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The 10 best schools in Birmingham

By Atom | Jun 20, 2023, 2:50 PM

The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower at the University of Birmingham

If you're considering a secondary school in Birmingham for your child, you have plenty of choice with 168 schools to choose from. Find out the 10 best schools in Birmingham based on league table rankings and learn how to help your child get a place at a top school.

How are school league tables calculated?

Each year, the Sunday Times Parent Power releases its annual national rankings for schools across the UK. Secondary schools are ranked by their most recent moderated exam results, including A levels and/or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and GCSEs.

There are different league tables for independent (private fee-paying) schools and state schools.

What are King Edward VI schools?

The King Edward VI Foundation is a charity that operates 13 schools in the city of Birmingham. It manages historic land assets dating back to when King Edward's School was founded in 1552. The Foundation works to ensure that children from all backgrounds in the city of Birmingham can access a good education.

The charity consists of two independent schools, six grammar schools, and five non-selective academy schools:

  • King Edward's School

  • King Edward VI High School for Girls

What are the best secondary schools in Birmingham?

1. King Edward VI High School for Girls

Students walking and talking outside the main entrance building at King Edward VI High School for Girls

(c) kehs.org.uk

King Edward VI High School for Girls is an independent day school in Edgbaston for girls aged 11–18. It's one of the country's leading girls' schools with a longstanding reputation for academic achievement. The Sunday Times recently rated the school number one in the West Midlands.

Key information

  • National rank (independent schools): 15

  • ISI rating: excellent in all areas

  • A level results: 96.4% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 94.9% 9–7

  • Fees: £5,043 per term (2022-23)

  • Year 7 entry process: English and maths exams


2. King Edward's School, Birmingham

Students sitting on the lawn on a sunny day outside the main entrance building at King Edward's School Birmingham

(c) facebook.com

King Edward's School is an independent day school in Edgbaston for boys aged 11–18. It's located on a 50-acre site next to the University of Birmingham, which it shares with its sister school, King Edward VI High School for Girls. In 2021, the Sunday Times named King Edward's School 'West Midlands Independent Secondary School of the Decade'.

Key information

  • National rank (independent schools): 32

  • ISI rating: excellent in all areas

  • IB results: 85% Higher Level 7/6

  • GCSE results: 89.4% 9–7

  • Fees: £5,175 per term (2022-23)

  • Year 7 entry process: English, maths and verbal reasoning exams, and interview


3. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys

View across the sports pitch towards one of the buildings at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys

(c) crowdfunder.co.uk

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys is a boys' grammar school in Kings Heath. It’s renowned nationally for pupils’ excellent exam results, which are the highest of all state schools in Birmingham. Boys at Camp Hill share a large campus with the sister school, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls.

Key information

  • National rank (state schools): 18

  • Ofsted rating: outstanding

  • A level results: 88.6% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 92.3% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: 11 plus exam with papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Find out more about the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys 11 plus.


4. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Cherry blossom trees in bloom outside the main entrance building at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

(c) facebook.com

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls provides a grammar education to girls in Sutton Coldfield, north of Birmingham city. The school prides itself on a happy and purposeful learning environment where students are encouraged to develop a 'growth mindset'.

Key information

  • National rank (state schools): 22

  • Ofsted rating: good

  • A level results: 90% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 87.3% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: 11 plus exam with papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Find out more about the Sutton Coldfield Grammar School 11 plus.


5. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls

The main entrance at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls

(c) kechg.org.uk

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls is a girls' grammar school in Kings Heath. The school shares a campus with its brother school, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys. It's regularly ranked within the top 10 state schools for both GCSE and A level results.

  • National rank (state schools): 27

  • Ofsted rating: outstanding

  • A level results: 84.9% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 90.3% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: 11 plus exam with papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Find out more about the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls 11 plus.

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6. King Edward VI Five Ways School

The main entrance and welcome banner at King Edward VI Five Ways School

(c) birminghamweare.com

King Edward VI Five Ways School is a large co-educational grammar school located on a 32-acre site next to Bartley Green Reservoir. It was formally an all-boys school before welcoming girls in 2003. It's currently the only mixed, free grammar school in the West Midlands.

  • National rank (state schools): 43

  • Ofsted rating: outstanding

  • A level results: 84% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 85% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: 11 plus exam with papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Find out more about the King Edward VI Five Ways School 11 plus.


7. Bishop Vesey's Grammar School

View of the main building at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School

(c) wikipedia.org

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School (BVGS) is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Sutton Coldfield. It was founded in 1527, making it the oldest school in the city of Birmingham. The school aims to provide inspiration and excellence to able children and provides a vast range of extracurricular activities.

  • National rank (state schools): 51

  • Ofsted rating: outstanding

  • A level results: 86.9% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 75% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: 11 plus exam with papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Find out more about the Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 11 plus.


8. St Paul's School for Girls, Edgbaston

Group of schoolgirls talking and laughing outside one of the buildings at St Paul's School for Girls

(c) stpaulgl.bham.sch.uk

St Paul's School for Girls is a Catholic girls' comprehensive school in Edgbaston. It was founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle and maintains a community built on faith and tradition. While not academically selective, students consistently achieve excellent exam results, placing the school 4th in the Sunday Times national league table for comprehensive schools.

  • National rank (state schools): 75

  • Ofsted rating: outstanding

  • A level results: 89.3% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 55.2% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: non-selective, but Catholic children are prioritised


9. Edgbaston High School

The new sixth form centre with three-storey glass windows at Edgbaston High School

(c) find-an-architect.architecture.com

Edgbaston High School is an independent day school for girls aged 2–18, comprising a prep school, senior school and sixth form. It was founded in 1876, making it the oldest independent girls' school in Birmingham. The school is praised for its strong pastoral care and a huge co-curricular programme.

  • National rank (independent schools): 283

  • ISI rating: excellent in all areas

  • A level results: 67.1% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 64.9% 9–7

  • Fees: £4,829 per term (Years 7–11, 2022–23)

  • Year 7 entry process: online aptitude test (literacy, maths and non-verbal reasoning), taster lesson and interview

10. Handsworth Grammar School

The old bell tower above the main entrance at Handsworth Grammar School

(c) classdigest.com

Handsworth Grammar School is a boys' grammar school (with a mixed sixth form) in Handsworth and a member of the King Edward VI Foundation and Academy Trust. While academic grades are important, the school strives to have a positive impact on children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural values.

  • National rank (state schools): 232

  • Ofsted rating: outstanding

  • A level results: 63.9% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 57.8% 9–7

  • Fees: free (state-funded)

  • Year 7 entry process: 11 plus exam with papers in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Find out more about the Handsworth Grammar School 11 plus.


How can I help my child get a place at a good school?

Most of the best schools in Birmingham are academically selective. This means that children hoping to secure a place in Year 7 will need to take an entrance exam.

Children applying to a Birmingham grammar school take the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus exam. Children applying to an independent school in the city take entrance tests set by the school.

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