Best Grammar Schools in Birmingham in 2026
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There are 8 grammar schools in Birmingham, all part of the King Edward VI Foundation. All eight schools use a single shared entrance exam, the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test.
Birmingham is home to eight outstanding grammar schools, all consistently ranked among the best state secondary schools in the country. This guide covers every school, catchment areas, the admissions process, and exactly how to prepare your child to compete for a place.
Full list of grammar schools in Birmingham
There are eight grammar schools in Birmingham. Every single one is part of the King Edward VI Foundation, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational charities in England. All eight schools share the same admissions process, the same entrance exam, and all are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
Here is the complete list of grammar schools in Birmingham:
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
King Edward VI Five Ways School
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
King Edward VI Aston School
Top grammar schools in Birmingham ranked for 2026
All eight are genuinely excellent schools, and every one of them is rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
1. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
Location: Kings Heath, Birmingham
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls is one of the finest state secondary schools in the entire country. Ofsted describes it as "inspirational and exceptional," and its results consistently place it among the top 20 state schools nationally. The school provides a genuinely outstanding academic environment alongside exceptional pastoral care.
The facilities are impressive: 11 science labs, computer suites, an environmental geography hub, an art and design centre, a dedicated fitness suite and a swimming pool. For girls aiming for the most competitive universities, Camp Hill Girls is one of the very best options available anywhere in England.
2. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
Location: Kings Heath, Birmingham
Located in Kings Heath, Camp Hill Boys is ranked within the top 50 state secondary schools nationally. Ofsted has repeatedly rated it Outstanding, praising its relentless pursuit of excellence. The school cultivates a warm, inclusive community where students support one another and are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Academic results are exceptional, and students have access to an impressive range of clubs, activities and careers support. The school has a strong tradition of producing high achievers and sends students to leading universities every year.
3. Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Founded in 1527, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is one of the oldest schools in England. Based in Sutton Coldfield, it teaches boys aged 11 to 18 and welcomes girls into the sixth form. The school is proud of its diverse, inclusive community and holds UNICEF Rights Respecting School status.
The school is among the best grammar schools in Birmingham for university destinations and is ranked in the top 50 state schools nationally.
4. King Edward VI Five Ways School
Location: Bartley Green, Birmingham
King Edward VI Five Ways School is the highest-ranked co-educational grammar school in Birmingham and one of only a handful of mixed grammar schools anywhere in England. Founded in 1883 and Ofsted-rated Outstanding, the school has a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and a strong student leadership culture.
Set on a generous 32-acre site south of Birmingham, the facilities are excellent: specialist humanities and creative arts rooms, a large sports complex, a food technology centre, and a new music school with its own recording studio. Five Ways is a popular choice for families who want a mixed grammar school environment without compromising on academic results.
5. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Founded in 1929, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is located north-east of Birmingham and was established as a partner school to Bishop Vesey's. The school places a strong emphasis on pastoral care and a growth mindset culture, helping students see the value of effort and steady progress over time.
The school offers a wide range of clubs and activities, with notable strengths in STEM, sport and the arts.
6. King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Location: Handsworth, Birmingham
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys has been educating Birmingham boys since 1883 and is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. It is part of the King Edward VI Foundation and takes part in the same shared entrance exam as all other Birmingham grammar schools.
The percentage of A* grades at the school remains significantly above the national average, reflecting a consistently high standard of teaching and student achievement. The school is an excellent choice for boys in the Handsworth and north-west Birmingham area.
7. King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
Location: Handsworth, Birmingham
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls is a grammar school for girls aged 11 to 18, located in Handsworth, Birmingham. It has been part of the King Edward VI Foundation since 1883 and is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. The school is highly competitive, with only around one in ten applicants successfully passing the entrance exam each year.
The school has a specialist arts and science focus and four distinct school houses, creating a strong community feel within a large school environment.
8. King Edward VI Aston School
Location: Frederick Road, Aston
King Edward VI Aston School is one of the oldest schools in Birmingham, founded in 1883. Located in Aston, it is an Outstanding-rated all-boys grammar school with a rich history and a strong academic tradition. The school was one of 12 original schools in the King Edward VI Foundation and has been educating Birmingham boys for over 140 years.
Recent additions to the school include a new sports hall, a state-of-the-art catering facility, and a new language department building. KE Aston is well regarded for its strong sixth form and its university progression record.
Birmingham grammar schools catchment area explained
One of the most common questions parents ask us is whether Birmingham grammar schools have catchment areas. The honest answer is: yes, but they work very differently from most people expect.
For all eight Birmingham grammar schools, the primary admissions criterion is performance in the 11 plus exam, not where you live. The vast majority of places are allocated purely on the highest scores, regardless of where the child lives within the wider region.
Catchment area comes into play only as a tie-breaker. If two children achieve the same score and there is only one place remaining, the child who lives closer to the school will be offered it. Beyond this very specific scenario, distance and catchment do not affect admissions decisions for most applicants.
