BVGS Prospectus

Inspirationand Excellence

Our mission is inspiration and excellence. We want all our learners, irrespective of background, to be scholars, well equipped for life beyond school, with a deep knowledge, understanding and life-long enthusiasm for the subjects they are studying. Through our curricular and extracurricular provision, we want to develop students of excellent character, responsible global citizens, who will make the world a better place through their kindness, thoughtfulness, confidence and resilience.

Academic Excellence

Our academic prowess is renowned: the annual Sunday Times Parent Power League Tables for secondary schools’ shows for the last decade that we are the best performing state school for boys with a co-educational Sixth Form in Birmingham and Walsall.

We are ranked, with the nation’s very best, in the top 50 of the best 500 state secondary schools in the country. We have an outstanding record of preparing students to apply for the best universities all over the world: Oxford, Princeton and Cambridge to name just a few, as well as the prestigious Russell Group universities in the UK.

Our curriculum is ambitious and exciting, with an excellent blend of traditional and modern. All our students follow the Ebacc. From Year 7, all students study separate sciences and take two of the following three languages: French, Mandarin (this is part of the prestigious Mandarin Excellence Programme run by UCL London and the IOE) and Spanish. Every student learns a musical instrument in Year 7.

is of a consistently high quality. Many teachers communicate a passion for their subject, inspiring their students to want to learn more. Teachers place a strong focus on ensuring that students know how to improve and what they need to do attain the highest grades."

"Teaching

Mr Dominic Robson, Headteacher

Our Curriculum

Year 7 and 8

All students follow a broad and balanced programme of:

Art

Design Technology

Food Technology

Computing

English

French

Geography

History

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Mandarin

Mathematics

Music

PE/Games

Spanish

PSHE/Citizenship/Careers

Religious Education

Students study two of three languages (French, Mandarin, Spanish)

Year 9

As above, students begin their GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students do a one-year course in Economics.

Year 10 and 11

All students complete the English Baccalaureate, following full GCSE courses in:

English Language

English Literature

Mathematics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

A Modern Foreign Language

A Humanity (History or Geography)

In addition, students choose 2 further GCSEs from the following:

A second Modern Foreign Language

Art

Economics

Computing

Design Technology

A second Humanity

Music

Food Technology

Students also study Careers, Citizenship, Games/PE, Religious Education, PSHE (including Sex and Relationships Education).

Sixth Form

We will be offering the following 19 ‘A’ Levels. (Please note that there are inevitably some timetabling constraints, so not all combinations of subjects are possible, but we do our best to satisfy the vast majority of individual needs).

Art and Design

Biology

Chemistry

Computing

Design Technology

Economics

English Literature

French

Further Mathematics

Geography

History

Mandarin

Mathematics

Music

Physical Education

Physics

Psychology

Religious Studies

Spanish

All students have PSHE/Citizenship lessons. They can also take an EPQ.

All students Y7-12 have an additional period Week 2 on Thursdays for CoCurricular provision. This includes options such as Astrophysics, Latin, Politics, Botany and Engineering

Student Leadership

Involving students in the running of the school and its activities is central to our aim to empower and share responsibility. Increased opportunities exist from Year 7 all the way to Sixth Form with a variety of roles, such as House Captain, School Council member, Charity Officer, Mental Health rep or Eco rep.

The School Day

8:00 am

8.45 - 9.05 am

3.05-3.15 pm

Library and Dining Rooms opens

Registration/assembly/form period*

School ends 4.05 pm

Library closes After school

Extra-curricular activities. Week 2 Thursday p6 cocurricular period ends at 4.15pm for all students.

*On Tuesdays, every pupil has a weekly additional 30-minute form period. This is a taught PSHE lesson for all Years 11-13 pupils.

Our Community

Our student community is representative of the rich and diverse cultural heritages of Birmingham and beyond. All students are able to take full advantage of the opportunities available at BVGS:

We seek to promote interest and success in the academic, social, cultural and sporting activities of the school

We give support for and offer advice on any challenges encountered We actively encourage community spirit and social responsibility

"Students’ behaviour around school and in lessons is outstanding. Students show great enthusiasm for their studies and an eagerness to do well. They are polite, mature and articulate, showing respect for adults and each other. They value the school’s diverse and harmonious community."

"Bishop Vesey's Grammar School should be congratulated for their exceptional achievement. They have proved themselves to be leading the field in improving GCSE outcomes for their students"

Sue Williamson, Chief Executive, SSAT

Positive and Disciplined Learning Community

The school aims to establish a purposeful and efficient learning environment by:

Promoting outstanding behaviour and discipline

A school ethos of encouragement and rewards of academic and non-academic achievements including positive feedback, merits and certificates.

Promoting self-discipline

Ensuring fairness in the treatment of all

Encouraging consistency of response to both positive and negative behaviour

Providing a safe environment

Encouraging a positive relationship with parents and carers

A zero tolerance approach to bullying and prejudice of any kind

We pride ourselves on being a well-ordered and disciplined community which protects the safety and happiness of all our students.

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. Every year group has a Head of Year who fosters a positive team ethos for their students. In addition, there are Learning Mentors who are there to support students at each Key Stage.

As a school, we track student performance very carefully. The pastoral team are very alert and responsive to any dip in student performance or commitment.

Year 7 Admissions 2024

There are 192 places available in Year 7 and admission is by selective tests. The entry to selective schools in September 2024 is only for those children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013. The tests are held for places at one of the grammar schools within The Grammar Schools in Birmingham.

