Camp Hill Girls (King Edward VI) — Review

First-class education, zero fees, and academic results that rival the most selective independent schools. Named Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2025, this Birmingham grammar school has spent over a century proving that excellence and accessibility can coexist. The school draws students from across the West Midlands through a competitive entrance examination, creating a community where intellectual ambition is the norm rather than the exception.

Founded in 1876 as part of the King Edward VI Foundation, Camp Hill Girls occupies a shared campus with its brother school in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Kings Heath. The 1,120 students here reflect the multicultural tapestry of the West Midlands, with the school actively targeting 25% pupil premium intake. Rated Outstanding in all categories by Ofsted in 2021, this is a school that combines Victorian heritage with thoroughly modern ambitions.

The school is part of King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham, one of 14 Foundation schools with roots in the Guild of the Holy Cross (established 1382). This heritage is worn lightly. The focus is firmly on present-day achievement and future potential.

Ms Karen Stevens has led the school since September 2022, having joined as subject leader for art and design technology in roughly 2008. Having progressed through assistant and deputy head roles before taking the top job, she’s seen as understanding the community intimately. Under her leadership, the school secured its Sunday Times accolade, recognition that extends beyond raw results to curriculum breadth, enrichment opportunities, and student wellbeing.

The atmosphere is purposeful without being pressured. Students arrive from diverse backgrounds united by academic ability and genuine curiosity. The Ofsted inspection noted that pupils are self-motivated and manage their own behaviour extremely well. Teachers feel highly valued and well supported. This creates an environment where intellectual engagement is natural rather than forced.

Six houses structure pastoral life: Cartland, Lichfield, Meriden, Priory, Stratford, and Warwick. The house system integrates pastoral support with leadership development, giving students opportunities to contribute beyond their year group. Sixth formers drive the house system forward, providing role models for younger students.

The site shares some facilities with the neighbouring Camp Hill School for Boys (King Edward VI), but the two schools operate as separate establishments. Joint activities include major music concerts, some A-level classes in modern foreign languages, music, and computing, and collaborative drama productions. The swimming pool and sports hall are shared but used separately.

GCSE Results

Results place Camp Hill Girls among the highest-performing schools in England. At GCSE in 2024, 71% of grades were 9-8, with 88% at 9-7. The Attainment 8 score of 82.3 dwarfs the England average.

The school ranks 51st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it firmly in the elite tier representing the top 2% of schools in England. Locally, it sits 3rd among all schools in Birmingham. The Progress 8 score of +0.96 indicates that students make exceptional progress from their starting points, adding nearly a full grade more than expected across their subjects.

The EBacc average point score of 7.96 reflects strong performance across the full academic curriculum, with 81% of students achieving grade 5 or above in the EBacc subjects. This breadth matters. Students here do not narrow their options early.

A-Level Results

At A-level, 31% of grades were A*, with 68% at A*-A. The combined A*-B rate of 90% significantly exceeds the England average of 47%. These figures place the school 71st in England for sixth form outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), within the top 3% of schools in England offering A-levels. In Birmingham, only two schools achieve higher A-level results.

The school's combined GCSE and A-level ranking of 71st in England reflects consistent excellence across both key stages.

The curriculum is designed for academically able students, with breadth maintained alongside depth. The school has resisted the national trend towards subject narrowing, continuing to offer Latin and four modern languages to A-level when many state schools have abandoned these subjects entirely.

At GCSE, students follow a traditional academic curriculum with sciences taught separately from Year 7. Setting in mathematics and languages allows appropriate challenge at every level. The EBacc participation rate of 81% demonstrates commitment to a broad academic foundation.

The sixth form structure is distinctive. Students begin Year 12 studying four A-levels, considerably more demanding than the three-subject norm elsewhere. Most reduce to three subjects at the end of Year 12, but this initial breadth provides flexibility for those who change their minds about university direction. Twenty-one subjects are available at A-level, including Politics, Economics, and Psychology, which students encounter for the first time at this level.

Teachers demonstrate exemplary subject knowledge and adapt curriculum plans to address any gaps in pupils' learning, according to the 2021 Ofsted inspection. The teaching team includes specialists across all subjects, with joint provision with the boys' school expanding options in modern foreign languages, music, and computing.

Religious Studies is compulsory through to the sixth form, delivered through an annual RS and Ethics Conference covering topics from medical ethics to minority faiths and religion in popular culture.

