Founded in 1430 as the Chantry School of Holy Trinity and granted a charter by King Edward VI in 1552 , this selective sixth form college has served ambitious students for nearly 600 years. The college was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024 , placing it among the region's leading post-16 institutions. With almost 2,400 students pursuing A-levels across 38 subjects, the college sits in the town centre of Stourbridge and has invested over £5 million in recent infrastructure, including the Frank Foley Building and Henry Hickman Library. The college ranks in the top 30% of sixth form colleges nationally for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), with sustained excellence in university destinations.
The college occupies a unified campus on Lower High Street, blending historic architecture with contemporary learning spaces. The Frank Foley Building, opened in 2018 at a cost of £3.5 million, provides a new canteen, dance studio, drama suite, and computer science and graphic design facilities, while the Henry Hickman Building — converted from a sports hall to a library at a cost of £1.8 million and completed in 2019 — provides new classrooms for Politics, History, and Classical Civilisation . The combination of Grade II-listed stained glass windows and modern Wi-Fi connectivity creates an environment where tradition meets contemporary education.
Ms Holly Bembridge serves as Principal , bringing recent leadership to the institution. The college's ethos balances academic selectivity with genuine inclusion. Students demonstrate excellent commitment to their studies, attend very well, and arrive promptly to lessons eager to learn . The intake is increasingly diverse, reflecting growing engagement from families across the West Midlands region, extending from Birmingham to Worcester.
In 2025, the college recorded a 99% pass rate across 2,936 exams, including nearly 2,000 grades at A*-B . This performance translates to approximately 8% of entries achieving A*, 20% achieving A, and 31% achieving B — placing students solidly in the upper range nationally. The college ranks 781st in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool data), reflecting solid performance within the middle 30% of sixth form colleges in England. This places it above typical schools but below the elite tier, representing strong but not exceptional results.
Thirty courses achieved 100% pass rates, while subjects such as French, Drama, Music, and Textiles attained 100% A*-C grades . The breadth of 38 subject offerings means students can pursue combinations ranging from Classical Greek and Russian to STEM pathways. Facilitating subjects (mathematics, sciences, humanities, languages) remain particularly strong, supporting students heading toward competitive universities.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
58.18%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
King Edward VI College Stourbridge topped the Midlands for Oxbridge offers in 2024, with 24 students securing places at Oxford or Cambridge, outperforming every other state and independent school in the region . This represents a significant achievement for a state-funded college competing against independent institutions. The college ranks 83rd nationally for Oxbridge success (FindMySchool data).
11 students secured acceptances from 72 applications in the measurement period, reflecting an 15% offer rate and 79% acceptance of offers. Beyond Oxbridge, the college maintains strong pathways to Russell Group universities and specialist institutions.
In the 2024 UCAS cycle, 818 students secured acceptances at over 90 UK universities, with 40% progressing to higher tariff institutions . The college reports that 59% of the 2023-24 cohort progressed to university, 3% to further education, 6% to apprenticeships, and 19% to employment — reflecting the college's emphasis on degree-level study while acknowledging alternative pathways for those suited to them.
Students select three or four subjects in Year 12, with flexibility to drop a fourth subject for Year 13. Leaders implement clear and robust quality assurance processes, are acutely aware of their strengths and areas for development, and take clear actions to improve quality, recently implementing strengthened processes to ensure teachers develop their teaching skills further.
Teaching emphasises rigorous academic engagement. The college sequence curriculum logically, ensuring students build upon prior knowledge systematically. Subject specialists drive learning through subject-specific knowledge and pedagogical skill. The emphasis on independent study reflects preparation for university-level work.
The college provides both structured support for those requiring it and challenge for the most able. Students achieve well, with nearly all gaining the qualifications they need to progress to a destination that meets their interests and ambitions, with a significant number going on to study at prestigious higher education institutes.
The enrichment programme at King Edward VI College reflects a deliberate philosophy that A-level study alone is insufficient for genuine development. The college offers over 40 discrete enrichment activities, creating pathways for personal growth, skill development, and well-being alongside academic rigour. This breadth positions enrichment not as an optional extra but as integral to the sixth form experience.
