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Secondary education

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Original poster

Manchester Grammar School or King Edward's School Birmingham

207 replies

Lalagu · 08/01/2024 09:56

My kid has received offers from both schools for Year 7 in the upcoming year. I am wondering which school he should choose. Do you have any insightful ideas? Thanks!

OP posts:
LIZS · 10/01/2024 13:43

Do you have other income to bring up to £3k? That is certainly more typical of an average income. Have you budgeted for 7 years school fees with annual increases?

Sportycustard · 10/01/2024 13:39

Friends have had very good experiences with KE however it is worth bearing in mind that there are state grammar schools in Birmingham and, certainly in my experience, some of the KE pupils are ones that didn't pass the grammar test - or at least not at a level which would have got them into the best grammars.

MGS is possibly more academic

Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 13:39

LIZS · 10/01/2024 13:14

You know it is £11.44 ph, from April 2024? Less than £2k pm which is then taxable and national insurance deductible. Think being a housewife might be a luxury you cannot afford, sorry. Alternatively use state schools and use that money for support.

indeed i never live in UK so I really dont know how much we need for a small family, i dont know whether 3000 (net) is enough or not (excluding school fee and rental).

OP posts:
murasaki · 10/01/2024 13:32

It seems a bit unrealistic, unless your savings also cover school uniform, trips, transport and the other extras as well as fees.

crazycrofter · 10/01/2024 13:16

I guess we don’t know what savings @Lalagu has other than those put aside for rent and education. It will still be tight living on one minimum wage though so I think you need to look at cheaper houses, in the Hollymoor or Rubery/Rednal areas.

LIZS · 10/01/2024 13:14

You know it is £11.44 ph, from April 2024? Less than £2k pm which is then taxable and national insurance deductible. Think being a housewife might be a luxury you cannot afford, sorry. Alternatively use state schools and use that money for support.

Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 13:06

KingsleyBorder · 10/01/2024 13:05

Presumably her husband will be working too @LIZS . Perhaps he has higher salary prospects.

i will be housewife and he will go to find a minimum wage job since his professional is not accredited in UK

OP posts:
Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 13:06

LIZS · 10/01/2024 12:51

Minimum wage will not provide for a good standard of living. Have you included council tax, utilities (gas, electricity, water), insurance etc in your property budget?

i think if i can find a minimum wage job then my family can have around 2500-3000 to spend per month (except school fee and rental)

OP posts:
KingsleyBorder · 10/01/2024 13:05

Presumably her husband will be working too @LIZS . Perhaps he has higher salary prospects.

LIZS · 10/01/2024 12:51

Minimum wage will not provide for a good standard of living. Have you included council tax, utilities (gas, electricity, water), insurance etc in your property budget?

Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 12:41

MailMe1 · 10/01/2024 10:52

Are you here already? Cost of living is high, although I imagine some things are cheaper than HK. Also be prepared for school fee rises, they went up 8% last year. Hoping not so high this year.

Edited

i am still in Hong Kong
Yes i know the living cost is not cheap in UK especially the energy price
I have reserved money for kid school fee and some for property
thus my salary expects to pay for my food, energy and miscellaneous
hope it is not hard to find job therr

OP posts:
Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 12:39

crazycrofter · 10/01/2024 12:26

@Lalagu mainly I would avoid the area to the west of the A3 and north of Frankley Beeches Rd.

We used to live on the estate around the Hollymoor Centre to the south or Frankley Beeches Rd. Prices are good there as it’s near some rough areas (Frankley and Longbridge) but we found it self contained and quiet. There’s a bus (61) that runs along Frankley Beeches Rd. It’s also a 20 min walk down to Longbridge station and you’re also close to the cinema and restaurants (and Morrisons) on Great Park.

honestly it is really helpful. Indeed I am looking the semi around the Morrison and they match with my budget

OP posts:
crazycrofter · 10/01/2024 12:26

I meant A38 in my post above

crazycrofter · 10/01/2024 12:26

@Lalagu mainly I would avoid the area to the west of the A3 and north of Frankley Beeches Rd.

