societies such as Medical Minds, AI Society and Law Society.
The opportunity to mentor younger students in subjects that you enjoyed lower down the school.
Award-winning outreach work with local primary schools in Art, English, Mathematics, PSHE and Sport
Charity and Business internships gaining experience in these fields
Duke of Edinburgh
Chess
… and many more!
There is also the chance for all students to work towards their Vesey Award during Year 12. This recognises and rewards individual participation in the cocurricular life. Those who complete the award are given certificate and full colours crest.
The leadership potential of our Sixth Formers is nurtured and encouraged with our students filling a multitude of roles. Students feel empowered and trusted to bring about positive change across the school. Leadership opportunities are performed through our House System, School Council, Charity Team or as Mental Health, Equality, Charity, Sport or Music Officers.
Leavers’ Destinations 2024
Oxbridge 7 Subjects Studying
Cambridge 5 Engineering, Maths, Natural Sciences, Human Social & Physical Science.
Oxford 2 PPE, Engineering.
Russell Group 114
Birmingham 12 Business, Economics, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Computer Science & Engineering, Accountancy, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Medicine, Mathematics.
Bristol 10 Engineering, Civil Engineering, Law, Politics, Aerospace Engineering, Psychology & Neuro Science, Liberal Arts, Economics & Politics
Cardiff 4 Economics, Human Geography, History, Law.
Durham 4 Geography, Mathematics, Psychology.
Edinburgh 1 Fine Art.
Exeter 2 Computer Science, Film
Imperial College London 4 Mathematics, Medicine.
Leeds 6 Criminology, Dentistry, Economics & History, History, Medicine, Psychology.
Liverpool 16 Accounting & Finance, Dental Surgery, Civil Engineering, Popular Music, Music, Sports Psychology, Physics, Medicine, Aerospace Engineering, Economics, Veterinary Science, Psychology, Maths & Spanish.
Manchester 9 Computer Science, Medicine, Politics & Modern History, Biomedical Sciences, Accounting & Finance, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, History.
Nottingham 29 Law, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, Civil Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Industrial Economics, Accountancy, Economics & Spanish, Computer Science, Architectural Environment, Philosophy, History, Ancient History, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Finance, Design Engineering.
Queen’s University Belfast 1 Dentistry.
Sheffield 3 Modern Languages & Culture, Law, Medicine.
University College London 3 Chemistry, Maths, Medicine.
Warwick 10 Mechanical Engineering, Accounting & Finance, Engineering, French & Russian, PPE, History, Computer Science & Engineering, Politics & International Studies.
Leavers’ Destinations 2024
Other Universities 40 Subjects Studying
Aberystwyth 2 Biology, Physical Engineering.
Aston 4 Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine
Bath 2 Economics, Physics.
Birmingham City 1 Pharmacy
East Anglia 1 Biomedical Sciences.
Harper & Keele 1 Veterinary Science.
Huddersfield 1 Computer Science.
Keele 1 Forensic Science.
Lancaster 1 Computer Science
Leeds Conservatoire 1
Leicester 3 Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, Law.
Lincoln 1 Medicine.
Liverpool Newman 1 Accounting & Finance.
Loughborough 4 Sport Science, Geography with Economics, Civil Engineering. Manchester Met 1 Mechanical Engineering.
Nottingham Trent 2 Civil Engineering, Law.
Plymouth 5 Optometry, Medicine, Sports & Exercise, Dental Surgery, Marine Biology.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire 1 Music Tech
Redding 1 Quantity Surveying.
Royal Holloway University 3 Economics & Management, Biomedical Sciences.
Southampton 1 Mechanical Engineering.
Suffolk 1 History.
Swansea 1 Sports & Exercise Science.
Apprenticeships/ Degree Apprenticeships 6
