Secondary School Birmingham

[Folegandros76]

I am moving to Birmingham at the end of this year and I would like to know what are the best areas to live, walk distance, from very good mixed secondary schools? I have two boys who are starting secondary school in a couple of years. I don't want schools only for boys. I would like them to learn how to communicate with girls. I would really appreciate your help!

Birmingham is a large area I think you need to be specific about which areas you would be interested in.

I will be working at UoB, so any area close to the university with excellent mixed secondary schools (comprehensive and grammars).

King Edwards...

There are various KE grammars, tho the two KE schools by the uni are indies.

Oh and also, while each KE school is single sex, they have links to the girls/boys school.

Birmingham is a Grammar school area. The catchments/admissions changed recently. For details on the 11plus exam and chat about the Grammar and other schools, look at elevenplusexams forum.

You probably want to live near UoB school then? That would also be within the KE Five Ways grammar catchment area - that's the only mixed grammar school in Birmingham (although some of the boys grammars take girls in the sixth form.)

UoB School is still untested though as their first GCSE 'results' were 2020 - and of course, exams didn't happen. I'm not sure how good it is as I don't know anyone with kids there. The best schools in Birmingham (apart from Five Ways) are single sex schools though! If you didn't mind single sex, I'd suggest Kings Norton Boys, as it's a nice location and a good school.

For what it's worth, my kids have been to single sex schools (grammar and an independent) and are fine with the opposite sex (dd is now in a mixed sixth form).

Alternatively commute on the train to UoB and live in Sutton Coldfield? There are decent mixed comprehensives there.

Have a look at Haybridge High School. Amazing school with great results. You do need to live close to get a place though.

25 minutes drive to the university.

Birmingham isn't a Grammar Area in the traditional sense; there is a handful of super-selective schools, only one of which is co-ed. (Solihull school is also co-ed, and have really increased the requirements for entry over the last three to five years).

How academic are your children?
And what is your budget?
What sort of place are you coming from, because one person's "excellent" is another's "not my cup of tea".

Presumably your sons are in a mixed primary- have they not learnt to talk to girls yet?