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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
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.

King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2UA

The Essentials

King Edward's School Birmingham has 900 pupils, instruction in English.

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

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a day school and does not offer boarding.

Uniform Requirement
The school has a compulsory uniform. Compulsory items include a blazer, tie, PE shirt, PE shorts, rugby shirt, rugby shorts, games socks, swimming trunks or swim jammers, a warm drill top and warm tracksuit bottoms. The uniform is available from designated suppliers Gogna and Clive Mark Schoolwear; additional items can be bought from other shops; clothing must be clearly named.

Food Options
The school's catering provides a choice of freshly prepared hot and cold meals. Pupils eat in the Dining Hall at morning break or lunchtime; Year 7 must take lunch in the Dining Hall, while Year 8 and above may opt in or out of lunches on a termly basis. Sixth Formers are catered for in the Upper School Common Room and may leave the site to eat; halal and vegetarian options are available.

House System
The House system is an essential part of the KES community and every pupil is allocated to one of eight Houses. The system was created in 1902. The eight Houses are Cary Gilson, Gifford, Evans, Heath, Jeune, Levett, Prince Lee and Vardy.

Governance and Ownership
The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham is governed by The King Edward VI Foundation in Birmingham, a Foundation of independent schools and academies. Governance is coordinated by the King Edward VI Foundation and the King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham, with the Foundation Office handling governance affairs.
Fees

Annual tuition at King Edward's School Birmingham ranges from GBP 23,085 for 2026/27.

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

King Edward's School Birmingham teaches IB (DP), British Curriculum for students aged 11 to 18.

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

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school places health, wellbeing and happiness at the heart of development. The pastoral curriculum builds self-knowledge, emotional literacy and social skills, supported by staff who foster trusting, respectful relationships.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a SEND Department that provides provision for pupils with SEND, led by Ms Wright, Assistant Head (Inclusion), who oversees SEND provision and provision for English as an Additional Language (EAL).

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school has English as an Additional Language provision overseen by the SEND Department.

Mental Wellbeing
The school provides mental health support with a school counsellor and a mental health practitioner based on site, who can work with parents and teachers as appropriate to support pupils.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection are overseen by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Dr Daniel Kennedy. The school maintains safeguarding policies and procedures to promote pupil welfare.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1552 by King Edward VI, the School was formed by the Gild of the Holy Cross in Birmingham and received the Royal Charter on 2 January 1552. It initially occupied the Gild Hall on New Street and educated about 70 boys. A Petty School established in the 1600s acted as a preparatory school, growing to around 40 pupils, and by the 1680s there were close to 200 boys. As Birmingham grew, the School expanded to accommodate more pupils, with the Georgian era marking a period of further development.

Community
King Edward's is steeped in history and forward-looking. The school is one of the country's most diverse independent schools, and it fosters open-mindedness and respect in a supportive environment where every boy is known and valued, with strong bonds of friendship formed. It emphasises belonging and collaboration within a global network of alumni who provide ongoing support for current pupils and graduates.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The King Edward's School Parents' Association (KESPA) brings together parents and staff through a varied programme of events during the year. All parents of students at the school are members by default, with a one-off subscription collected through the school fee. KESPA has three aims: provide events that bring parents and staff together; support the school's activities by engaging new and prospective parents at events; and financially support projects that enhance the students' experience (e.g., travel scholarships and the Leavers' Book). The committee is made up of volunteers from parents and staff, chaired by the Chief Master, with an Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, and meets at least once per term. You can contact us at kespa@kes.org.uk.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school sits on a 50-acre site beside the University of Birmingham. The original 1930s buildings include Big School, an extensive library and large laboratories, with later developments in PE, design & technology, art, science, IT and the library. The Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, opened in 2012, provides a 400-seat concert hall, a 120-seat studio theatre, a dance studio and spaces for teaching, rehearsal and practice of music, dance and drama. The Andrew Brode Wing, opened in 2013, houses laboratories for Physics and Chemistry, a Modern Languages Department and a bright Sixth Form Centre. The campus also features dining halls, a traditional hall and flexible event spaces, with on-site parking and good access to public transport. There is a 25-metre indoor swimming pool.

Sports Facilities
The school has extensive grounds for sport, including eight rugby pitches, four cricket pitches, three astro hockey pitches, five tennis courts, a rifle range, an international-standard athletics track and seven artificial-surfaced cricket nets. In front of the main buildings there are five rugby pitches in winter and three cricket grounds in summer, plus an astro pitch for hockey and football. The Andrew Brode Sports Centre, which opened in 2019, provides a large sports hall, a cardiovascular fitness room, a multipurpose space, a classroom and changing rooms, and there is a 25‑metre indoor swimming pool.

