Moving from India to Birmingham...

[Dan1234]

Hi, I have a friend moving from India to Birmingham and they are looking at schools for their daughters, one in junior, and one about to start secondary. Can anyone suggest good schools to consider...any areas will be considered...also any schools to steer clear of would be much appreciated. We've looked at forums and OFSTED brochures but something first hand would be good! Thanks all.

What sort of school is she looking for? As in, state or private?

Either considered!

DD had a girl in her class for several years from Mumbai (she's returned now). Her parents found private education much, much more similar to the education they were used to in India than the state system.
Are their religious considerations such as looking for all girls school or school that will allow uniform variation for religious observance?

When are they moving? It's very late to be thinking about September starters.

Secondary places at this stage in particular may be a limited choice. They need to be open minded and not get too hung up over what seems ideal. Have they spoken to council yet, as they may not be able to even apply until they arrive.

As you have been looking at other resources perhaps you could list some of the schools your friends have shown an interest in. Just to narrow things down.

Do they really have no preference for any geographical area? No work, family, health or social reasons to be anywhere in particular?

Given the amount of choice you suggest they can exercise it sounds as if they will be looking for independent schools.

Day or boarding?

Co-ed or single sex?

Academically selective or otherwise?

What are they hoping for from the next few years of their daughters' education?

Edgbaston has all the good grammars (girls and boys) but housing is expensive. Close to the city and countryside.

Pm if you like ... wheres work etc? What are their priorities other than school?

Edgbaston has all the good grammars

Do you mean independents? There is no way they would get into the grammar schools now for September (admissions - ten times oversubscribed, waiting list as long as your arm - are done and dusted).

Edgbaston has all the good grammars (girls and boys) but housing is expensive. Close to the city and countryside

No - Edgbaston has a cluster of Private schools. The Grammars are in Kings Heath, Bartley Green, Aston, Hansworth and Sutton Coldfield.

I have to agree with everyone else. There are hundreds of schools across the City. To help, you need to narrow it down to either budget for where they are buying / renting so we can help with areas of the City, or to where they need to live to be near work or relations/friends or whatever is bringing them to this lovely City. Also, of course if they are looking for Private Education or state.

Hi Dan1234

Education in Birmingham (well England) is confusing. Aside from state and private choices (and there are many private options - just google private schools in Birmingham) - there are state-funded grammar schools for secondary, which are absolutely outstanding but entrance is by exam (so highly competitive to get in). I don't know about all the private schools but the King Edward state funded grammar schools (www.kingedwardthesixth.org/) and the private boys (KES) www.kes.org.uk/ / girls schools (KEHS) www.kehs.org.uk/ have entrance exams taken the previous September (11+ sat a year before entry) or for the private girls/ boys option - the previous January (entrance exam in Y6 of primary before entry in September).

So on that basis it may be too late for your DC who is due to start secondary school (age 11/12) in 2015. Birmingham LEA will have information about state schools here: www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions - the Birmingham website is less than helpful - but this is the handbook for school admissions for this coming September (2015/2106 school year): if you click Secondary transfer on the menu on the left of the above web page - and scroll down - there is a document called Secondary Education 2015 which lists all schools and you can find out more information on catchments/ entrance criteria.

My advice is once you know where you'll be living (as in have an address contact Birmingham LEA about placing your children in schools - you can find contact details in the first page of the Secondary Admissions 2015 document). Having moved during the school year myself - it is essential you have an address (rental agreement or have purchased a home) in place before they'll help you.

Once you know the area you will be living in - you can look up schools by Performance tables (so how their pupils do at exams): www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/

Parent View - so how parents rate the school based on the same survey questions: parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/parent-view-results

Ofsted Reports (gov't inspection reports for the school): reports.ofsted.gov.uk/

If you have friends already living in Birmingham (or friends of friends) my advice would be to contact them with your questions about things.

HTH