The 10 best schools in Birmingham

1. 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 named the school 'Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance West Midlands'.

Key information

• National rank (independent schools): 10

• ISI rating: excellent

• A level results (2023): 95.3% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 96.5% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: £5,538 per term

• 11 plus assessment: English and maths exams

2. 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): 13

• Ofsted rating: yet to be inspected

• A level results (2023): 83.9% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 89.3% 9–7

• Fees: free (state-funded)

• 11 plus assessment: West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus

4. 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 state schools in the country for both GCSE and A level results.

• National rank (state schools): 20

• Ofsted rating: outstanding

• A level results (2022): 83.6% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 85.9% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: free (state-funded)

• 11 plus assessment: West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus

5. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

(c) facebook.com

Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a girls' grammar school north of Birmingham city. It prides itself on a happy and purposeful environment and prioritises the importance of a growth mindset.

Key information

• National rank (state schools): 29

• Ofsted rating: good

• A level results (2023): 82.8% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 87.3% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: free (state-funded)

• 11 plus assessment: [West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus]Sutton Coldfield Grammar School 11 plus

6. 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 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): 48

• Ofsted rating: not yet inspected

• A level results (2023): 80% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 74% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: free (state-funded)

• 11 plus assessment: West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus

7. 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 to able children and provides a vast range of extracurricular activities.

• National rank (state schools): 54

• Ofsted rating: outstanding

• A level results (2023): 79.8% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 70.1% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: free (state-funded)

• 11 plus assessment: West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus

8. 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): 154

• ISI rating: excellent

• A level results (2023): 75.9% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 62.3% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: £5,167–£5,250 per term

• 11 plus assessment: CEM Select exam

9. St Paul's School for Girls, Edgbaston

(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 at St Paul's consistently achieve excellent exam results. These results rank the school within the top 10 comprehensive schools in the UK.

• National rank (state schools): 90

• Ofsted rating: outstanding

• A level results (2023): 81.5% A*–B

• GCSE results (2023): 47.5% A*/A/9/8/7

• Fees: free (state-funded)

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

Award-winning exam preparation for Birmingham schools

Applying to a selective school in Birmingham? Atom is an online learning platform that gives everything you and your child need for 11 plus success.

Includes bespoke online learning and mock tests for:

• West Midlands Grammar Schools 11 plus

• CEM Select

• Schools' own entrance exams

Children work independently through practice questions in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Teacher-created helpsheets and videos help them discover new concepts and consolidate their learning.

Atom's adaptive algorithm keeps children on their ideal learning path. It's tailored to your child's unique learning style and pace to keep them challenged and motivated.

• 90,000+ interactive questions

• Adaptive learning journeys

• Unlimited mock tests and downloadable practice tests

• Live lessons and parent webinars

• Automatic marking and progress tracking