King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare learned his Latin here. Seven centuries later, boys still sit in the same medieval schoolroom where the Bard first encountered Ovid and Virgil. King Edward VI School combines the weight of extraordinary heritage with results that place it among the elite grammar schools in England. With 86.3% of GCSE grades at 9-7 and Ofsted's Outstanding rating in every category, this boys' grammar with co-educational sixth form attracts over four applications for every Year 7 place. The school ranked 69th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 2% of schools nationally. At A-level, results sit comfortably in the top 10% of sixth forms in England.

The heart of this school remains where it has beaten since 1482: the medieval Guildhall that rises above Chapel Lane in Stratford's town centre. The timber-framed building, completed in 1420, houses 'Big School' on its upper floor, the very room where Shakespeare sat between 1571 and 1578. Holes in the ground-floor walls still mark where travelling players mounted their temporary stages, performances the young Shakespeare would have witnessed.

This is not a school that trades on heritage alone. Bennet Carr has led as Headmaster since 2010, becoming a Farmington Institute scholar at Oxford in 2022. Under his leadership, the school became an academy in 2011 and admitted girls to the sixth form from 2013. Carr is the 48th head since the school's refoundation by Royal Charter in 1553, just days before the young king's death.

The atmosphere blends scholarly ambition with genuine community. Ofsted inspectors in 2021 described it as "a rich and vibrant community" where "pupils thrive." Behaviour is exemplary; courtesy, respect, and politeness characterise daily interactions. Staff know students individually, and students know they are expected to work hard.

The house system remains central to school identity. Four houses compete throughout the year, with winners earning a visit to Drayton Manor theme park. On Shakespeare's birthday, the entire school processes from Chapel Lane to Holy Trinity Church, laying flowers at the Bard's grave. These traditions connect current students to seven centuries of predecessors.

GCSE Results

Results place King Edward VI among the highest-performing schools in England. In 2024, 86.3% of grades reached 9-7, with 68.4% at the very top grades of 9-8. The school ranks 69th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 1st among schools in Stratford-upon-Avon. This places the school firmly in the elite tier, within the top 2% of all schools in England.

The Attainment 8 score of 81.7 far exceeds the England average. Progress 8 of +1.21 indicates students make exceptional progress from their starting points, a figure that ranks among the very best in the country. Students here achieve significantly more than their prior attainment would predict.

The EBacc is central to the curriculum. Some 75.6% of students achieve grade 5 or above across EBacc subjects, with an average EBacc points score of 7.85 against the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Results

At A-level, 67.2% of grades were A* or A, with 89.9% reaching A*-B. The school ranks 85th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably in the top 10% of sixth forms nationally.

Mathematics and the three sciences prove most popular at A-level, reflecting the strength of STEM teaching. Economics, psychology, drama, and design technology broaden the offering beyond traditional academic subjects.

The curriculum is ambitious and distinctive. Latin and Mandarin are introduced in Year 7, with French, German, and Spanish added from Year 8. This linguistic range is unusual for a state school and reflects the school's commitment to academic breadth.

Class sizes in Years 7 and 8 average 30 students, split into three groups. From Year 9, option subjects reduce to around 18 per class, allowing for more intensive teaching. Smaller examination set sizes than typical in state schools enable greater individual attention.

GCSE options include Greek, Latin, and computer science alongside the full range of academic subjects. Over 25 A-level subjects are available, including classical languages. The Extended Project Qualification is offered to sixth formers, as is Core Mathematics for students not continuing with full A-level Mathematics.

Teachers have expert subject knowledge. Ofsted found that "knowledgeable teachers know how to get the best from pupils and navigate potential pitfalls expertly." Students produce high-quality work, confidently articulating their knowledge across subjects. English, history, and classics prove particular strengths.

Just under 10% of students are on the learning support register, with conditions supported including autism, anxiety management, and additional needs. The school provides structured support within mainstream lessons.

The sixth form is a launchpad for elite universities. In 2024, 69% of the cohort progressed to university. Approximately three-quarters of university entrants secure places at Russell Group institutions.

The school's Oxbridge pipeline is exceptionally strong. The school ranks 30th in England for combined Oxbridge acceptances (FindMySchool ranking), and 10th specifically for Oxford. In the measurement period, 70 students applied to Oxbridge, with 26 receiving offers and 21 securing places. Oxford dominates, with 20 of those places at the university just 40 miles away.

Medical school applications are equally impressive. Twenty students secured places to study medicine in 2024. Popular destinations beyond Oxbridge include Bristol, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Durham. Imperial College London, Edinburgh, and Exeter also feature prominently.

Very few students leave after GCSEs. Around 5% transition elsewhere, with the vast majority progressing into the sixth form.

Year 7 Entry

Entry is selective. Boys must pass the 11-plus examination administered through the West Midlands Grammar School Partnership. The test, set by GL Assessment, comprises two multiple-choice papers assessing English, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal reasoning.

Registration opens in early May through Warwickshire County Council's portal and closes in late June. The examination takes place in September, with results released by mid-October. The Common Application Form must be submitted to the local authority by 31 October.

Competition is fierce. In the most recent cycle, 345 boys applied for 84 places, a ratio of over 4:1. The school operates priority circles based on distance from the Fountain in Rother Street. The inner circle extends to 13 miles; up to 70 places are allocated to qualifying applicants within this radius. An outer circle extends to 16.885 miles at the county boundary.

Looked-after children and those eligible for pupil premium who score within 20 marks of the automatic qualifying score receive priority consideration.

