King Edward's School Birmingham

United Kingdom, Birmingham

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English

Fees £23,085

Ages 11 - 18 years

Pupil numbers 900

Type Boys School

Opened 1552

Bus Service No

Availability Not shared by this school

Academic offering

Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum

Taught languages French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Latin

Strengths Performing Arts, Sport, Languages

Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies

Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form

Introduction

King Edward's School Birmingham is a historic boys' day school for ages 11–18 on a 50‑acre campus beside the University of Birmingham. Founded in 1552 by King Edward VI, it offers the IB Diploma Programme alongside the British curriculum. The Lower School includes core and creative subjects such as Art, Music, Design, Drama and Sport/PE, with Latin compulsory for three years and Classical Greek available in Year 9. At GCSE, pupils take ten subjects, including English, Maths, a language and at least two sciences. In the Sixth Form, students study A Levels, often alongside the Extended Project Qualification and an enrichment programme. SEND support is provided. Notable facilities include the 1930s Big School, a large library, and the Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Performing Arts Centre (400-seat concert hall, 120-seat studio theatre); the Andrew Brode Wing houses science labs and modern languages. The campus features a 25‑metre pool and extensive sports facilities, and KEHS collaboration supports performing arts within a broad co‑curricular programme.

www.kes.org.uk

Gallery

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Vibes and Culture

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The Essentials

Location

The school is located on Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, England, B15 2UA. It sits on a 50‑acre site next to the University of Birmingham and shares the campus with King Edward VI High School for Girls, located less than three miles from Birmingham city centre.

Stages

Around 900 pupils aged 11 to 18; the majority join at age 11 and remain through to the Sixth Form, with some pupils joining the Sixth Form.

Type

Boys' day school

Additional learning support

SEND provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Country affiliation

United Kingdom

School day structure

Pupils may arrive from 7:30am; breakfast is served from 7:45am to 8:35am; registration begins around 8:45am to 8:55am; lessons start at 9:10am. The normal day ends at 4:00pm (Monday–Thursday) and 3:20pm on Fridays, with after‑school supervised study or co‑curricular activities available. All pupils must leave site by 6:00pm (Monday–Thursday) and by 5:00pm on Friday unless in a supervised activity.

Bus service

Bus and transport options include regular local services: the 61 and 63 along Bristol Road, the 76 to Solihull, and the 1S service between Solihull and the city centre; National Express West Midlands services are also available, and Tripable provides school‑specific transport; Zeelo will introduce private coach routes from September 2026.

Diving Deeper

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Fees

Application fees and acceptance deposit

- A non‑refundable registration fee is payable at application: £50 (plus VAT to make £60) for main entry points (11+ and 16+). For applicants at other entry points the registration fee is £150 (plus VAT to make £180).
- An acceptance deposit of £400 is payable when a fee‑paying place is accepted. The deposit is refunded when a pupil leaves the school, less any unpaid fees or charges.

Tuition fees by year group (Senior School: Years 7–13)

- Single published termly rate for all senior year groups (Years 7–13): £6,413 per term (exclusive of VAT). The termly amount including VAT is £7,695. Year groups in the senior school are charged at this standard tuition rate.
- Annual tuition (three terms per academic year):
- Pre‑VAT: £6,413 × 3 = £19,239 per year.
- Including VAT: £7,695 × 3 = £23,085 per year.
- The published tuition fee covers the core tuition; specific inclusions for the tuition fee (text books and external exam entry charges for public examinations) are shown in the school's fees schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are payable not later than the first day of each term. Termly payment or monthly payment by direct debit are accepted arrangements. Monthly payments are collected by direct debit.
- Fees invoices and payments must be made as cleared funds before the commencement of the School Term to which they relate. The school may refuse a payment if it is not satisfied as to the identity of the payer or the source of funds. Overdue sums may attract interest and administration charges.
- If parents do not give the required notice to withdraw a pupil, one Term's fees in lieu of notice will be charged; similar notice and cancellation provisions are set out in the school's parental contract.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable: King Edward's School is an independent day school for boys (no boarding places are offered).

