Relocating to Birmingham, year 8 admission

[MasterinAnxiety]

Dear all,

I'm relocating to Birmingham with my child (starting year 8 in sept), and we are looking at state schools for him.

Any advice for a good catchment areas? / Particular schools i have to avoid?
If possible, we'd prefer an area with some public transport access.

How difficult it is to get into something with in-year admission, and perhaps changing school after one year?

Many thanks to you all!

Cheers,

I can't advise too much but from what my friends who work in the city have told me I'd be looking at an academy school rather than a local authority run one.

@Heyha Thanks, that's good to know :)

Which parts of Birmingham? North, or south?

Birmingham is massive. What area are you looking at?

The best schools in Birmingham tend to be grammar schools. In some of the nicer areas, where the main schools are primarily private or grammar, the state schools tend to be less good unfortunately. I’d probably start by researching schools, then consider possible areas to live based on catchment - it’s a big city so lots of options and varied suburbs.

@Flaunch i was looking at initially King's Heath, but it looks like there aren't many choices for rental, so i'm also looking at Bournville, there're loads of places to rent in Bournbrook, but seems there aren't many schools around. Someone has also mentioned neighbourhoods like Harborne, Sutton Coldfield and Solihull.

@DonLewis we'd prefer the southern end if possible

Ah, the south is the best, if I may say so. Bournbrook is where all of the uni students live.

Harborne is expensive and the schools situation is improving.

Shirley might be worth considering, lighthall school is quite good from what I have gathered through friends with children there.

King's heath is great, queensbridge is a fantastic school, with some other options too.