The academic strength translates directly into university outcomes. In 2024, 73% of the 169-strong leaving cohort progressed to university. Thirteen students secured Oxbridge places from 51 applications, a 33% offer rate and 77% acceptance rate that places Camp Hill Girls 61st in England for combined Oxbridge success.

The school sends significant numbers to study medicine. In 2025, 59 students received offers to read medicine at university. This medical pipeline reflects both student ambition and effective preparation through the school's enrichment programme.

Cambridge applications slightly favour the girls, with six acceptances from 19 applications. Oxford took seven from 32 applicants. The school ranks in the top 70 in England for both universities individually.

Beyond Oxbridge, students progress to Russell Group universities across the country. The 1% further education rate and 1% apprenticeship rate reflect a cohort overwhelmingly focused on traditional academic pathways, though 10% entered employment directly, suggesting diverse ambitions among this high-achieving group.

Entry is through the Grammar Schools in Birmingham Entrance Test, administered by the King Edward VI Foundation on behalf of all eight Birmingham grammar schools. The test is shared across all 19 grammar schools in the West Midlands, meaning students sit one examination to be considered for multiple schools.

Year 7 Entry

Registration for September 2026 entry opens in May 2025 through the West Midlands Grammar Schools portal, closing at 4pm on Friday 27 June 2025. The test takes place on Saturday 13 September 2025, with results released by mid-October.

The examination comprises two papers of approximately 45 minutes each, assessing English comprehension and mathematics based on Key Stage 2 curriculum content. A short break separates the two papers.

The qualifying score for September 2025 entry was 224, with a priority score of 205. This represents the minimum score required for consideration, not a guarantee of entry. Competition is fierce. Parents should be realistic about preparation requirements. While the school does not officially recommend tutoring, the culture around Birmingham grammar school entry means most candidates will have received some form of external preparation.

After sitting the test, parents must complete the Local Authority preference form by 31 October, with offers released on 2 March.

Sixth Form Entry

External applications for Year 12 entry are submitted through the Applicaa platform, with the deadline for September 2026 entry at 9am on Friday 23 January 2026.

The sixth form admits students from other schools alongside internal progression. Entry requirements are competitive, reflecting the academic nature of the A-level programme. The school considers prior attainment and suitability for specific subject combinations.

Open days provide essential insight into the school's character. The next Open Day will be in Summer 2026. An October 2025 Open Afternoon booklet is available on the school website for those researching earlier.

Pastoral support operates through the house system and form tutor structure. Form tutors provide daily contact and academic monitoring, while heads of year coordinate support across the cohort. The combination ensures both regular informal contact and structured intervention when needed.

Mental health provision includes the Zen Den and Calm Space, lunchtime facilities offering students a quieter environment away from the bustle of school life. The school has invested in wellbeing resources accessible through the library, including dedicated eBooks collections.

The diversity of the student body is celebrated explicitly. The school describes itself as culturally rich and diverse, with differences valued as learning opportunities. A mentoring scheme connects current students with black and mixed-race alumnae, providing role models and professional guidance. This initiative acknowledges that diverse representation in senior roles remains a work in progress across many sectors.

Students speak of supportive teachers who know them as individuals. The Ofsted inspection confirmed this culture, noting that pupils feel safe and are comfortable discussing any concerns with trusted adults.

Music

Music flourishes here, enhanced by the Percival Music Centre completed in 2020. Around 200 students receive instrumental tuition from a large team of visiting teachers. Show Choir is hugely popular, while Chamber Choir offers smaller ensemble opportunities. Joint orchestras with the boys' school enable ambitious repertoire, with major concerts drawing from both schools' talent.

The music provision represents significant investment in a subject increasingly squeezed from state school timetables. Instrumental tuition incurs a fee, with application through the Music department, but the range of instruments and the quality of ensemble opportunities exceed most state school provision.

Drama and Performing Arts

Drama productions feature regularly, including ambitious recent work such as Hadestown. Performing arts activities often involve collaboration with the boys' school, expanding casting possibilities and technical resources. Dance and drama clubs run alongside curriculum provision.

Sport

The shared swimming pool and sports hall enable a comprehensive sports programme. Cricket, netball, badminton, and swimming all feature in the competitive calendar. Sports competitions range from internal house events to inter-school fixtures.