Sixth Form Entry

The co-educational sixth form welcomes external applicants. Entry is based on the applicant's best eight GCSE results, with a minimum requirement of 54 points. Applications for September 2026 entry close at noon on Friday 9 January 2026.

Girls joining the sixth form integrate fully into academic life. Since co-education began in 2013, the proportion of A*-B grades at A-level has risen steadily, reaching 88.2% by 2020.

The school creates a culture where students feel valued and supported. Ofsted found that "pupils thrive at this school" and rated Personal Development as Outstanding.

The house system provides smaller communities within the whole. House tutors track academic progress and personal wellbeing. The expectation of mutual respect runs deep; students describe looking out for younger peers as normal behaviour.

Safeguarding is effective. Leadership maintains robust procedures. The school's commitment to student welfare extends to the Elite Sports Performers Programme, which supports over 50 students balancing rigorous training schedules with academic demands.

Theatre and Drama

Edward's Boys is an all-boys theatre company with a distinctive niche: staging early modern plays in the style of Shakespeare’s original boy companies. The group has toured to Oxford, London, and Genoa, performing at the invitation of international academic societies. In 2019, they staged John Redford's 'Wit and Science', a rare example of a Tudor school play, in the Levi Fox Hall.

This theatrical tradition connects directly to the school's heritage. The Guildhall's ground floor served as Stratford's only theatre space in Shakespeare's childhood. Current students perform where the Bard first encountered live drama.

Drama club runs alongside more formal theatrical productions. The annual school calendar includes multiple productions showcasing student talent.

Music

Music is heralded as a particular strength. Over 350 individual music lessons take place weekly. A distinctive Year 7 music scheme offers incoming students 'buy one get one free' tuition, providing an additional term of instrumental instruction free of charge.

The Indian Music Society reflects the school's diverse musical interests. Jazz ensemble, orchestral groups, and smaller ensembles provide performance opportunities at all levels.

STEM

The school's STEM provision is extensive. A Chemistry Club run by sixth formers provides extension opportunities for younger students. Robotics and coding clubs cater to technologically minded students.

The KES Esports team, known as the Scorpions and founded in 2017, has achieved remarkable success. In 2019, they won the National Esports Tournament in Overwatch, defeating 3,500 secondary schools to claim the title.

Clubs and Societies

Around 60 lunchtime activities run throughout the term. Almost all students attend or help run at least one club. The range spans from jazz to astronomy and debating to robotics.

Table tennis, Indian music, chemistry extension, and drama represent just a sample. The expectation is participation rather than spectatorship.

Sport

Six performance sports anchor the programme: rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, athletics, and rowing. Facilities include a state-of-the-art all-weather pitch, an outstanding cricket square with five wickets including two hybrid surfaces, and a purpose-built athletics track.

The Levi Fox Hall provides a home for fencing, where the school has historically fielded entire England Under-16 and Under-18 sabre teams. The Cave houses specialist strength and conditioning equipment following RFU guidelines.

Rowing benefits from the school's five-minute walk to Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club. Ball Cup Regatta victories, including in 2025, demonstrate the programme's competitive success.

International tours are integral. Rugby squads travel to Canada and Japan, with Argentina and Uruguay planned. Cricket teams tour Sri Lanka. Netball visits Dubai every two years. Year 9 rugby and hockey squads travel annually to Wales.

Roughly two in three pupils (up to Year 11) regularly compete in school fixtures. This balance of mass participation with elite pathways defines the sports programme.

Alumni achievement in sport is considerable. James Roe won Paralympic gold at London 2012 and two World Championship titles in rowing before his appointment as MBE. Esme Booth claimed Olympic silver at Paris 2024. James Hayter played rugby for Harlequins and the Llanelli Scarlets.

The school day runs from morning registration until mid-afternoon. Sixth formers have some flexibility around independent study periods.

Stratford-upon-Avon is well connected by road and rail. The school sits in the town centre, a five-minute walk from Shakespeare's Birthplace. Parking is limited in Chapel Lane. Many students travel by bus from across Warwickshire and beyond.

Open events typically run in autumn for prospective Year 7 families. The sixth form open evening takes place in November for Year 11 students considering external entry. Contact the school directly for specific dates.

Intense competition for places. With over four applications for every Year 7 place, securing entry requires passing the 11-plus at a high standard. The tutoring industry has built substantial business around preparation for this examination. Families should prepare for emotional stakes; rejection after extensive preparation is difficult.

Boys only until sixth form. The main school remains single-sex. Girls join only at age 16. Families wanting co-education throughout secondary should look elsewhere.

Academic intensity. The curriculum is demanding. The pace moves quickly, expectations are high, and peer competition is inherent when everyone was top of their primary class. Students who thrive here genuinely enjoy academic challenge.

Geographic reach creates travel time. The priority circles extend to nearly 17 miles. Some students face substantial daily journeys. Weigh commuting time against educational benefit.

Seven centuries of history culminate in a grammar school firing on all cylinders. Academic results in the top 2% in England, an Oxbridge pipeline ranked 10th nationally for Oxford admissions, and Outstanding ratings across every Ofsted category demonstrate genuine excellence. Shakespeare's classroom endures as living educational space rather than museum exhibit.

Best suited to academically able boys who relish rigorous learning, who will engage with both the formal curriculum and the extraordinary extracurricular breadth. The sixth form opens opportunities to girls seeking an elite academic environment for A-levels. For those who secure entry through the competitive 11-plus or sixth form admissions, the educational experience rivals the best independent schools in England, with no fees attached.

The challenge lies in admission rather than what follows.