Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre

Seven decades after opening its doors as Bartley Green Grammar School for Girls, Hillcrest continues to provide girls in south-west Birmingham with an education that combines academic ambition with genuine pastoral warmth. The school occupies attractive grounds in the California area of Bartley Green, serving approximately 650 students from Year 7 through to sixth form. Results place Hillcrest comfortably within the middle 35% of schools in England, but what distinguishes this school is its consistent value-added performance. A Progress 8 score of +0.46 indicates students make significantly above-average progress from their starting points. With 71% of sixth form leavers progressing to university in 2024, the school provides a credible pathway to higher education for girls who might otherwise be overlooked.

The school's values are direct and unpretentious: work hard, be kind, and aim high. Leaders describe themselves as unapologetically aspirational, a phrase that captures both the ambition and the practical determination that shapes daily life here. The combination of traditional values with contemporary teaching methods creates an environment where academic rigour sits alongside inclusive community spirit.

Hillcrest's identity as a girls-only environment until sixth form is central to its character. Pupils benefit from a distinctive emphasis on what women can achieve, as noted in the most recent inspection. This is not performative feminism but practical encouragement woven through curriculum and culture.

The 2022 Ofsted inspection found pupils to be hard-working, polite and welcoming. They enjoy coming to school and achieve well. Teachers are passionate about how best to plan and sequence their lessons, with a real commitment to continual improvement evident across departments.

Mr S Abbotts leads the school, continuing a tradition of stability that has served the institution well since its transformation from grammar school to comprehensive in 1983. The school converted to academy status in 2013 but continues to coordinate admissions through Birmingham City Council, maintaining its community roots while gaining operational independence.

GCSE Results

Results tell a story of consistent improvement and strong value-added performance. In 2024, the Attainment 8 score reached 49.8, placing Hillcrest 34th among Birmingham's secondary schools and 1,605th in England (FindMySchool ranking). This represents solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England.

The headline figures show 25% of GCSE grades at 9-7, with 11% at the highest grades of 9-8. These numbers sit slightly below the England average of 54% for grades 9-7, but the Progress 8 score of +0.46 reveals what raw attainment cannot: students here make substantially better progress than would be predicted from their starting points. This value-added performance places Hillcrest among the more effective schools in the region for academic development.

The English Baccalaureate figures show 37% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above across the EBacc subject combination, with an EBacc average point score of 4.77. This exceeds the England average of 4.08, suggesting particular strength in the core academic disciplines.

A-Level Results

The sixth form delivers consistently strong outcomes. At A-level, 64% of grades fell within A*-B in 2024, comfortably exceeding the England average of 47%. Nearly a quarter of grades reached A* or A. The school has achieved a 100% pass rate for twelve consecutive years, a record of consistency that speaks to careful student guidance and appropriate course selection.

Hillcrest ranks 764th in England for A-level performance and 14th in Birmingham (FindMySchool ranking), placing it within the upper reaches of local provision and in line with the middle 35% of schools in England for sixth form outcomes. The combined GCSE and A-level ranking of 751st in England reflects a school performing above expectations across both key stages.

Individual achievements demonstrate what is possible here. Recent successes include a student achieving three A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics alongside an A in Chemistry, securing a place at Churchill College Cambridge. Another student achieved three A grades in Maths, Chemistry and Biology to secure a place at King's College London.

The curriculum follows a knowledge-rich approach, with teachers planning ambitious content for all pupils including those with special educational needs. The 2022 inspection confirmed that leaders have high expectations for staff and pupils alike, with an ambitious curriculum accessible to every student.

Subject offerings span the traditional academic core alongside creative and technical options. Students study English, Mathematics and Science as foundational subjects, with Humanities including Geography, History and Religion and Worldviews. French provides the modern language option. Technology encompasses Computer Science and Design Technology, reflecting the school's historical specialism as a Maths and Computing College.

Creative subjects include Art, Music, Performing Arts and Dance, while Physical Education and Sports maintain strong participation. Psychology and Life Skills extend the curriculum into areas directly relevant to personal development.

Teachers demonstrate expert subject knowledge and commitment to their craft. The inspection noted a genuine passion among staff for how best to plan and sequence lessons, with continual improvement embedded in professional culture rather than imposed from above.

University progression rates tell an encouraging story. In 2024, 71% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 24% joining Russell Group institutions. This represents a credible pathway to competitive higher education for students whose backgrounds might not otherwise provide easy access to selective universities.

The school does not publish detailed Oxbridge statistics, though recent years have seen individual students securing places at Cambridge. The focus is appropriately on ensuring every leaver finds a suitable destination rather than maximising headline figures that benefit only a small minority.

For those not pursuing university, the school supports alternative pathways including employment. 7% of the 2024 cohort entered employment directly, suggesting practical preparation for the world of work alongside academic study.

Sixth form provision operates within the Oaks Sixth Form Collegiate, a consortium of seven secondary schools in South-West Birmingham. This partnership expands the range of subjects available to students beyond what any single school could offer, while maintaining the pastoral advantages of studying at a familiar institution.