The college maintains active music provision across multiple ensembles and performance opportunities. Students participate in choirs, orchestral arrangements, and smaller jazz groups. Drama provision centres around the newly renovated drama suite, enabling theatrical productions and workshop-based learning. Dance has emerged as a notable specialism, with dedicated studio facilities and competitive opportunities.
Intellectual engagement extends beyond the classroom through structured debating societies and specialised academic clubs. The college runs C@KE (Conversation at King Eds), a dedicated debate forum fostering skills in rhetoric and argumentation. The Stocks and Shares Club introduces students to financial markets and investment principles. UCAT Prep supports students pursuing medicine and dentistry through intensive examination familiarisation.
The college fields competitive teams in rugby, men's and women's football, men's, women's, and mixed volleyball, golf, and netball, participating in local, regional, and national leagues and cups through the Association of Colleges (AoC) Sports programme, with additional one-off competitions in basketball, hockey, tennis, table tennis, badminton, cross country, and swimming . This range ensures participation opportunities for varying ability levels while maintaining competitive pathways for elite athletes.
The Aspire Programme builds leadership capacity among students, creating peer mentoring relationships and student-led initiatives. Students can pursue British Sign Language qualification, First Aid certification, or Environmental Leadership accreditation — each adding concrete skills valued by universities and employers. The college fosters a deliberate culture in which student voice shapes institutional life through the Student Leadership Council.
Mindfulness colouring, yoga, and self-defence classes acknowledge that sixth form study creates genuine pressures. The college recognises that mental wellbeing underpins academic success. The Campus Collective student newspaper and Campus Conversations podcast create platforms for student expression, while Lego Club and Knitting provide accessible creative outlets that reduce barriers to participation.
The college operates as a selective sixth form, meaning entry is competitive. Admission requires meeting specific entry criteria typically set in relation to GCSE attainment, with threshold grades in English and mathematics alongside relevant subject prerequisites. Approximately 2,400 students attend across Year 12 and Year 13, with annual intake determined by available places and application volumes.
The college draws students predominantly from Dudley Local Authority and surrounding West Midlands areas, though selective admission permits access beyond strict catchment boundaries. Students come from both state and independent secondary backgrounds, though the majority transition from state comprehensive schools.
The college operates on a single integrated campus. All lessons take place on college grounds, eliminating the need for students to travel between satellite buildings. The Learning Resource Centre serves as the central study hub, offering computer workstations, print facilities, and extensive collections of physical and digital resources. The canteen, renovated as part of the Frank Foley Building project, provides meal facilities during breaks and lunch.
The college day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm, though students often remain on campus longer for enrichment activities, independent study, or optional interventions. Transport links connect readily to the town centre; the college is accessible by local bus services. On-site parking exists for students aged 18 with appropriate permits.
The college operates a structured pastoral system with tutor groups providing daily touchpoints for students. Academic tutors maintain small group oversight, enabling early identification of students facing difficulties. The college employs dedicated pastoral professionals supporting mental health, wellbeing, and safeguarding. External counselling services are available for students requiring specialist support.
Targeted intervention systems identify students at risk of underperformance early in Year 12. Additional tutorial sessions, subject-specific clinics, and study skill workshops provide scaffolding for students struggling with particular content or approaches. This prevents accumulation of gaps that might undermine later performance.
The college invests substantially in careers education, providing one-to-one guidance, university pathway workshops, and employer engagement. Partnerships with leading institutions (HSBC, NHS mentioned in research) create exposure to career pathways beyond graduate roles. UCAS support extends to current and ex-students, reflecting the college's commitment to sustained guidance through university applications and transitions.
Selective Entry Creates Competitive Pressure. Entry to the college requires demonstrable academic attainment at GCSE. Students accustomed to being among the highest achievers at their secondary schools will encounter peers of equivalent or superior capability, requiring adjustment of self-perception and study approaches.