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School

King Edward VI Camp Hill School

King Edward VI Five Ways

King Edward VI Handsworth School

King Edward VI Aston School

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Handsworth Grammar School

https://www.birminghamgrammarschools.org/content/admissionstimetable

The Test

The entrance test for 2024 entry will be held on Saturday 16 September 2023. It is likely that two sessions will be held (AM and PM) and you should therefore plan to keep the whole of 16 September free from other commitments. If the test is held over two sessions, your child will be allocated to a session and you will receive confirmation of this in early September.

The test is provided by GL Assessment. Candidates will sit two papers, each approximately 60 minutes long (which includes time for instructions and example questions). Each test paper is divided into smaller individually timed sections that test English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning. There are no sections of writing within the test - all questions are multiple choice and children record their answers on a separate answer sheet. The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics. The scores for each section are standardised to take into account differences in age, meaning younger children are not disadvantaged compared to children in the same cohort who could be almost a year older. Familiarisation questions can be found here https://11plus.gl-assessment.co.uk/freematerials/ which show the style of questions to appear in the test and how answers must be recorded.

Allocation of Places

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School for students are admitted on the basis of their performance in the test. Applicants are ranked according to their test score and then priority given to:

Looked after children and previously looked after children who achieve a qualifying

score;

A limited number of children (38) registered for Pupil Premium (those who are/have been registered for free school meals or have received them at any point in the past six years) who achieve a qualifying score and then;

Those who live nearest to the school (only where test scores are equal)

For full details on the admissions criteria for each of the eight grammar schools in Birmingham, please visit the school website or Birmingham Local Authority website. If you have any additional queries, please contact the school. Specific queries about the entrance tests however should be directed to ‘The Grammar Schools in Birmingham’ on telephone number 0121 415 6004.

Extra Curricular

We offer students far more than an advanced and developed curriculum. We believe strongly in the importance of extra-curricular activities. Every enrichment opportunity builds those important 'soft skills' which boost future employability: leadership, independence and resilience.

Our vibrant house system offers a superb array of competitive events, led by students, featuring debating, swimming, badminton and a spelling bee to name just a few. Our students benefit from both inspirational sports coaching and excellent facilities: huge playing fields with space for 7 rugby pitches, cricket squares, 4 tennis and netball courts , our astro facility, purpose-built Music and Food Technology rooms and a STEM block.

Inspirational outdoor learning is offered through trips abroad and in the UK including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, sports tours, music tours and curriculum visits. The emphasis on all our extra-curricular provision is on students taking part, having fun, making friends, and learning skills which they can enjoy throughout their life.

Caring for the Community

Charity is a big part of life at BVGS and intersects with the house spirit: students embrace fundraising activities and reach out to local communities, including with our ‘Giving Tree’ which has been installed for three years running over the Christmas period in Sutton Town Centre. Last March, we were inspired as a school community to 'Walk for Ukraine', raising £11,000 for UNHCR.

Our older students help shape our school and mentor younger students. They assist with teacher selection processes and act as Student Learning Partners to support the development of outstanding teaching and learning. They are superb role models as students, mental health ambassadors or as community language, sport or music leaders.

Our Future is Bright

We look to the future with great optimism: we have exciting facilities development plans to further improve the infrastructure and curriculum. By 2025 we will have built a new Learning Resource Centre, including a new Sixth Form Centre and Library. More information can be found out here

Adventures

Every student has a number of compulsory entitlements during their school career to get involved in exciting outdoor learning. Whether it be a residential, or the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, we want to encourage all our boys to develop their practical skills and enjoy being connected to nature. We also wants every KS3 pupil to experience a trip abroad as part of their global citizenship education.

Musical Magic

Students have the opportunity to partake in instrumental tuition from our vast array of visiting specialist teachers in woodwind, brass, percussion, strings, voice and keyboard. The Music Department also runs a number of ensembles for students who perform at school concerts. The principal aim of these groups is to consolidate the work of our visiting staff and prepare students for public performances. There are plenty of opportunities for students to showcase their musical talents in assemblies, termly Busking Weeks, our six annual concerts, and on exciting Music Tours to various locations in Europe.

Inter-School Fixtures

There are a large number of fixtures organised at all age levels in the major sports of rugby, hockey, basketball, cross-country, athletics and cricket. We have an amazing fixture list featuring some of the top public schools in the country such as Shrewsbury, Warwick and Repton as well as local state schools. Some of these fixtures take place on Games afternoons but the majority take place on Saturdays or Sundays or at other times outside school hours. Chess, debating, badminton, golf and tennis matches and competitions are also available to students on a regular basis.

All The World's a Stage

At BVGS, there are plenty of opportunities to perform. We hold competitions such as House Music, House Drama and Debating competitions. We debate at a local and national level from the Sutton Schools Debating Competition to the Rotary’s Youth Speaks, from the English Speaking Union Mace to the Oxford and Cambridge University School Debating Competition.

Drama also flourishes here. In July 2019, students put on the play, ‘Jabberwocky. In 2020, we performed 'Teechers’. In 2021, 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' in the open air. 2022 saw us put on three junior productions, including Alan Ayckbourn’s 'Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations'. In 2023, we performed 'Animal Farm' across two nights to a thriving audience. We believe all students have an entitlement to perform. Students also get the opportunity to study LAMDA and take LAMDA exams. Results in LAMDA examinations are outstanding.

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is a very special place. We look forward to meeting you.