St Paul's School for Girls Review 2026: A Catholic School with Genuine Excellence

In October 1908, when the brand new St Paul's School opened on Vernon Road in Edgbaston, education for girls was a rarity. The school bells that rang that day marked something unprecedented for the city: a place where girls could access serious academic study. Over a century later, St Paul's remains a rare all-girls Catholic secondary school in Birmingham, serving a diverse community of 1,046 students from across the city and beyond. The school's Catholic mission, rooted in the Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle, still guides its operations today. Recent results place the school in the top 8% in England at GCSE (FindMySchool ranking) and top 10% at A-level (FindMySchool ranking), with a Progress 8 score of +1.23 indicating pupils make substantially above-average progress from their starting points. Led by Dr Dawn Casserly since 2013, herself an alumna who returned to teach, the school combines traditional Catholic values with contemporary ambition, creating an institution where academic achievement and genuine community flourish.

In the morning, just beyond the gates, the sense of community is immediately apparent. Girls in burgundy uniforms greet staff by name, moving purposefully between lessons. The Victorian and Edwardian buildings, with their high ceilings and character, sit alongside modern facilities including The Sister Suite, a dedicated mathematics and English building completed in 2010. That building, named to honour the nuns who founded the school, contains specialist teaching spaces and represents the school's commitment to blending heritage with contemporary educational investment.

The Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. According to the Archdiocese of Birmingham's 2021 inspection, the school is a place "with very high expectations of pupils and staff" that also "provides impressive pastoral care and high-quality support for all who need it." Daily prayer, regular Masses, and the celebration of patronal feast days create a rhythm that feels integral rather than imposed. The school describes its mission as rooted in Mother Genevieve Dupuis's maxim: "Do your very best for the children", a philosophy staff and pupils consistently reference.

The pupil body reflects Birmingham's diversity. Girls from English, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, Afro-Caribbean, Vietnamese, and Asian communities study together, creating an ethnically rich environment where multiple languages are spoken and cultural celebration is regular. This diversity is celebrated through events like the multicultural Mass, music performances featuring multiple languages, and representation of girls across leadership positions.

Attainment and Academic Standing

In 2024, 53% of grades achieved were 9-7 (the top grades), compared to the England average of 54%, placing results in line with the national picture overall. However, this headline figure masks considerable strength: 35% of all grades were at 9-8 (equivalent to A*-grade quality), and the average Attainment 8 score of 65.1 sits well above the England average of 45.9.

The school ranks 364th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably in the top 8%. Among Birmingham's 87 secondary schools, it ranks 12th. Progress 8 of +1.23 is particularly significant: it indicates that pupils here progress substantially faster from their GCSE starting points than pupils in England with similar primary attainment. This value-added measure is arguably the truest reflection of the school's teaching impact.

The English Baccalaureate (a measure of breadth across academic subjects) shows 41% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the required combinations of English, maths, sciences, and languages. This is notably strong for a comprehensive school and reflects the school's insistence on academic breadth alongside specialisation.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results continue the upward trajectory. In 2024, 82% of A-level grades were at A*-B, with 12% achieving A*/A grades alone. The average points score across entries positions results among the highest for non-selective schools in Birmingham.

The school ranks 256th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% and 6th among all Birmingham secondary and sixth form centres. Entry requirements for the sixth form are 5 grade 5/Bs at GCSE, and the school maintains consistent standards across A-level offerings.

Leavers data from the 2023-24 cohort shows 76% progressed to university, with one student securing a place at Cambridge. The school has established itself as a reliable pipeline to higher education, with particularly strong representation in competitive courses including medicine and engineering.

Academic rigour forms the foundation. The curriculum offers traditional academic breadth, subjects like Latin, Classical Civilisation, Further Mathematics, and English Literature sit alongside sciences taught separately from Year 7. The school's designation as a specialist school in mathematics and computing (since 2005) has elevated provision in those areas with dedicated facilities and expert teaching staff.

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge, and the teaching approach emphasizes deep learning over superficial coverage. Lessons are structured to scaffold learning carefully, with increasing complexity as pupils progress through the school. The school invests in professional development, with regular training evident in the consistency of pedagogical approaches across departments.

Technology is integrated where it enhances learning rather than replacing it. Interactive whiteboards, specialist computing suites, and access to online platforms support delivery, but the emphasis remains on conceptual understanding rather than passive consumption of digital content. For sixth formers, university-style masterclasses and subject-specific enrichment sessions extend learning beyond examination content.