Other costs and typical supplementary charges

- Catering: Lunch is charged at £4.75 per day. Catering charges are calculated termly in advance based on the number of catering days in the coming term; Year 7 pupils are required to take the lunch system, while Year 8–11 pupils may opt in or out on a termly basis. Sixth Form catering arrangements differ and have a range of options. Catering charges are billed separately from tuition.
- Extra tuition and activities: Private music lessons, school camps, compulsory or optional educational trips, Combined Cadet Force subscription, some subject field trips and other extracurricular activities are charged in addition to tuition. Examples from the school fees schedule (illustrative prices from recent years) include a Shells (Year 7) camping trip and a Removes (Year 8) week trip; these trips and other compulsory charges are invoiced separately.
- Compulsory kit and uniform: Full school uniform (blazer, tie, white shirt, black trousers and formal shoes) is required for all pupils; PE and games kit prescribed by staff must be purchased where required. Parents are responsible for purchasing the required uniform and sports kit; assisted‑place pupils may be eligible for a uniform grant under the Assisted Places arrangements.
- Miscellaneous charges: Films, theatre visits, transport for trips, field‑trip admissions and specialist course costs may be charged as appropriate and invoiced during the year.

Discounts and financial assistance

- Sibling discount: a tuition fee sibling discount is available where parents have three or more children on full fees at King Edward's School or King Edward VI High School for Girls simultaneously; a 25% discount is applied (details and eligibility handled by the Bursar). The school also operates means‑tested assisted places and scholarships at the 11+ and 16+ entry points.

Refunds and cancellation

- Acceptance deposit: the acceptance deposit (£400) is refundable when a pupil leaves, less any unpaid fees and charges.
- Cancellation rights: where a place is offered and accepted entirely at a distance, parents have a statutory right to cancel within a 14‑day period; in such cases the acceptance deposit and any fees paid will be refunded (pro‑rated if the school has already provided services). If parents withdraw a pupil after the cancellation period, one Term's Written Notice is required or one Term's fees in lieu of notice will be payable, except where a pupil leaves at the natural end of Year 13.
- Non‑payment and exclusion: the school may exclude a pupil for overdue payments; exclusion for non‑payment of 28 days or more is treated as withdrawal without notice and a Term's fees in lieu of notice becomes payable. Late payments may attract interest (the school's terms allow interest to be charged on overdue invoices) and recovery costs.

Fee payment options and how supplementary charges are collected

- The school accepts termly payment (fees due as cleared funds before each term) or monthly payment by direct debit for tuition fees. Supplementary charges (for example catering and other supplementary invoices) are billed and collected through the school's supplementary charging system (the school's fees schedule notes these are managed separately from tuition). Parents should follow the payment instructions on school invoices.

Insurance included in the fee

- Personal accident insurance for pupils is included within the school fees; there is no additional charge for this cover. Claims under the policy are handled through the insurer and contact details are provided by the school.

Academics

Curriculum

The Lower School offers a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on core subjects and creative subjects such as Art, Music, Design, Drama, and Sport/PE. Latin is compulsory for three years, and in Year 9 pupils can study Classical Greek. At GCSE, boys take 10 subjects with English Language, English Literature, Maths, one language and at least two sciences compulsory, with options including Art, Ancient Greek, Design and Technology, Drama, Geography, German, History, Latin, Music, PE, Religious Studies and Spanish. In the Sixth Form, pupils study A Levels beginning with four subjects, and many also take the Extended Project Qualification; an enrichment curriculum accompanies academic study. SEND support is provided to meet the needs of all pupils.

Exam Results

IB Diploma results 2026 show Higher Level IB grade 7 equates to an A, 7/6 to A/A, and 7/6/5 to A/A/B; 46% of HL grades were 7; 78% were 7/6; 94% were 7/6/5. The average points score per pupil was 38.20, with 46% of pupils scoring 40 points or more; one pupil scored 45 points and 17 pupils achieved 43+; average per subject was 6.6. GCSE results 2025 show 67.29% of grades were 9/8 (A), and 84.28% were 9/8/7 (A/A). The school reintroduced A Levels in September 2025. The school's results are published alongside university destinations, with examples of top university destinations continuing to feature Oxford, Imperial, Durham and other Russell Group universities, and US destinations also represented.