Clubs and Societies

The co-curricular programme runs throughout the school week. Debate Club provides weekly opportunities to engage with topical issues. The student-run Eco Society focuses on environmental initiatives within the school. Computing Society, led by students, organises events and presentations across year groups.

Subject-specific enrichment extends learning beyond the curriculum. Students compete in the British Physics Olympiad, UK Maths Challenge, and similar competitions. The school's success in these events reflects the culture of intellectual engagement.

Duke of Edinburgh is hugely popular, with students progressing through Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Community projects, including the Engineering in Education Scheme run in partnership with engineering firm ARUP, provide practical application of academic knowledge. During the Covid pandemic, this partnership produced visor clips using laser printers, demonstrating the real-world impact possible through school-industry collaboration.

Enrichment Week in late June offers varied activities outside normal timetables, while field trips throughout the year connect curriculum content to real-world contexts.

STEM

The school maintains strong links with industry partners, particularly in engineering and technology. The relationship with ARUP provides students with exposure to professional engineering practice. Science facilities support practical investigation across all three sciences.

King Edward's SCITT, the trust's initial teacher training programme, is based at Camp Hill Girls. This brings trainee teachers into the school, refreshing pedagogy and providing students with additional adult role models.

Brand new Art and Design studios opened in 2025, reflecting continued investment in creative subjects alongside the traditional STEM strengths.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:35pm daily. Students can access the building from 8am and remain in the library until 4:15pm. Total weekly teaching time amounts to 33 hours and 45 minutes.

The Kings Heath campus sits close to multiple bus routes. Services 11A, 35, and 150 stop near the school, with direct connections to Birmingham city centre taking approximately 25 minutes. The Camp Hill Schools bus stop is a 5-minute walk from the main entrance. For those travelling by train, Yardley Wood station is approximately 19 minutes on foot.

Parents seeking information about bus routes, times, and pass costs should consult the Network West Midlands website.

Entrance competition is intense. The qualifying score of 224 represents a high bar, and achieving this does not guarantee entry. Most candidates will have undertaken some preparation, whether through tutoring or home practice. Families should approach the process realistically and have alternative plans.

The peer group adjustment. Students arriving here were typically top of their primary school class. Suddenly, everyone was top of their primary class. This levelling can bruise confidence initially, though most students adjust and thrive in an environment where academic effort is normal rather than exceptional.

Four A-levels is demanding. The Year 12 structure requires students to manage a heavier workload than peers at three-subject schools. This intensity suits many but may challenge those who need more time for each subject. The flexibility to drop to three subjects by Year 13 provides a safety valve.

Travel distances can be significant. As a grammar school drawing from across the West Midlands, some students commute considerable distances daily. This should be factored into family logistics and the student's capacity for extracurricular involvement.

Camp Hill Girls delivers on its promise: academically rigorous education without the fees, producing results that compete with the best independent schools. The Sunday Times accolade recognises not just examination outcomes but the breadth of opportunity available here. Students leave prepared for the most competitive university courses, with 59 medical offers in 2025 alone demonstrating the school's capacity to prepare students for demanding career paths.

Best suited to academically able girls who thrive on intellectual challenge and want to be surrounded by equally motivated peers. The diverse intake means this is not an enclave of privilege; the 25% pupil premium target ensures that ability, not background, determines access. For families who secure a place, the educational experience is exceptional.

Register for the Grammar Schools in Birmingham Entrance Test through the West Midlands Grammar Schools portal when it opens in May. For September 2026 entry, registration closes on 27 June 2025. The entrance test takes place in mid-September 2025, with results released in October. Parents must also complete the Birmingham Local Authority preference form by 31 October.

11+ pass mark: what is it?

The qualifying score for September 2025 entry was 224, with a priority score of 205. The qualifying score is the minimum required for consideration, not a guaranteed entry score. Actual entry depends on the number of applicants scoring above this threshold.

Is tutoring necessary for entry?

The school does not officially recommend tutoring, and the test assesses standard Key Stage 2 curriculum content. In practice, most candidates will have received some form of preparation given the competitive nature of Birmingham grammar school entry. Families should approach preparation realistically whilst avoiding excessive pressure on children.

Oxbridge outcomes: what’s typical?

In 2024, 13 students secured Oxbridge places from 51 applications, representing a 33% offer rate. Seven went to Oxford and six to Cambridge. The school ranks 61st in England for combined Oxbridge acceptances, placing it among the most successful state schools for elite university progression.