Academic Facilities
The Brode Wing opened in 2013 and houses laboratories for Physics and Chemistry, a Modern Languages Department and a bright Sixth Form Centre. The original 1930s buildings include Big School, an extensive library and large laboratories. Substantial developments have expanded provision for PE, design & technology, art, science and IT. The dining halls and a traditional hall support daily academic life.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Performing Arts Centre includes a 400-seat concert hall, a 120-seat studio theatre and a dance studio for teaching, rehearsals and performances in music, dance and drama. There is also a 90–100 seat black box studio theatre, a rehearsal and multi-use studio with mirrors for dance, a smaller musical room and a foyer/bar area with AV facilities. Both the concert hall and the studio have high production specifications to support events and performances. The PAC is located in Chantry Court with views across the grounds, and its spaces are used to support a vibrant arts extracurricular programme.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has a thriving debating culture, with a thriving debating society that meets weekly for friendlies, practice and external competitions, and it runs associated debating events for KS3 and primary schools. There are around 50 clubs and societies that meet lunchtime or after school, spanning philosophy, politics, literature, science and other academic interests. Agora, Anagnostics, History Society, Psychology Society, Model United Nations and other societies provide regular opportunities to develop thinking skills, public speaking and scholarly curiosity.

Arts & Creative
There are extensive music and performing arts opportunities, including Choral Society (joint with KEHS), Concert Orchestra, Training String Orchestra, KES/KEHS Big Band, KES/KEHS Symphony Orchestra and Wind Band. Senior Art Club and an array of instrumental ensembles (including Guitar Ensemble and other chamber groups) support creative work, with Centrepieces as a four-part a cappella group. Stage-related activities and theatre productions are complemented by opportunities to perform and create across the arts.

Cultural & Language
Cultural and religious societies include African and Caribbean Society, Hindu Forum and Sikh Society, as well as Christian Union, reflecting a broad multicultural engagement. The school runs Model United Nations and a Sustainability Society, and collaborates with KEHS on joint performing arts and other activities. There are frequent cultural trips and events that complement classroom learning and broaden international perspectives.

Social & Hobbies
A wide range of clubs and hobbies meet lunchtime or after school, including Chess Club, Debating Society, Drama Club, Dungeons and Dragons, Geocaching Club, Eton Fives, Fencing, Training String Orchestra, Warhammer Club, Ultimate Frisbee and Water Polo. There are also sport-focused clubs such as Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Rugby and Tennis, plus informal activities like Centrepieces, Table Tennis and various music ensembles. The breadth of options supports informal interests, social groups and peer-to-peer activities throughout the year.

Community & Service
Service to the community is embedded in school life through the Personal Service Group (PSG), which places around 70 boys from Year 10 upwards on weekly community placements. The KES Food Bank and the KEHB (King Edward's Home Bank) support local families and vulnerable groups, with donations and care-packaging organised by students. The Partnerships programme provides free masterclasses, workshops, competitions and concerts for local primary schools, complemented by ongoing fundraising activities and Cot Fund support for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development is a core feature of the Friday Afternoon programme and Sixth Form enrichment, with students leading sessions for younger years in leadership and sports, plus involvement in Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Sixth Form Enrichment emphasises taking the lead on projects and developing transferable skills that support university and future careers. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is part of the co‑curricular options, including Gold-level participation for Sixth Form students.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport is central to school life, with rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics and tennis forming the main winter and summer sports and more than 80 teams competing in over 700 fixtures each year. The campus provides extensive facilities, including multiple pitches, a 25-metre pool and the Andrew Brode Sports Centre. Mindfulness and other wellbeing and extracurricular activities (including various fitness and recreational clubs) are available as part of the broader co-curricular schedule.
Languages

Language Provision
The Modern Languages Department teaches French, German, and Spanish. All boys are taught French from Year 7; in Year 8, a second language is added with a free choice of two from French, German, and Spanish, and both languages are continued in Year 9, after which they choose which one or two to take through to GCSE. The GCSE course is Edexcel International GCSE, and A Level courses are offered in French, German, and Spanish with lessons conducted predominantly in the target language, complemented by weekly conversation sessions with native language assistants. Beyond the classroom, there are regular visits to France, Spain, and Germany and exchanges with European schools to practise language skills and explore culture.
Admissions

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
The school has not added events
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