Higher Education Progression

Pupils consistently go on to study at leading universities, with destinations including Oxford and Cambridge, top London universities, and courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Economics, Law and Engineering; staff provide UCAS form help and interview practice to position pupils for the next stage. Destinations and pathways are showcased in the University Destinations section, including examples from recent cohorts and the option of studying overseas, including in the US.

Wellbeing

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Parent Experience

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Facilities

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Extra-Curricular Activities

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Languages

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Reputation

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Admissions

King Edward's School aims to educate able boys regardless of background and uses a selection process that combines the entrance examination, school reports, and interviews to identify candidates who can benefit from the School's education and contribute to its life. The normal entry points are 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Sixth Form), with occasional placement in other year groups if places are available. The School does not accept applications from international students; boys must hold a UK passport or appropriate visas and live locally. To apply for 11+ entry, online registration is the first step, which includes a non‑refundable registration fee of £50+VAT and a requirement to upload a photo; a headteacher's report is requested from the current school. The 11+ entrance examination for 2027 entry comprises two one‑hour papers in English and Mathematics (Verbal Reasoning is no longer included from 2026). After the exam, many applicants are invited to interview, and results are sent by post; a non‑refundable deposit of £400 is required to accept a place. If a place is declined, the offer may be made to a candidate on the reserve list. For 16+ entry, online registration is also required with a £50 registration fee; a headteacher's report is requested; entry consists of interviews and consideration of predicted GCSE results, with offers typically conditional on grades and finalized on GCSE results day. Sixth Form entry also specifies general and subject‑specific GCSE requirements and, in practice, may include a meeting to discuss placement if needed. The admissions process considers applications for Assisted Places and Scholarships, and there are opportunities for different pathways during Year 7 and Year 12 admissions. Parents are kept informed throughout the process by post and via the admissions communications.

Scholarships

Academic and Music scholarships are offered at 11+ (Year 7); there is no separate scholarship exam for Academic scholarships, which are automatic during the entry process, while Music scholarships require an audition and a separate application form. At 16+ (Year 12), Academic, Sport, and Music scholarships are available; Academic scholarships are automatic during the entry process, with no separate scholarship exam; Music scholarships require an audition and can be tied to high levels of musical achievement; Sport scholarships are available for Sixth Form and encourage applicants with substantial sporting commitments or representation; typical scholarship awards reduce fees by about 5–10%. In addition, more than £1.5 million per year is allocated to Assisted Places, which are means-tested and determine the level of financial support based on family income, with up to 25 Assisted Places available in Year 7 and several in the Sixth Form.

Waitlist

Results are communicated by post and a reserve list is used; if a place is declined by an offer holder, the place may be offered to a candidate on the reserve list.

School Events

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FAQs

Where is King Edward's School Birmingham located and what is the campus like?

The school sits on Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2UA, on a 50‑acre site beside the University of Birmingham. It shares the campus with King Edward VI High School for Girls and is located less than three miles from Birmingham city centre. The grounds include extensive sports facilities, modern teaching spaces and a dedicated Performing Arts Centre.

What is the age range and type of King Edward's School Birmingham?

KES Birmingham is a boys' day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. It was founded in 1552 and offers a continuous education from the lower school through to Sixth Form.

What does the curriculum look like in the Lower School and Sixth Form?

The Lower School offers a broad core curriculum plus creative subjects like Art, Music, Design, Drama and Sport/PE, with Latin compulsory for three years and Classical Greek available in Year 9. At GCSE, boys take 10 subjects with English Language and English Literature, Maths, a language, and at least two sciences as compulsory. In the Sixth Form, students study A Levels starting with four subjects and may also take the Extended Project Qualification, supported by an enrichment programme and SEND provision.

What are the tuition fees and how are they billed?

The senior year group tuition is £6,413 per term before VAT, or £7,695 per term including VAT. Fees can be paid termly or monthly by direct debit, with payments due on the first day of each term. An acceptance deposit of £400 is required to secure a place and is refundable when the pupil leaves, subject to any outstanding charges.