The Oaks Collegiate Academy is a close collaboration of eleven secondary and seven primary schools, formed in 2002 as a DfE diversity pathfinder. The established systems support everything from initial teacher training through to headteacher development, creating a local educational ecosystem that benefits students and staff alike.

For sixth form students, the practical benefit is access to a wider curriculum and peer group while retaining their school identity. Boys join the sixth form, making it coeducational, and expanding social opportunities alongside academic choice.

Admission to Year 7 is coordinated through Birmingham City Council. The published admission number is 117 places per year. With 336 applications for 117 places in the most recent data, the school is oversubscribed at a ratio of approximately 2.9 applications per place. This level of demand indicates strong local reputation without creating the extreme pressure found at some selective schools.

The oversubscription criteria follow the standard Birmingham pattern: looked after and previously looked after children receive first priority, followed by siblings of current students, then distance from school. Distances are calculated as straight-line measurements from the applicant's home to the main school gate using Ordnance Survey coordinates.

The school does not publish specific cut-off distances, and Birmingham City Council advises that historic patterns cannot predict future outcomes. Families considering Hillcrest should contact the council directly for the most recent distance data relevant to their circumstances.

Sixth form admission is more flexible. The published admission number is 20 external places, though more external students may be admitted if fewer than 80 internal students progress into Year 12. There is no compulsory entrance examination, though entry requirements apply for specific A-level courses. Applications for September 2026 are currently open with a February 2026 deadline.

Open evenings and open days are advertised in the local press and in Birmingham's secondary education guide. The school welcomes visits from prospective families who cannot attend scheduled events, with individual tours and interviews available by arrangement.

Pastoral support centres on the knowledge that staff genuinely know each student. The student to teacher ratio of 14:1 allows for individual attention that larger institutions struggle to provide. Sixth form students particularly appreciate the individual academic guidance their teachers provide, a strength noted in the 2022 inspection.

The girls-only environment until sixth form creates space for students to develop confidence without the social pressures that can arise in mixed settings. This is not about sheltering students from the wider world but about creating conditions where academic confidence can flourish.

Behaviour is consistently strong. Pupils want to do well, taking pride in their work and conducting themselves well in lessons. This culture of mutual respect makes the school feel purposeful without being pressured.

The school provides appropriate support for students with special educational needs and disabilities, with an ambitious curriculum planned to be accessible to all. The SEND provision is integrated rather than separate, ensuring all students access the same high expectations.

Sport

Sport provision emphasises both participation and partnership. The school runs girls-only football training, ensuring students can develop skills in an environment free from mixed-gender dynamics that sometimes limit female participation. A partnership with Moseley Rugby Club provides coaching and competitive opportunities in rugby, extending access to a sport not traditionally associated with girls' education. Basketball features prominently in the programme.

Enrichment

Every Wednesday provides dedicated enrichment time when students can pursue additional credentials and interests beyond the examined curriculum. Both Year 12 and Year 13 students may undertake the Extended Project Qualification, developing independent research skills valuable for university preparation.

The school's history as a Certified Cisco Networking Academy and specialist Maths and Computing College has left a legacy of strong technology provision, though the specialist designation no longer applies.

Arts and Performance

Creative subjects including Art, Music, Performing Arts and Dance form part of the examined curriculum, with opportunities extending beyond formal qualifications. The performing arts tradition contributes to school culture, providing platforms for students to develop confidence and expression.

The school day begins with registration at 8:45am. The school is located at Stonehouse Lane in the Bartley Green area of south-west Birmingham. The nearest bus routes serve the local area, and the school's suburban location provides some parking availability for families attending events.

For general enquiries, the school can be contacted by email at enquiry@hillcrest.bham.sch.uk or by telephone on 0121 464 3172.

Oversubscribed entry. With nearly three applications for every Year 7 place, families cannot assume admission simply by living locally. Distance remains the deciding factor after siblings, and patterns vary annually. Families should research carefully before assuming a place will be available.

Limited published destinations data. While the school produces good outcomes, detailed breakdowns of specific university destinations are not readily available. Families seeking granular data about where students progress may find this frustrating.

Single-sex until sixth form. The girls-only main school suits many students brilliantly but represents a deliberate choice. Families uncomfortable with single-sex education or seeking coeducation from Year 7 should look elsewhere.

Consortium sixth form model. The Oaks partnership expands options but means some courses may be taught at partner schools. Students should understand the practical implications before choosing subjects that require travel between sites.

Hillcrest offers something increasingly rare: a girls' school in the state sector that combines genuine academic ambition with inclusive community values. The Progress 8 score of +0.46 demonstrates that students here make better progress than their starting points would predict, while the sixth form's university progression rate provides a credible pathway to higher education.

Best suited to families seeking a supportive girls' environment where academic expectations are high but the atmosphere remains encouraging rather than pressured. The school works particularly well for students who benefit from the confidence that single-sex education can provide, especially in STEM subjects where gender dynamics sometimes limit female participation elsewhere.

The main challenge is securing a place: with nearly three applications per Year 7 spot, admission cannot be taken for granted. For families who do secure entry, Hillcrest provides an education that takes girls' potential seriously without losing sight of their wellbeing.