King Edward VI Handsworth School
Birmingham, B21 9AR · Birmingham · Grammar school
Check the area around this school
2nd of 88 secondary schools in Birmingham we can score, 89 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 10.0/10 against 880 of them, against 9.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 99.5 · 100 | 46% | 4.59 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.8 · 94 | 38% | 3.61 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 76.2 · 99 | 15% | 1.52 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
King Edward VI Handsworth School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 98.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 74.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.8 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (10.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,365 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,060. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school manage class sizes when operating significantly above its designated capacity? What specific support structures are in place to maintain the high Progress 8 scores for all students? How does the admissions process handle the current oversubscription for new entry years?
What Ofsted said about King Edward VI Handsworth School
Overview
This inspection found a school where pupils thrive due to "high expectations of their academic and personal development." The report highlights a culture of "mutual respect" and "outstanding" behaviour, with students achieving excellent examination results and receiving robust support for their future careers.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "maturity" and "respect for others," managing themselves well with minimal staff intervention.
- The curriculum is "carefully sequenced" to ensure pupils are "fully prepared for success in their examinations."
- Teachers show "impressive subject knowledge," fostering a "personal enthusiasm for learning" and intellectual independence, particularly in the sixth form.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities have their needs "expertly identified" and receive appropriate adaptations to achieve well.
- The school provides "excellent advice and guidance around careers," supporting applications for university and apprenticeships.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum lacks "meaningful opportunities to discuss their learning," limiting pupils' ability to deepen understanding or develop oracy skills.
- The school should ensure a strategy is in place to support the "effective development of oracy across the curriculum."
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 77.3 |
| 2024/25 | 74.2 |
| 2025/26 | 76.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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