King Edward VI Grammar School

About the School

King Edward VI Grammar School isA remarkable school. It is one of England’s leading state grammar schools, and it has a history dating back to its foundation in 1551, and origins prior to that. Its reputation is built on sustained outstanding examination results, an ethos of equality and openness to students of all social and ethnic backgrounds who are admitted, and a deep concern to support young people in developing their personal talents and interests and in learning to work with others. It mixes a traditional emphasis on courtesy, personal conduct and respect for others, with a modern interest in the latest educational research.

As a school specifically providing specialist education to very able young people, there is a strong focus on academic achievement, with the vast majority of students (both those boys who join in Year 7, and students, including girls, who join for the sixth form) going on to top universities.

There is a serious work ethic at King Edward VI Grammar School which derives from highly motivated students and dedicated staff. Recent results have put the school near the top of national GCSE and A level rankings, and 23 students who left in the Summer 2019 went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge – a figure which was repeated in Summer 2020 and again in Summer 2021.

A total of 26 students in Summer 2021 gained places to study Medicine at University. At GCSE in 2019, King Edward VI Grammar School pupils achieved the highest average number of top grades (7-9) per pupil of any state school. League tables are not the only guiding principle – staff value breadth of study as well – and such tables can sometimes be misleading, depending on what they include or how they are ranked.

King Edward VI Grammar School also focuses significant effort on the progress of students who may find a particular subject area more challenging than others, and they have an extensive programme of mentor support. And an analysis of the attainment of King Edward VI Grammar School students from less advantaged backgrounds who are entitled to the Government’s “pupil premium” shows that they often outperform their King Edward VI Grammar School cohort in terms of progress made.

Despite the undoubted focus on academic study, a key objective is to enable all students to develop as well-rounded individuals. King Edward VI Grammar School provides a huge range of extra-curricular opportunities, as well as tours, expeditions and exchanges. King Edward VI Grammar School has done a lot of recent work on issues of equality and respect towards other people and they put a strong emphasis on the concept of service to others, both within and outside the school.

Their pastoral system provides outstanding support and guidance, and its aim is that students enjoy coming to school each day for the sheer love of learning and the experience of belonging to the King Edward VI Grammar School community. The school also values strongly numerous partnerships with local primary and secondary schools and staff believe that King Edward VI Grammar School should play a strong role in the Chelmsford community as it has done for many years.

The school's motto is 'Quicquid agas sapiens age fortiter ex animoque' – which at King Edward VI Grammar School has traditionally been rendered as “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) - and this is precisely the spirit in which King Edward VI Grammar School students and staff work on a daily basis.