The curriculum for younger pupils (Years 7-9) prioritises breadth and exploration. All students encounter sciences separately, languages (including modern and classical languages), humanities across both history and geography, and arts. This breadth is sustained through to Key Stage 4, where options exist but within a structure designed to avoid narrow subject clusters. As a result, pupils here study across far wider academic terrain than in many schools.

Students describe feeling safe and well-cared-for. The inspection noted that "pupils feel empowered to express themselves freely" and that bullying, when it occurs (which pupils say is rare), is dealt with promptly and seriously. Across year groups, pupils report having an adult they can confide in and knowing where to access support.

The pastoral structure uses form tutors as anchors; the same tutor remains with pupils through Years 12-13, creating continuity and allowing deeper understanding of individual needs and aspirations. Form time includes structured PSHE (personal, social, health, and economic) education alongside college business.

Specialist support is available for students with SEND. The school provides additional resources for those with identified needs and communicates closely with families. Counselling services operate on campus, and the school maintains links with external agencies for more complex support.

The school's Catholic foundation means wellbeing encompasses spiritual care alongside physical and mental health. Chaplaincy provision and quiet spaces for prayer offer support for those seeking spiritual practice. This isn't imposed, pluralism is respected, but the option is genuinely available.

University Destinations

The 2023-24 leavers cohort of 89 students shows 76% progressed to university. Beyond that aggregate figure, the school identifies itself as sending students to selective and Russell Group institutions regularly. One student gained a Cambridge place in this cohort.

Sixth Form students regularly receive university masterclasses and visits from institutions including Oxford and Cambridge. Careers guidance is comprehensive, with dedicated staff supporting UCAS applications and course selection. The school publishes a dedicated page on university destinations, demonstrating confidence in and pride in its sixth form pipeline.

For students not pursuing higher education, the school supports apprenticeships and employment pathways. However, given the academic profile and results, the default assumption for post-18 progression is university-level study.

Post-16 Sixth Form Transitions

The sixth form welcomes external applicants, meaning girls from other schools join at age 16. This brings fresh perspectives into the student body and requires careful integration; the school manages this through a common room that facilitates social mixing and through form tutor support. Many sixth formers remain from Years 7-13 and serve as peer mentors for newcomers.

The extracurricular life is genuinely comprehensive, reflecting the school's Catholic mission to develop "the whole person." This isn't a token activities list; students describe meaningful participation in clubs and societies that extend learning and build community.

Music and Performing Arts

While details of specific ensembles are limited in available sources, the school website indicates active involvement in music performance. Past historical references mention school choirs, orchestras, and regular productions. Currently, the school celebrates performing arts broadly and encourages girls to participate in theatrical productions and musical performances. Annual events include a Christmas Pantomime, which involves both student performers and staff. The Sixth Form encourages participation in dramatic performances and cultural events.

Sports Provision

Girls participate in traditional and contemporary sports. PE clubs operate regularly, offering netball, football, hockey, basketball, and badminton. The school maintains fixtures against other schools, positioning sport as both recreational and competitive. Physical education is compulsory up to GCSE, with A-level PE available. The school's location near Edgbaston Reservoir provides access to green space, and the playing fields support regular fixtures.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

This is a significant and valued scheme at St Paul's, with a long history of participation. The school offers Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, and girls engage with expedition, skills, service, and physical challenge components. Historical accounts reference girls completing expeditions in the Shropshire hills, suggesting outdoor provision is taken seriously. This scheme develops resilience, teamwork, and independence alongside curricular learning.

Air Cadets

The school operates an Air Cadets unit, providing military-style discipline and leadership development. Girls learn discipline, teamwork, and leadership through this uniformed youth organisation. It appeals to those interested in aviation, military service pathways, or structured outdoor activity.

Debating and Public Speaking

Students participate in the Birmingham Catholic Partnership debating competition, representing the school at formal debates. This develops confidence, research skills, and the ability to construct and defend arguments, skills valuable across academic and professional life.

Creative and Intellectual Societies

The school references opportunities to participate in subject-related clubs and societies, though specific club names are limited in publicly available information. Subject teachers facilitate clubs based on student interest. This typically includes science clubs (linked to the school's computing and mathematics specialism), language clubs, and humanities societies. The Learning Hub (library) serves as a space for intellectual activity beyond the classroom.

School Publications and Media

SPG Radio provides a platform for student voices and creativity. The school also publishes a school magazine (historically called "The Paulina"), continuing a tradition that began in 1904. Students can contribute to written and broadcast media, developing communication skills.

