Dear Parents/Carers The Vesey Difference - Leading in Learning There has never been a better time to join Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. We are an exciting learning community. Our teachers are innovative enthusiasts and warm, intelligent, caring communicators. We want to inspire all the young people in our care, by nurturing a spirit of enquiry and curiosity. We expect students to work hard at school and at home. However, they are well supported. They can find one-to-one help in the lunchtime or after school in every subject. This is not just for boys who are finding the work difficult. Help is equally at hand for students who need to be stretched further academically. Moreover, all students benefit from being part of the wider Vesey network, which provides excellent experiences of top universities and employers. The annual Sunday Times Parent Power League Tables for secondary schools shows for the last six years that we are the best performing state school for boys with a co-educational Sixth Form in Birmingham and Walsall, and continually improving. 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 UK’s top Russell Group universities. Our success is founded on our strong focus, right from when the boys join us in Year 7, on building even better learning habits and fostering a spirit of enquiry and curiosity. Our curriculum is exciting with an excellent blend of traditional and the modern. For example, we are proud to be part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme, sponsored by the Institute of Education at the University of London and Confucius Classroom. At the same time, 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. There is something for every student. Drama, Mandarin, Debating, Coding, Chess and Rowing. Thanks to our amazingly dedicated staff, we offer opportunities seven days a week. The emphasis is on the students taking part and having fun. Creativity matters too. Right from Year 7, we showcase the outstanding developments of our students in art, design, ICT, brass and choral tuition. There are many opportunities for musicians with regular performances throughout the calendar with half termly concerts, busking weeks, and support for community events. We also run regular music tours – in 2019 we went to Paris and Eurodisney and in 2020 we go to lake Garda in Italy. Continued . . .
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Dear Parents/Carers
The Vesey Difference - Leading in Learning
There has never been a better time to join Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. We are an exciting learning community. Our teachers are innovative enthusiasts and warm, intelligent, caring communicators. We want to inspire all the young people in our care, by nurturing a spirit of enquiry and curiosity. We expect students to work hard at school and at home. However, they are well supported. They can find one-to-one help in the lunchtime or after school in every subject. This is not just for boys who are finding the work difficult. Help is equally at hand for students who need to be stretched further academically. Moreover, all students benefit from being part of the wider Vesey network, which provides excellent experiences of top universities and employers.
The annual Sunday Times Parent Power League Tables for secondary schools shows for the last six years that we are the best performing state school for boys with a co-educational Sixth Form in Birmingham and Walsall, and continually improving. 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 UK’s top Russell Group universities. Our success is founded on our strong focus, right from when the boys join us in Year 7, on building even better learning habits and fostering a spirit of enquiry and curiosity.
Our curriculum is exciting with an excellent blend of traditional and the modern. For example, we are proud to be part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme, sponsored by the Institute of Education at the University of London and Confucius Classroom.
At the same time, 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. There is something for every student. Drama, Mandarin, Debating, Coding, Chess and Rowing. Thanks to our amazingly dedicated staff, we offer opportunities seven days a week. The emphasis is on the students taking part and having fun.
Creativity matters too. Right from Year 7, we showcase the outstanding developments of our students in art, design, ICT, brass and choral tuition. There are many opportunities for musicians with regular performances throughout the calendar with half termly concerts, busking weeks, and support for community events. We also run regular music tours – in 2019 we went to Paris and Eurodisney and in 2020 we go to lake Garda in Italy.
Continued . . .
In sport, we continue to excel in rugby, cricket, hockey, basketball, cross-country, athletics, netball, rowing and tennis. This has been supported by the wonderful additions to our facilities: the outdoor cricket nets, our new rowing boats, our special indoor rowing room, the floodlights on Middle Field and our new tennis and netball courts. We benefit from great coaching and we also offer inspirational outdoor learning through residentials, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and exciting adventures through World Challenge expeditions to countries such as Morocco, Croatia and Norway and a ski trip to Canada. We also hold many overseas trips including sporting tours to South Africa, South America and New Zealand as well as trips to China.
We have a vibrant House system with a superb array of competitive events led by students, from the House Spelling Bee and Debating to Badminton as well as magnificent charity events like Artsfest. Our students help run the school, assisting with teacher selection processes and acting as Student Learning Partners to support the development of outstanding teaching and learning. They are responsible members of the lunchtime supervision team and are superb role models as students, mental health ambassadors or as community Language, Sport or Music Leaders.
Thanks to a 2 million pound grant from the Government and a further 1.1 million pound fund raising from the Vesey Community, in December 2016 we opened an inspiring new STEM block providing outstanding resources in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Computing (including a robotics suite).
In short, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School is a very special place. If you want to learn more, click on our website, follow us on Twitter@BVGS1527 or book an appointment to visit the school via [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Mr Dominic Robson Mrs Jo Davis Headteacher Chairman of Governors
ADMISSION TO BISHOP VESEY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2020
There are 192 places available in Year 7 and admission is by selective tests. The entry to
selective schools in September 2020 is only for those children born between, 1st
September 2008 – 31 August 2009. 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 for Boys & Girls King Edward VI Five Ways (Boys & Girls) King Edward VI Handsworth School (Girls) King Edward VI Aston School Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Handsworth Grammar School
The timetable for admissions for Year 7 entry at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 2020
The Admissions packs and Test Registration forms are available from The Grammar Schools in Birmingham website. Applications should be made on line only via, www.birminghamgrammarschools.org from May 2019.
If your child has a disability and/or requires additional resources to sit the test, please email [email protected] to request a disability form (A1) to complete. You MUST also tick the relevant box. It is the parents/ carers responsibility to ensure that this form (A1) has been requested and returned by the deadline Wed 19th June 2019.
