Relocation to Birmingham - Schools

[Beckiran17]

Dear all,

We currently line in Manchester and due to job, will be moving to Birmingham end of this year. We have a Y2 boy and we have been looking for places in prep schools around Edgbaston. Hallfield have confirmed that a place is available. However, as I was researching, I found that the secondary school options are very limited? Our first choice is King Edward School, however, Edgbaston does not now fall in to the Grammar School catchment areas? I would be very grateful for thoughts on which area of Birmingham both has good private secondary schools and good state secondary schools? Our son loves his current prep school and Hallfield seemed like a good choice for primary, but worried about secondary. Our jobs are in the centre of Birmingham, next to Snow Hill. Thank you.

Obviously the opening line should read - 'We currently live in Manchester'

If you're able to pay for secondary, you needn't worry. KES is competitive, but other boys from Edgbaston preps go to Solihull or Bromsgrove Schools if they don't get into KES (there are coaches from Harborne/Edgbaston) or to the smaller local private schools - St George's or the Priory. There's also Old Swinford Hospital in Stourbridge which is a popular state boarding school.

Edgbaston is in the catchment for KE Handsworth Grammar School - or if you choose to live in Harborne, it's in the catchment for KE Five Ways, so you would have grammar options too. It's just that previously, Edgbaston parents preferred KE Camp Hill as it's more prestigious - mainly due to its superior exam results. Bear in mind though that its historic exam results are due to it having the highest cut off score at 11 plus (before catchments were introduced this year). Basically Camp Hill used to cream off the highest scorers from across the midlands.

If you're actually looking for a good comprehensive as your preference, you would possibly want to look at Sutton Coldfield or Solihull - or even going further out to Bromsgrove or Hagley. But there doesn't seem much point worrying about that if you're able to pay?

Thank you so much for your time. We live in Manchester, where we have Grammar school at our door step and also option for Independent schools. With us moving in-between school year and as our son is in a prep school currently, the Estate Agents steered us towards West House, Blue Coat and Hallfield prep. We spent the weekend driving around the area and with Hallfields confirming a place, narrowed down on Edgbaston. It was only when I looked at secondary school options, we realised that we were limited to KES. I can fully understand how fierce competition can be for KES and hence wanted to ensure we have few other options too.

Have not got around to understanding how the Grammar schools within Birmingham compare against each other, but suspect with catchment areas just being introduced, they could change. We also have not driven around Harborne. Sounds like we need too :-)

Ideally, we would've wanted to rent for a year and then buy. However, in current climate, apprehensive of renting our current house and hence going down the route of selling :-)

Nervous and excited! Thank you again @crazycrofter, really appreciate your response!

Bear in mind that KE Five Ways is mixed and Handsworth is boys only if that makes a difference to you. They are also in very different settings - semi-rural, modern buildings vs old site near the centre of Birmingham. You may want to visit them (as and when you’re able) to see which you prefer.

I would second looking at Harborne as an area to look at. I would only worry about catchment areas if you cannot afford to pay for schools. Edgbaston and Harborne are good areas to live but if your DC doesn’t get into a grammar school, the other school options, now, there are grammar school catchment areas, are effectively secondary moderns and may not be what you are looking for. If you can pay for a school however you will have plenty of choice.

If there is a risk you may not be able to pay, then definitely look at moving further out to places like Warwick or Leamington where there are good state schools and quick fast trains which take you directly to Snow Hill.

Hello, I wonder which prep and secondary you sent your boys to?
(Also from Manchester, attended Bowdon Prep School myself and all the boys in my family attended Altrincham Prep School). I am in Edgbaston currently and looking at schools for DS, would be so appreciative for any advice or experiences you have had in Birmingham so far!