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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 the area and how to help your child prepare for the 11 plus exam.
What are grammar schools?
A grammar school is a secondary school in the UK that selects pupils based on academic ability. Children applying for a place at a grammar school need to take an entrance exam, known as the 11 plus (11+) in Year 6. The pupils with the highest scores are then eligible for a place in Year 7.
You do not need to pay school fees if your child attends a grammar school. Grammar schools are funded by the state (government). They are the only state-funded secondary schools in England that can select pupils based on academic ability.
All Birmingham grammar schools use the same 11 plus exam. This is known as the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus.
Free Atom subscription for Birmingham grammar school applicants
Is your child applying to a King Edward VI Foundation grammar school? If they qualify for pupil premium, they can get a free subscription to Atom. Watch your child build knowledge and feel confident for the West Midlands Grammar School 11+!
How many grammar schools are there in Birmingham?
There are eight grammar schools in Birmingham:
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 18th 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 (2022): 92.3% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2022): 88.6% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 18
2. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
©suttcold.bham.sch.uk
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a girls' grammar 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. There is a wide extracurricular programme which 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 (2022): 87.3% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2022): 90% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 22
3. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
©kechg.org.uk
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls is rated within the top 30 state secondary schools in the UK. Ofsted rate the school 'outstanding', describing it as an "inspirational and exceptional environment" where pupils flourish.
KEVI Camp Hill School for Girls is culturally rich and diverse and 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 swimming pool.
Town: Birmingham
Local council: Birmingham City Council
Gender: girls 11–18
Number of pupils: 1,000+
GCSE results (2022): 90.3% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2022): 84.9% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 27
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 friendly community that promotes a family ethos. This is underpinned by a student leadership team, who lead the student body and act as school ambassadors.
KEVI Five Ways School is located in the southwest of Birmingham and offers outstanding facilities. Students learn on a 32-acre site with specialist rooms for the humanities, creative arts and food technology. There is also a multipurpose sports complex (including dance studios and a swimming pool), 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 (2022): 85% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2022): 84% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 42
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 across 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 (2022): 75% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2022): 86.9% A*–B
National rank for state secondary schools: 49
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Birmingham 11+ practice papers
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