Positions of Responsibility

Students are encouraged to take leadership roles, including as form representatives, School Council members, and Senior Prefects. These positions develop responsibility and contribute to school governance through student voice. The election of Deputy Head Girl and Head Girl positions provides experience of democratic processes and peer accountability.

Enrichment Beyond the Classroom

The school organises subject-specific enrichment, including university masterclasses for sixth formers considering competitive courses. Curriculum-related visits complement subject learning; sixth formers notably undertake a popular trip to Paris, combining language learning with cultural immersion. Year groups participate in geography field trips and sciences practical experiences, embedding learning in real-world contexts.

Catholic Mission and Service

Community service is integrated into school life rather than bolted on. The school supports local charities and fundraising initiatives linked to the Catholic social teaching emphasis on justice and charity. St Paul's tradition of serving the broader community is both a curricular element (service as part of PSHE) and an ethos that permeates daily life.

Entry at Year 7 is non-selective, with places allocated through Birmingham's coordinated admissions process. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 716 applications for 166 places in recent admissions data. This represents a subscription proportion of 4.31, meaning approximately four applications per place.

With 44% of first preferences converting to offers, the school is clearly oversubscribed to depth. Place allocation follows the standard criteria: looked-after children, siblings, proximity to the school, and Catholic practice (faith criteria apply as this is a voluntary-aided Catholic school). Families should verify their home location relative to the school; oversubscription at this level means distance becomes a determining factor.

The sixth form welcomes applications from internal and external candidates. Entry requires 5 grade 5/Bs at GCSE and a reference from the current school. The school admits approximately 80 students into Year 12, with external admissions meaning there is mobility into sixth form from other schools. This breadth strengthens the cohort while maintaining academic standards.

The school operates on a standard timetable, beginning at 8:40 am and closing at 3:20 pm. Detailed information about breakfast clubs or extended care provisions is not published on the school website; families should contact the school directly for specific arrangements around wraparound care.

The school day is structured with form time, core lessons, specialist subject teaching, and lunch periods. Sixth form students experience greater autonomy and timetable flexibility, with independent study periods built in.

Transport to school is managed individually by families; the school is accessible by car, bus, and on foot depending on home location. The proximity to Edgbaston Reservoir and main roads into central Birmingham affects commute times and travel routes.

The sixth form has grown in prominence and size under recent leadership. The sixth form centre provides dedicated space with a common room, study areas, and specialist teaching spaces. Staff-student relationships in sixth form are notably warmer and more collegial than in younger years, reflecting the transition to advanced-level study and greater maturity. The sixth form prospectus emphasises personal development, university preparation, and leadership responsibility, positioning sixth form as a distinct phase of education.

Oversubscription and Distance. With nearly 4.5 applications per place, entry is highly competitive. Unless your family lives close to the school in Edgbaston, securing a place may be difficult. Families should research the precise distance from their home address to the school gates and understand that living close is almost essential given current demand.

Catholic Identity and Faith Practise. The school is unapologetically Catholic. Daily prayer, regular Masses (including whole-school celebrations at the Oratory on Hagley Road during school days), and explicit religious teaching form part of the curriculum and ethos. The admission criteria include consideration of Catholic practice (evidenced through a Certificate of Catholic Practice or parish reference). If your family does not practice Catholicism or hold Catholic beliefs, the school's pervasive faith environment may feel exclusionary. Non-Catholic families are admitted, but they should expect their children to participate in faith-based activities.

Diversity Within Tradition. While the school celebrates cultural and ethnic diversity brilliantly, the traditional Catholic institutional culture (uniforms, formal structures, prayers in Latin, feast-day celebrations) is constant. Families seeking a more "progressive" or secular environment should consider other options.

Exam Pressure Culture. With results-focused sixth form expectations and university-pathway emphasis, the atmosphere reflects academic ambition. While the school works hard to make learning engaging, students experience real expectations around attainment. Girls who thrive on challenge and goal-setting will flourish; those who find high-pressure environments stressful should weigh whether this is the right fit.

A genuinely excellent Catholic comprehensive school that combines historical tradition with contemporary academic strength. The school's commitment to "doing your very best for the children" is evident in classroom teaching, pastoral relationships, and results. GCSE and A-level outcomes place the school firmly in the top tier in England, while the Progress 8 score shows the school is genuinely moving pupils forward from their starting points. For girls living within reach of Edgbaston seeking a single-sex Catholic education with strong academics, a pervasive faith dimension, and genuine community feeling, St Paul's offers something distinctive. The primary challenge is simply getting in; the education, once secured, is genuinely distinctive and excellent.