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Are you considering a grammar school in Birmingham for your child's secondary education?
There are eight grammar schools in Birmingham. Most of these are within the top 100 state secondary schools in the UK, so you have lots of high-performing schools to choose from!
Keep reading to find out more about the best grammar schools in Birmingham and how to help your child prepare for the 11 plus.
How many grammar schools are there in Birmingham?
There are eight grammar schools in Birmingham:
How to get into a grammar school in Birmingham
Your child will need to take the 11 plus to be considered for a place at a grammar school. This usually takes place in September when your child is in Year 6. Children with the highest 11 plus scores will be eligible for a place at a grammar school in Year 7.
Children applying to Birmingham grammar schools take an 11+ exam known as the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. 19 grammar schools across Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall, and Wolverhampton use this exam. It consists of two multiple-choice papers which test English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
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The 5 best grammar schools in Birmingham
1. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
©crowdfunder.co.uk
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys was founded in 1883. It was originally located close to the city centre but moved to the suburb of Kings Heath in 1956.
The school is committed to providing a caring and inclusive community where everyone can do and be their best. Teaching is high quality, and students achieve impressive exam results. Extracurricular activities and careers opportunities are also wide and varied.
KEVI Camp Hill School for Boys is ranked the 13th best state secondary school in the UK. Ofsted has consistently judged the school 'outstanding', praising its "relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects". The Sunday Times has also named the school 'West Midlands State Secondary School of the Decade'._
Town: Birmingham
Local council: Birmingham City Council
Gender: boys 11–18
Number of pupils: 1,000+
GCSE results (2023): 89.3% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 83.9% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 13
2. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
©kechg.org.uk
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls is rated within the top 20 state secondary schools in the UK. Ofsted describes it as an "inspirational and exceptional environment" where pupils flourish.
KEVI Camp Hill School for Girls provides excellent pastoral care. It also boasts fantastic specialist facilities to enrich pupils' education. New facilities include 11 science labs, computer suites, an environmental geography hub, an art and design centre, a fitness suite and a swimming pool.
Town: Birmingham
Local council: Birmingham City Council
Gender: girls 11–18
Number of pupils: 1,100+
GCSE results (2023): 85.9% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 83.6% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 20
3. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
©suttcold.bham.sch.uk
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a selective girls' school northeast of Birmingham. It was founded in 1929 as a partner school to the local boys' grammar, Bishop Vesey's. The school aims for students to develop a love of learning and build resilience.
There is an excellent pastoral care programme at Sutton Coldfield. The headteacher emphasises the importance of a growth mindset, where students are encouraged to see the value of effort. A wide extracurricular programme includes opportunities in STEM, sports and the arts.
Town: Birmingham
Local council: Birmingham City Council
Gender: girls 11–18
Number of pupils: 1,200+
GCSE results (2023): 82.9% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 82.8% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 29
4. King Edward VI Five Ways School
©kefw.org
King Edward VI Five Ways School was founded in 1883. It's the highest-ranked co-educational grammar school in Birmingham and rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
The school educates young people from all backgrounds within a family-friendly community. A student leadership team lead the student body and act as school ambassadors.
The school sits on a 32-acre site south of Birmingham and offers outstanding facilities. There are specialist rooms for the humanities, creative arts and food technology. There is also a multipurpose sports complex and a new music school with recording facilities.
Town: Birmingham
Local council: Birmingham City Council
Gender: boys and girls 11–18
Number of pupils: 1,100+
GCSE results (2023): 74% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 80% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 48
5. Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
©wikipedia.org
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School was founded in 1527 in Sutton Coldfield. It provides a grammar education to boys aged 11–18 and girls aged 16–18. The school celebrates its multiethnic student body and is committed to ensuring equality in every aspect of school life. Bishop Vesey's is a UNICEF Rights Respecting School and is currently working towards a Silver Equality Award.
The school aims to provide inspiration and excellence to children in the West Midlands. Academic results at Bishop Vesey's are high and the school has an excellent record of university success. Around 70% of school leavers go on to study at Russell Group universities, with some securing places at Oxbridge and Ivy League colleges.
Town: Sutton Coldfield
Local council: Birmingham City Council
Gender: boys 11–18, mixed sixth form
Number of pupils: 1,300+
GCSE results (2023): 70.1% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 79.8% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 49
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