Is boarding available at King Edward's School Birmingham?

No. King Edward's School Birmingham is a day school and does not offer boarding places.

Do international families have pathways to apply to the school?

The school does not accept applications from international students; pupils must hold a UK passport or appropriate visas and live locally to be considered.

What scholarships and financial assistance are available?

Academic and Music scholarships are available at 11+ (Year 7); Academic scholarships are automatic in the entry process, while Music scholarships require an audition. At 16+ (Year 12), Academic, Sport and Music scholarships are offered. The school also provides means-tested Assisted Places, with over £1.5 million allocated annually and up to 25 places in Year 7.

Is there a waitlist and how does the admissions reserve list work?

Yes, there is a reserve list. Offers are communicated by post, and if a place is declined by an offer holder, it may be offered to a candidate on the reserve list.

Are there extra costs beyond tuition I should budget for?

Yes. Lunch is charged at £4.75 per day (with Year 7 required to take lunch), and there are additional charges for private music lessons, trips, CCF subscriptions and other activities. Uniform and sports kit are compulsory and billed separately, and some trips or specialist courses may incur extra costs.

Is the acceptance deposit refundable?

Yes. The £400 acceptance deposit is refunded when the pupil leaves, less any unpaid fees or charges. There are also cancellation rights if a place is offered entirely at a distance, with a 14‑day cooling‑off period.

How did the school perform in recent GCSE and IB/A‑level results?

In 2025, GCSE results saw 67.29% of grades at 9/8 and 84.28% at 9/8/7. In 2026, the IB Diploma results showed 46% of Higher Level grades were 7, 78% were 7/6, and 94% were 7/6/5, with an average of 38.20 points and many students achieving high scores. A Levels were reintroduced in September 2025 to continue top university destinations.

Does the school offer Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and enrichment?

Yes. The school offers the Extended Project Qualification as part of its enrichment curriculum, alongside a range of enrichment activities to complement academic study.

Where do students typically go for higher education and what support is provided for UCAS?

Pupils consistently progress to leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, top London universities, and US institutions. Staff provide UCAS form help and interview practice to prepare students for applications and interviews.

What languages are taught and how does language learning work?

French is taught from Year 7, with a second language added in Year 8 from options including French, German and Spanish. GCSE is Edexcel International GCSE, and A Levels are offered in French, German and Spanish. Lessons are conducted predominantly in the target language, with weekly conversation sessions with native language assistants and regular visits and exchanges to France, Spain and Germany.

What are the key facilities on the campus?

The 50‑acre campus includes the Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Performing Arts Centre (400‑seat concert hall and 120‑seat studio), the Andrew Brode Wing with science labs and a Sixth Form Centre, a 25‑metre indoor swimming pool, and extensive sports facilities including eight rugby pitches, four cricket pitches, three astro hockey pitches, a multi‑purpose sports centre opened in 2019, and multiple dining halls.

Is there a dedicated Sixth Form centre and what is it like?

Yes. The Andrew Brode Wing houses laboratories, the Modern Languages Department and a bright Sixth Form Centre, designed to support independent study and a smooth transition to higher education.

Does King Edward's share facilities with KEHS Girls' School?

Yes. The campus sits beside the King Edward VI High School for Girls, and the two schools share facilities on a single 50‑acre site near Birmingham.

What kinds of clubs and extracurricular activities are available?

There are around 50 clubs and societies, including debating, Model United Nations, philosophy, literature, science, chess, drama, drama productions, and music ensembles. Sports clubs cover rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and more, and the arts programme includes strong performing arts opportunities.

What leadership and awards opportunities are available to students?

Leadership development is integrated into the Friday Afternoon programme and Sixth Form enrichment, with opportunities to lead sessions for younger years and participate in Combined Cadet Force. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is also offered, including Gold for Sixth Form students.

What wellbeing and safeguarding support does the school offer?

The school prioritises wellbeing with a pastoral curriculum and staff support, plus a school counsellor and an on‑site mental health practitioner. Safeguarding is overseen by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and formal policies are in place to protect pupil welfare.

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