The closing date for applications is 28th June 2019 at 4pm. Once you have submitted the test registration form you will receive an email to confirm it has been submitted successfully. Please also note that applications received after the closing date cannot be accepted and children will not be able to take the test.
The Grammar Schools Entrance Test will take place on Saturday 7th September 2019.
Grammar Schools Test Results will be available by 18th October 2019 (this is not the offer of a place). The letter will indicate the scores required for admission to each of the schools in the previous three years. Parents/carers can then decide whether or not to include any of the Grammar Schools in Birmingham on their home Local Authority preference form.
Local Authority Preference Form deadline the 31st October each year. If a school is not named on your child’s Local Authority form they cannot be offered a place. Preference forms are available from your Primary School or Local Authority
Offers of school places will be communicated in writing via your Local Authority on 1st March 2020 or the next working day.
The Grammar school test consists of two exams, of approximately 50 minutes with additional time needed for instructions to be given.
Question booklets will be divided into smaller, individually timed sections that test:
Some of the questions will take a multiple-choice format. A sample of questions can be found via the Grammar Schools in Birmingham Website. Allocation of Places Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School no longer has a residence requirement, Pupils are admitted on the basis of their performance in the test. Applicants are ranked according to their test score and then: Priority will be 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.
We will also be holding opportunities for parents/carers to visit our school on:
Thursday 27th June 2019 4.00pm – 7.00pm Headteacher talks at 5.00pm and 6.00pm
Tuesday 24th September 2019 4.00pm – 7.00pm Headteacher talks at 5.00pm and 6.00pm
Tuesday 15th October 2019 9.00am – 10.30am Head’s Address followed by Q & A at 9.50am
Wednesday 16th October 2019 9.00am – 10.30am Head’s Address followed by Q & A at 9.50am Thursday 17th October 2019 9.00am – 10.30am Head’s Address followed by Q & A at 9.50am
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
All members of the school community have a role to play in being awake to the comments and concerns of members of the public, parents, teaching staff and students.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Not only does our excellent academic performance place us comfortably in the top 50 state schools in the country for attainment but we also win awards every year for student progress.
'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
A 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, certificates and colours. 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 (including cyber and homophobic bullying),
prejudice (including racism), drugs and weapons
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. During the year, there are scheduled tutor/tutee interviews, including a review day,
which parents are invited to. 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
to any dip in student performance or commitment.
OUR CURRICULUM FOR 2019-2020
YEAR 7
All students follow a broad and balanced programme of:
Art
Creative Studies, incorporating
modules in Music (Vocals and Brass),
Design Technology & PE
Computing
English
French
Geography
History
Integrated Science Course
Mandarin
Mathematics
Music
PE/Games
Thrive
Religious Education
YEAR 8
This follows a similar pattern to Year 7, however:
All students choose two languages.
1) Students will study two from French Spanish or Mandarin – only one group will continue with Mandarin (through the Mandarin Excellence Programme)
2) Instead of Integrated Science, students take separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
YEAR 9
Students choose 3 options from: Art, Design Technology, Music and Computing.
Students begin their GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Students have the opportunity to do a one-year course in Economics.
YEAR 10/11
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
RE
PE
Students also study Careers, Citizenship, Games/PE, Religious Education, Sex and Relationships Education
SIXTH FORM 2019-2020
BVGS also offer the ‘Extended Project Qualification’, as an ‘Enrichment Option’ in Year 12.
We will be offering the following 17 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
Economics
English Literature
French
Further Mathematics
Geography
History
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Spanish
Students are also able to take an HSK2 test in Mandarin Chinese
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 and Charity Officer.
THE SCHOOL DAY
7.30 am Some activities begin
7.30 am Library opens
8.00 am Dining Room opens
8.35 am School starts
3.20 pm School ends
4.45 pm Library closes
After school Extra-curricular activities
ADVENTURES
Every student has a number of opportunities during their school career to get involved in
exciting outdoor learning. Whether it be the Bear Grylls experience, or the Duke of Edinburgh
and World Challenge expeditions, we want to encourage all our boys to develop their practical
skills and enjoy being connected to nature.
MUSICAL MAGICIANS
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
at local Festivals and on tour eg. Belgium
2018, France 2019.
INTER-SCHOOL FIXTURES
There are a large number of fixtures organised at all age levels in the major sports of rugby, hockey, rowing, 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, basketball, badminton, golf and tennis matches and competitions are also available to students on a regular basis.
AN OUTWARD-LOOKING COMMUNITY
The school has a long established tradition of supporting both local and national charities. This is done on a regular basis through form or year group charity efforts. Students, led by the School Charity Captain and their team, raise up to £15,000 per annum with diverse activities such as 'Vesey's Got Talent', sleep-outs for the homeless, Sport Relief or Artsfest.
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE!
At BVGS, there are plenty of opportunities to perform. We hold competitions such as Vesey’s Got
Talent, the V Factor, 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. 2016 saw us put on three junior productions, including Alan Ayckbourn’s
“Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations”. In 2017 we performed “Toad” and in 2018 we performed “Macbeth”
as well as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in the open air. We believe all students have an entitlement
to perform. In July 2019, students put on the play, ‘Jabberwocky.’ Students also get the opportunity
to study LAMDA and take LAMDA exams. Results in LAMDA examinations are outstanding.
Oxford 5 Biochemistry/Earth Sciences/Law/French, Spanish & German
Birmingham 16 Medicine/Physiotherapy/Biomedical Science/Biological Science/Psychology/Geography/Mathematics/Mechanical Engineering/Chemical Engineering/Economics/International Business with Languages/Modern Languages/History/Liberal Arts & Sciences
