On Thursday 1st October 2026, Year 7 students took part in their first enrichment day of the academic year. The day began with a series of exciting team-building activities designed to develop key skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership.

Each form group was divided into teams of approximately ten students, with every team challenged to complete a range of activities that could only be achieved through effective teamwork and communication. The boys quickly embraced the challenges, showing great enthusiasm, determination, and resilience throughout the morning.

It was particularly pleasing to see so many students stepping forward to take on leadership roles within their groups. Rather than sitting back when faced with difficulties, the boys demonstrated confidence and initiative, encouraging one another and working together to overcome obstacles.

Throughout the activities, students were assessed on four key areas: planning, communication, teamwork, and motivation. These skills formed the foundation of every challenge and encouraged students to reflect on how they contributed to their group’s success.

The activities provided an excellent opportunity for students to build new friendships, strengthen existing relationships, and develop important life skills beyond the classroom. Their positive attitude and willingness to get involved made the day a great success and set a fantastic tone for the year ahead.

Congratulations to 7 Alfred, who were crowned the overall winners of the challenge carousel after consistently demonstrating excellent teamwork, organisation, communication, and commitment throughout the day.

We look forward to seeing the boys continue to develop these skills through future enrichment opportunities at Handsworth Grammar School.

Following a well-deserved extended lunch break, the boys spent the remainder of the afternoon exploring a topical and thought-provoking question: Should social media on smartphones be available to children under the age of 16?

Working in their form groups, students researched the issue, prepared arguments, and considered both sides of the debate. Each form then selected a team of finalists to represent them in a debate competition. The final debates were livestreamed across the year group, allowing all students to watch and learn from the presentations and arguments put forward by their peers.

The quality of discussion was outstanding, with students demonstrating confidence, critical thinking, respectful disagreement, and public speaking skills well beyond their years.

A special congratulations goes to Henrique Challoner, whose performance impressed staff so greatly that he was selected to represent Handsworth Grammar School at the upcoming King Edward VI Foundation Ceremony. Henrique will perform a piece of spoken word alongside fellow Year 7 students from schools across the Foundation, a fantastic achievement and a testament to his confidence, creativity, and eloquence.

The enrichment day was a tremendous success, providing students with opportunities to develop teamwork, leadership, communication, and oracy skills while building confidence and creating lasting memories.

I would also like to congratulate the Year 7 students on the fantastic start they have made beyond the classroom. The boys have embraced our CARES values, aspiring to complete the KS3 Junior Baccalaureate and  the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities available at Handsworth Grammar School, demonstrating enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to get involved in school life. It has been particularly encouraging to see so many students applying for positions of responsibility, including Form Captain, School Councillor, and Anti-Bullying Ambassador roles. Their eagerness to contribute to the school community reflects the maturity, leadership, and sense of responsibility that we hope to foster in all HGS students, and we look forward to seeing them grow into these roles throughout the year.

Mr Hussain

HOY 7

🏆 Celebrating Outstanding Attendance Success at KEVI Handsworth Grammar School! 🏆

We are delighted to announce that KEVI Handsworth Grammar School has been recognised by FFT Aspire with three prestigious Attendance Awards for 2025/26:

🏅 National Attendance Award
Recognising schools with attendance rates among the highest-performing secondary schools nationally.

🏅 Similar Schools Attendance Award
Awarded to schools whose attendance is amongst the highest when compared with schools in similar circumstances.

🏅 Most Improved Attendance Award
Recognising schools that have made exceptional improvements in attendance over the previous academic year.

These awards are a testament to the commitment of our students, parents, carers, and staff, all working together to ensure that every student benefits from being in school, every day.

At HGS, we know that excellent attendance supports excellent outcomes, and we are incredibly proud that our school community has been recognised both for its high attendance and the significant improvements made during the 2025/26 academic year.

👏 Thank you to our students for their dedication, to our families for their ongoing support, and to our staff for their unwavering commitment to ensuring every student can thrive.

Are you waiting for your son’s 11+ Grammar School Test results? Now is the perfect opportunity to visit HGS and discover what life is like at our school ahead of completing your secondary school preferences.

We are delighted to invite prospective students and their families to our Year 7 Open Mornings on:

🗓️ Tuesday 20th October 2026

🎟️ Book your place: Tuesday 20th October 2026

🗓️ Wednesday 21st October 2026

🎟️ Book your place: Wednesday 21st October 2026

Come along to:

✅ Tour our excellent school facilities

✅ Meet our staff and students

✅ Experience our friendly, inclusive and ambitious learning environment

✅ Learn more about our curriculum and enrichment opportunities

✅ Find out what makes HGS such a successful and supportive school community

Our Open Mornings provide a fantastic opportunity to see the school in action, ask questions, and gain a real feel for life at HGS before making your secondary school choices.

📍 Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys.

Please see the following Year Group newsletters for September 2026:

Year 7 Newsletter

Year 8 Newsletter

Year 9 Newsletter

Year 10 Newsletter

Year 11 Newsletter

Year 12 Newsletter

Students at King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys are celebrating another excellent set of GCSE results, reflecting five years of hard work, ambition and commitment.

More than 60% of all GCSE grades were awarded at Grades 7–9, with outstanding performances across the year group. Fifteen students achieved 10 GCSEs at Grades 7–9, while more than a quarter of students achieved at least nine GCSEs at this level.

Mathematics results were particularly impressive, with almost four out of every five students achieving Grades 7–9. An exceptional 46 students achieved the very highest Grade 9 in Mathematics – almost a third of the entire year group.

The results demonstrate strong achievement across the whole cohort, with 98% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in both English and Mathematics, an improvement on the previous year.

Headteacher Tim Johnson said:

“I am incredibly proud of our Year 11 students and everything that they have achieved. These results are the culmination of five years of hard work, commitment and perseverance, and there are some truly exceptional individual performances within them.

“It is particularly pleasing to see the outstanding results in Mathematics, but I am equally proud of the strength of outcomes across the whole year group. One of our ambitions as a school is to ensure that every young person achieves an excellent set of qualifications which enables them to take their next steps with confidence.

“Results days are inevitably dominated by statistics, but behind every grade is an individual student and their own story. Some of the achievements of which we are most proud are those of the students who have overcome challenges, exceeded expectations or shown extraordinary determination to achieve their results.

“A number of our students have also successfully balanced the demands of their academic studies with significant commitments and achievements in sport, music and other activities beyond the classroom. We are incredibly proud not only of the qualifications our students have achieved, but of the young people they have become during their time at HGS.

“I would like to thank our teaching and support staff for the expertise, care and encouragement they have given our students throughout their time at the school. These results reflect the contribution of so many colleagues over five years, as well as the invaluable support our students have received from their families.

“Most importantly, congratulations to our students. They should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. We look forward to welcoming many of them back to HGS Sixth Form in September, and we wish every student the very best as they take their next steps.”

Students will now progress to a range of post-16 destinations, with many continuing their studies at HGS Sixth Form.