High Achievement Culture May Not Suit Everyone. The college's emphasis on academic excellence and university progression shapes student culture. For those uncertain about higher education or preferring vocational pathways, the institutional ethos may feel misaligned. The college does support apprenticeship pathways, but the dominant narrative centres degree-level study.
Urban Campus Location. The town centre campus location offers accessibility but limited on-site sports facilities. Competitive team sports rely on off-campus venues requiring additional travel. This reflects practical constraints of urban location rather than weak provision.
Diversity of Outcomes. While Oxbridge success merits celebration, nearly half of leavers do not progress to Russell Group universities. Students should recognise that selective entry does not guarantee prestigious destination; outcomes reflect individual engagement, subject choice, and application strategies.
King Edward VI College Stourbridge offers rigorous A-level education rooted in nearly 600 years of institutional heritage, combined with thoughtful enrichment provision that extends beyond examination success. For ambitious students with GCSE attainment sufficient to secure entry, the college delivers strong teaching, comprehensive subject choice, and genuine pathways to competitive universities. Oxbridge success is genuine but not universal; the broader picture is one of consistent progression to degree-level study with emphasis on personal development alongside academic achievement.
The college suits students ready for selective entry, committed to intellectual engagement, and seeking an institution balancing traditional values with contemporary teaching practice. Best suited to families within the West Midlands region seeking a state-funded alternative to independent sixth forms, with resources and ambition matching independent sector provision.
Yes. The college was rated Good by Ofsted in February 2024, with inspectors noting excellent student commitment, outstanding behaviour and attitudes, and strong progression to university destinations. With a 99% A-level pass rate and 24 students securing Oxbridge places in 2024, the college ranks in the top 30% of sixth form colleges nationally (FindMySchool data). The college particularly excels in providing pathways to prestigious universities within a state-funded setting.
In 2025, the college achieved a 99% pass rate across nearly 3,000 examinations, with almost 2,000 grades at A*-B. Approximately 8% of entries achieved A*, 20% achieved A, and 31% achieved B. Thirty subjects achieved 100% pass rates. These figures position the college above typical sixth form colleges, though below the very highest-performing institutions nationally.
Admission is selective, based on GCSE attainment with specific threshold grades in English and mathematics, plus relevant subject prerequisites. The college uses a centralised online application process. Applicants must meet published entry criteria, which vary by subject. The college typically admits approximately 1,200 students per cohort across Year 12 and Year 13. Contact the college directly for current entry requirements and application timelines.
In 2024, 24 students secured places at Oxford or Cambridge — the highest number from any state or independent school in the Midlands. The college ranks 83rd nationally for Oxbridge success (FindMySchool data). Beyond Oxbridge, 40% of leavers progress to higher tariff universities (Russell Group and equivalent), while 59% of the 2023-24 cohort progressed to university overall, with the remainder pursuing apprenticeships or employment.
The enrichment programme includes over 40 clubs and activities spanning music (orchestras, choirs, jazz groups), drama and dance, sports teams across 12+ disciplines, academic clubs (debating, Stocks & Shares, UCAT Prep), and personal development opportunities (First Aid, British Sign Language, Environmental Leadership). The college newspaper (Campus Collective) and podcast (Campus Conversations) provide platforms for student expression. Most activities are optional; many are open to all ability levels.
The college invested over £5 million in recent building projects. The Frank Foley Building (opened 2018) houses a new dance studio, drama suite, computer science and graphic design facilities, and refurbished canteen. The Henry Hickman Library (opened 2019) provides study spaces, computer workstations, and new classrooms for humanities subjects. Science laboratories support practical work in biology, chemistry, and physics. All lessons take place on the integrated campus; no travel between buildings is required.
Yes. The college operates structured pastoral care with assigned tutors, mental health support, and dedicated safeguarding staff. Academic intervention systems identify struggling students early. Careers guidance is comprehensive, with one-to-one support, employer engagement, and university pathway workshops. The college partners with leading institutions (HSBC, NHS) to provide work experience and career exposure. Support extends to current and ex-students through UCAS guidance.
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