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Original poster

KE Handworth vs KES Edgebaston

17 replies

agshishir · 17/08/2024 12:36

Hi,
Can you please share previous experiences of KE Handsworth Grammer Boys school. My son has been offered a place in there and also in the KES Edgebaston independent school. We are unable to chose between the 2. Obviously independent is very expensive but I want to know Handsworth experiences as its affordable but we heard so much bad about it that we aren't sure.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 18/08/2024 08:50

What was the impression your DS got at the induction day at Handsworth? Or has the place only just become available? (Please don't say that you have been sitting on a state grammar place and a place at the independent school since March 1st?).

The elevenplusexams forum has area specific sections, where you may get more of a response from people familiar with the school, or possibly even both of them for different DC.
www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewforum.php?f=11

Original poster
agshishir · 23/08/2024 10:34

MarchingFrogs · 18/08/2024 08:50

What was the impression your DS got at the induction day at Handsworth? Or has the place only just become available? (Please don't say that you have been sitting on a state grammar place and a place at the independent school since March 1st?).

The elevenplusexams forum has area specific sections, where you may get more of a response from people familiar with the school, or possibly even both of them for different DC.
www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewforum.php?f=11

Sorry who are you and why I need to explain to you. Are you a parent who can share the experience? I was looking to hear from parents rather than someone who looking to promote

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 23/08/2024 11:37

agshishir · 23/08/2024 10:34

Sorry who are you and why I need to explain to you. Are you a parent who can share the experience? I was looking to hear from parents rather than someone who looking to promote

Show quote history

Blimey, not 'promoting' anything - just pointing you in the direction of a place where you might just get a bit more of a response, as the Birmingham etc section of the forum is usually quite busy.

It's not like people are actually falling over themselves to share their experiences of either school let alone a personal comparison of both, on here, is it? Six days since you posted and the only reply you've had was mine.

From your response, I and I suspect others, will assume that you have been hanging on to a state place that you don't necessarily intend your DS to turn up to in 10 days' time. I mean, it's not Camp Hill, is it...

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 23/08/2024 18:57

Because holding onto a state placement when you have the means to pay independent stops a child whose parents cannot afford independent from getting a deserved place at a prestigious grammar school.

DS goes to Five Ways. All the KEVI grammar schools are excellent in Birmingham.

Readandsew · 24/08/2024 17:55

Have you accepted the place at KES edgbaston, for this September,? Or is it a late offer? choosing Handsworth if you have accepted the KES Edgbaston place will mean that you will have to pay the first terms fees. Both schools are excellent academic schools, and your son will doubtless gain very similar GCSE and A level grades at either. Will he participate in the extra curricular at Edgbaston? Which is the easiest for him to travel to and from? Does he know anyone else going to either. But fundamentally, the most important factor for Edgbaston is can you afford it for all the years he will be there?

Readandsew · 24/08/2024 17:57

To add, this is not just a general view, I have good friends in Birmingham and have seen them negotiate the grammar versus independent school decision

Original poster
agshishir · 25/08/2024 09:34

Readandsew · 24/08/2024 17:55

Have you accepted the place at KES edgbaston, for this September,? Or is it a late offer? choosing Handsworth if you have accepted the KES Edgbaston place will mean that you will have to pay the first terms fees. Both schools are excellent academic schools, and your son will doubtless gain very similar GCSE and A level grades at either. Will he participate in the extra curricular at Edgbaston? Which is the easiest for him to travel to and from? Does he know anyone else going to either. But fundamentally, the most important factor for Edgbaston is can you afford it for all the years he will be there?

He got a late offer from Handsworth but we heard that its not the best school, hence reconsidering.

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Lifeinlists · 25/08/2024 09:40

If you can afford KES then take it. It's one of the top schools in the country. You'll have to pay a term's fees at this stage anyway.

Original poster
agshishir · 25/08/2024 09:57

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 23/08/2024 18:57

Because holding onto a state placement when you have the means to pay independent stops a child whose parents cannot afford independent from getting a deserved place at a prestigious grammar school.

DS goes to Five Ways. All the KEVI grammar schools are excellent in Birmingham.

Its not easy for us to pay for independent but we didnt had the choice before as the state school which was offered, we didnt wanted him to go there. He recently got offered from Handsworth but we haven't heard good things about it hence looking for real experiences so that we can make an informed decision.

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Original poster
agshishir · 25/08/2024 10:06

Readandsew · 24/08/2024 17:55

Have you accepted the place at KES edgbaston, for this September,? Or is it a late offer? choosing Handsworth if you have accepted the KES Edgbaston place will mean that you will have to pay the first terms fees. Both schools are excellent academic schools, and your son will doubtless gain very similar GCSE and A level grades at either. Will he participate in the extra curricular at Edgbaston? Which is the easiest for him to travel to and from? Does he know anyone else going to either. But fundamentally, the most important factor for Edgbaston is can you afford it for all the years he will be there?

No in both schools, he doesn't know any other kids. We got 2 other kids from nearby and looking to pool for travel. Yes he will certainly participate in other activities specially swimming.

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MarchingFrogs · 25/08/2024 18:11

Paging @crazycrofter here who, I believe, has / recently had a DS at Handsworth.

crazycrofter · 25/08/2024 21:28

Yes, ds left two years ago and I rate Handsworth highly. I also had a dd at KEHS in Edgbaston so could compare. What do you want to know @agshishir ?

Original poster
agshishir · 03/09/2024 08:27

crazycrofter · 25/08/2024 21:28

Yes, ds left two years ago and I rate Handsworth highly. I also had a dd at KEHS in Edgbaston so could compare. What do you want to know @agshishir ?

Thanks for your message. Just wanted to know generally how it is, environment, teaching etc. From your message I guess its all good anyway

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crazycrofter · 03/09/2024 09:12

Yes all good, the usual mix of teachers, some better than others, but they're generally very conscientious and supportive. Various different activities to get involved in after school, music is quite big, the main sports are football, basketball, cricket and table tennis.

The main difference between KES and Handsworth is the amount of extra curricular on offer and I imagine (if it's like the girls school) there is more time spent off timetable and more trips. In our experience this is mainly of benefit in years 7-9, and the exam years are very similar.

LetItGoToRuin · 03/09/2024 09:20

I don't have personal experience of KE Handsworth Boys, but a friend's DS goes there - he has just done his GCSEs. They have been delighted with the school.

Another friend's DS goes to KES Edgbaston and is thriving. He didn't get a good enough score in the 11 plus for a place at KE Handsworth Boys.

So, on academics, there's probably not a lot to choose between them, but of course the experience will be very different between private and state, for other reasons.

Original poster
agshishir · 10/09/2024 10:26

LetItGoToRuin · 03/09/2024 09:20

I don't have personal experience of KE Handsworth Boys, but a friend's DS goes there - he has just done his GCSEs. They have been delighted with the school.

Another friend's DS goes to KES Edgbaston and is thriving. He didn't get a good enough score in the 11 plus for a place at KE Handsworth Boys.

So, on academics, there's probably not a lot to choose between them, but of course the experience will be very different between private and state, for other reasons.

Oh man, he is spoiled with the choice. He has been offered Aston as well just today, now more confusion lol

OP posts:
crazycrofter · 10/09/2024 10:47

There's really not much difference between Handsworth and Aston, except for in sport where Aston are more 'traditional grammar' (ie rugby!) and Handsworth focus on football and basketball. If you're not choosing KES then I would decide between the other two based on ease of travel, as this is what will impact you and your son more than anything else.

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