We used to live on the estate around the Hollymoor Centre to the south or Frankley Beeches Rd. Prices are good there as it’s near some rough areas (Frankley and Longbridge) but we found it self contained and quiet. There’s a bus (61) that runs along Frankley Beeches Rd. It’s also a 20 min walk down to Longbridge station and you’re also close to the cinema and restaurants (and Morrisons) on Great Park.

MailMe1 · 10/01/2024 10:52

Are you here already? Cost of living is high, although I imagine some things are cheaper than HK. Also be prepared for school fee rises, they went up 8% last year. Hoping not so high this year.

Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 09:04

MailMe1 · 10/01/2024 08:58

Just a thought @Lalagu what about your own jobs? Where will you be based and how will you get to work?

i just plan to find any job nearby my new home and i can do anything and ok to get minimum wage

OP posts:
MailMe1 · 10/01/2024 08:58

Just a thought @Lalagu what about your own jobs? Where will you be based and how will you get to work?

Original poster
Lalagu · 10/01/2024 01:06

AnnaSewell · 10/01/2024 01:03

I often work in Northfield. I like working there.

which street has council houses in there? some ppl recommend me to pick property closed to Manor Farm Park, or the area between Aldi and train station. Thanks!

OP posts:
AnnaSewell · 10/01/2024 01:03

I often work in Northfield. I like working there.

Original poster
Lalagu · 09/01/2024 23:49

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 09/01/2024 13:19

Good luck OP! I am biased but would take KES every time: Birmingham is a vibrant fun city and closer to London and all the fun and culture of London and the southern part of the UK. I think KES is better regarded? I grew up in Northfield and went to KEHS - that’s the cause of my bias! I would just add that Solihull is a great location for the school - nice town, accessible by train, check but I am sure they run a school bus there and we were all so jealous of the people who got to go in the Solihull bus. They’re all still a tight knit group of friends decades later.

solihull is quite far and checked it absolutely needs to take around one hour in the distance

OP posts:
whiteboardking · 09/01/2024 23:06

I think both cities similar but Manc has a bit more to do. Seriously not much in it. If you go for MGS rent in the city (About 1.5 miles away), close by or on a bus route. People will say it's in a rough area - that was true 15-20 years ago but not really as much now. It's a studenty / not rich area tho

wwyd2021medicine · 09/01/2024 17:49

Tbh attendees at KEHS and KES live all over the place. There are lots in Solihull and there was definitely the bus mentioned still going 5 years ago. There were pupils from Lichfield, Tamworth, Hampton in Arden, lots of Bromsgrove locations, Barnt Green, Hagley

I think if you go for KES, look at locations with a direct train line to University Station.

Original poster
Lalagu · 09/01/2024 15:03

crazycrofter · 09/01/2024 13:11

I was also going to suggest the house that senua suggested - location is perfect for the train, but also good for the bus if that's preferred.

I would look anywhere around the station, and also the other side of the Bristol Road, from Tessall Lane up to the south side of Frankley Beeches Road. These are mainly 1930s semis, but pleasant roads and really good for public transport.

thanks for your detailed location Flowers

OP posts:
anothernamechangeagainsndagain · 09/01/2024 13:20

I would recommend renting for 6-12 months in whichever city you choose rather than committing to buy directly - it's hard to judge where to live from afar (been there, made mistakes)

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 09/01/2024 13:19

Good luck OP! I am biased but would take KES every time: Birmingham is a vibrant fun city and closer to London and all the fun and culture of London and the southern part of the UK. I think KES is better regarded? I grew up in Northfield and went to KEHS - that’s the cause of my bias! I would just add that Solihull is a great location for the school - nice town, accessible by train, check but I am sure they run a school bus there and we were all so jealous of the people who got to go in the Solihull bus. They’re all still a tight knit group of friends decades later.