Solihull schools

[Maksollihull]

Hi, we are currently looking to buy a house in the solihull area and are keen on Tudor Grange or Arden secondary schools. We quite like the roads around Buryfield Road and Prospect Lane and are also fond of Hampton-In-Arden village. I know these areas/ roads do not fall directly into the catchment area for the two schools mentioned but wanted some views of anyone who does/have lived there, whether they did manage to get in based on “out of catchment” priority ranking.

In addition, is it still possible for Solihull residents to sit the 11+ entrance exams for the Birmingham grammar schools based on the change?
Thanks In advance.

No, the Birmingham grammars have tightened up their access areas.

From Solihull you might have a try for the Warwickshire ones but transport would be really difficult.

Tbh either Tudor Grange or Arden are both really excellent comprehensive schools, amongst the best non selective in the country.

However you absolutely have to be in catchment to get a spot. It's why the houses in their catchment areas are more expensive.

I cannot advise on getting into those schools from out of catchment (seems unlikely, but depends on the cohort your child is in, as to the size, and when the largest bulge falls).

However, regarding KE schools, your child may still sit the exam. Gaining a place depends highly on whether you have a boy or a girl, and which school (s) you're attempting for.
Don't forget Sutton Girls' and Bishop Vesey are not in the Foundation, so did not introduce catchments.

Hi thank you for the replies.
I would’ve liked for my daughter to attempt for Camp Hill, however the new catchment process has now made it confusing. From my understanding, you can still sit the exam and apply but you are last in the priority ranking - is that correct?

If it's KEVICHG, you might have a chance. This year, they only had two thirds of places filled from passes in catchment. If she get a very high score, then she would have a chance of a place.
That said, this was only the first year of new arrangements, and I know several families that are intending to move into catchment (though some are boys) for the near future. The situation may be different by the time she applies, particularly if it's a few years away.
KEFW and KEVICHB didn't have places for all those in catchment that passed, despite CHB taking an additional 30 children this time.

Tudor Grange and Arden are both excellent schools but you will need to be resident in catchment area to get a place.

You would have a chance at a place at Stratford Girls Grammar from Henley and maybe even Solihull if you lived on the right side of the town.

I would say, though, that I think many more families will move into catchment for the Camp Hill schools, and that just hadn't happened in time for this entrance round.
The further away her entrance year is, the fewer places there will be for out of catchment.
Her score would be crucial in gaining a place, and that's not the sort of pressure you should be applying.

She could try for Sutton Coldfield girls? They’ve introduced a green bus route from Solihull this year, presumably due to demand from girls who would have tried for Camp Hill. It’s a lovely school - my daughter had a place there, but we opted for KEHS in the end.