How to apply: the admissions process step by step
The admissions process for Birmingham grammar schools is straightforward once you understand the two distinct steps: registering for the entrance test, and applying for a school place via the Common Application Form. Both are required, and missing either one will affect your child's chances.
1. Register for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test
Registration opens in early May 2026 and closes in late June 2026 via the West Midlands Grammar Schools registration portal. One registration covers all 8 Birmingham grammar schools and the wider 19-school consortium. Do not miss this window. Registration is a separate step from applying for a school place.
2. Your child sits the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test
The exam takes place in September of Year 6. Your child is allocated a test centre, which may be any of the participating grammar schools. Two multiple-choice papers cover English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. There are no written answer sections.
3. Exam results released
Results confirm whether your child has achieved the qualifying score (205 for KE Foundation schools) and the priority score (224). Schools are notified of which children have reached each threshold. You have a short window between results and the CAF deadline.
4. Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to Birmingham City Council
The CAF is the form through which you formally apply for a secondary school place. Submit it to Birmingham City Council online by 31st October. List your grammar school preferences in order. Always include at least one non-selective school as a backup. Missing this deadline is serious and significantly reduces your child's chances.
5. National Offer Day
School allocations are confirmed by your local authority. You will be notified of which school your child has been offered a place at. If you did not receive your first choice, you can be placed on a waiting list for higher-ranked schools and can also appeal the decision.
How to prepare your child for the Birmingham 11 plus
Competition for places at the best grammar schools in Birmingham is fierce. Only around 10 to 20% of applicants receive a place each year, and at the most sought-after schools the qualifying threshold is significantly higher than the minimum score. Thorough, structured preparation is essential.
Here is how we help families at Pass 11 Plus Grammar build the skills their child needs to compete.
Start with expert tuition as early as possible
The children who achieve the highest scores are almost always those who have been preparing consistently from Year 3 or Year 4. Our 11 plus tuition covers all four subjects tested in the Birmingham exam: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Sessions are available in-person at our Edgbaston centre and online, in small groups with expert tutors who know the Birmingham exam inside out.
Work with a specialist 11 plus tutor
A specialist tutor does more than set practice papers. They identify exactly what is holding your child back, teach the underlying skills needed to improve, and provide honest feedback that home practice alone cannot give you. Our 11 plus tutors have over 30 years of experience preparing Birmingham children for grammar school entry and a 97% success rate placing students in their chosen schools.
Practise with free papers at home
Familiarity with the GL Assessment format is essential. Our free 11+ practice papers cover all four subjects in the Birmingham exam format and are available to download right now at no cost. Regular timed practice at home between tuition sessions builds both speed and accuracy.
Attend an intensive course in the summer
The summer before the September exam is the most effective time for a focused boost. Our 11 plus intensive summer course runs across the summer holidays in small groups, covering all GL Assessment subjects with experienced tutors and timed practice built into every session. It is designed to bring your child's skills to their sharpest point in the weeks before the exam.
Sit a full mock exam before the real thing
Nothing reduces exam anxiety like familiarity with what the real exam feels like. Our 11 plus mock exams replicate the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test as closely as possible, with two full papers under timed conditions and detailed feedback on performance by subject. Sitting a mock exam is one of the most valuable things your child can do before September.
Register for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test by late June 2026
Attend open days at each school your child is considering
Begin or continue structured 11 plus tuition covering all four subjects
Download and use free practice papers regularly at home under timed conditions
Book an intensive summer course for focused preparation before the exam
Sit at least one full mock exam in July or August before the September test
Aim for a score above the priority threshold of 224 for the strongest chances
Submit your CAF to Birmingham City Council by 31st October 2026
Final thoughts
The best grammar schools in Birmingham are among the finest state secondary schools in England. At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, we have been helping Birmingham children earn places at these schools. Our 97% success rate speaks for itself. Whether your child is in Year 3 just beginning their journey, or in Year 5 preparing for next September, we are here to help them get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are there in Birmingham?
There are 8 grammar schools in Birmingham, all part of the King Edward VI Foundation. They are: King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, King Edward VI Five Ways School, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls and King Edward VI Aston School.
What is the best grammar school in Birmingham?
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls is the best grammar school in Birmingham, ranked in the top 20 state secondary schools nationally. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys and Bishop Vesey's Grammar School are also among the top grammar schools in England.
Do Birmingham grammar schools have a catchment area?
Yes, but the primary admissions criterion is performance in the 11 plus exam, not where you live. Catchment area and distance only come into play as tie-breakers when two children achieve the same score.
Mr Singh
Founder, Pass 11 Plus Grammar
Mr Singh is the founder of Pass 11 Plus Grammar, with over 30 years of teaching experience. Having overcome academic setbacks himself, he is passionate about ensuring no child struggles alone. His approach focuses on personalised support, strong foundations, and building confidence. He has helped students achieve outstanding results in 11+ and GCSE examinations
