The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
Sydney J. Harris
Rich heritage and prestige, top-tier holistic education, and a diverse mix of private and independent schools — the city of Birmingham has it all. Whether you are hypothetically relocating to Birmingham and exploring private schooling options, or conducting early research for your children as a local, this guide provides an overview of the city’s private education landscape, based on the examples shown in the table below.
| School | Type of School | Best Features |
|---|---|---|
| King Edward's School, Birmingham | Boys' independent day school (7–18) | Prestigious academics; strong Oxbridge entry; extensive extracurriculars |
| King Edward VI High School for Girls | Girls' independent day school (4–18) | Top academic results; wide co-curricular programme; strong university destinations |
| Priory School Edgbaston | Co-educational independent day school | Prep excellence; solid academics, small classes, and strong progression to top seniors |
| Edgbaston High School for Girls | Girls' independent day school (3–18) | Long history; strong arts and academic offer; supportive pastoral care |
| Elmhurst Ballet School | Specialist performing arts (ballet) school (11–19) | World-class ballet training; vocational arts focus; strong industry links |
| Heritage Academy | Boys-only independent secondary day school | Focus on balance of Islamic values and holistic educaion |
| St George's School, Edgbaston | Co-educational independent school | Strong local reputation; good pastoral care and academic balance |
| West House School | Boys-only independent preparatory school (4 to 11 years) | Balanced and broad curriculum with Strong academic foundation & 11+ preparation |
| The Blue Coat School, Birmingham | Co-educational preparatory school (3–11) | Top prep school; outstanding facilities; strong senior school placements |
| Hallfield Preparatory School | Co-educational prep school (2–11) | Excellent pastoral care; strong arts and sports foundation |
📌Overview of Private Education in Birmingham
Based on the latest data released by the Birmingham City Council, the city oversees 339 primary schools and 166 secondary schools (inclusive of state and private schools)1. Here's the statistical data of private schools in Birmingham:
Source: Birmingham City Council (LocAdmissions)
📚 The Landscape of Private Schools
Among the 11% of private schools in Birmingham, these schools span multiple categories, which can help parents and students pick based on their current needs and preferences in terms of educational stage, school focus, and school structure (day or boarding), for instance. We've curated this list to showcase different private school categories:
- Independent day schools (without boarding)
- Preparatory and primary-level independent schools
- Faith-based independent schools
- Secondary and senior independent schools (for Sixth Form students)
- Specialist schools (private schools which focus on music, arts or sports)
☑️ King Edward's School (KES)
The first on our list, KES, is a private school with a rich heritage (nearly 500 years) and is renowned for its dedication to academic depth and breadth for boys in the region.
The reason why KES is a household name in Birmingham is that it has demonstrated excellence through recent GCSE and IB results and sports performances, achieving notable accolades. 2
The admission and application process follows a structured pathway, especially for Year 7+ entry, as shown in the table below.
| Step | Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application Form | Complete online 11+ form. | Includes £50+VAT fee (waived for certain benefits); upload passport photo; express interest in scholarships. |
| 2. School Report | Headteacher's report requested. | From current school before exam. |
| 3. Entrance Exam | Two 1-hour papers in English and Maths. | No Verbal Reasoning from 2026 entry; no extra tuition advised. |
| 4. Interview | With Senior Leadership Team if exam potential shown. | May include Head of Department. |
| 5. Offer | Conditional on GCSE results (for later stages). | Attend on results day. |
☑️ King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
Next, let’s look at KES’s sister school, KEHS. It was founded in 1833 and shares the same 50-acre site as KES.
It is one of the best all-girls independent schools in Birmingham, boasting great academic and non-academic achievements.
Here's the application and admission to take note of for Year 7(11+) entry. Each year, the intake is only about 96 students.
| Step | Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Registration | Complete online form from Easter to September. | No international students; request headteacher report. |
| 2. Entrance Exam | English and maths papers. | Written format; ~96 Year 7 places. |
| 3. Interview | Invitation-only with school staff. | November in Year 6. |
| 4. Offer | Conditional places issued. | December in Year 6. |
Don't forget to check out the best private schools in Surrey.
☑️ Priory School Edgbaston
Now, let's switch gears to review one of the best co-educational private schools in Birmingham, Priory School. Established in 1936, this school has a Catholic heritage but welcomes students from all faiths and none.
The school adheres to the principles of high-TEMPO (High Expectations, Task Design, Explanation, Modelling, Practice, and Oracy) in its teaching, learning, and assessment.
Important note: It's essential to check the latest updates for different entry levels via the official school website. But here's a general overview of the application process.
| Stage / Entry | What you need to do | Key notes / Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Initial registration | Complete the online or paper registration form; pay the registration fee. | Registration fee is non‑refundable. |
| Entrance assessment (Year 7+) | Sit entrance exam; attend interview; provide school reference. | Selective admission based on academic ability and broader aptitudes. |
| Offer & acceptance | Sign acceptance form and pay acceptance fee/deposit. | Deposit held until pupil leaves; acceptance subject to school policies. |
| Mid‑year / In‑year admissions | Submit the same registration form for desired phase. | Places subject to availability; waiting list may apply. |
Explore the best private schools in Manchester.
☑️ Edgbaston High School For Girls (EHS)
If you're looking for another option for premier private all-girls education in Birmingham, you can consider Edgbaston High School for Girls.
EHS is a member of the Girls' School Association (GSA), which champions the full potential and participation of female students in academics, sports, and beyond.
Here's a guideline of admission details for year 7+ entry at the EHS.
| Step | Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Open Day/Visit | Attend to explore facilities. | Advised before applying. |
| 2. Online Application | Via admissions portal. | £400 deposit on offer. |
| 3. Assessments | English, maths, French tests. | Year 6 entry; interview and report. |
| 4. Offer | Based on performance. | ~50% internal progression. |
☑️ Elmhurst Ballet School
Founded in 1923, Elmhurst was one of the UK’s first vocational dance schools. It was originally located in Surrey before relocating to Edgbaston, Birmingham, in 2004. The school engages actively in partnership with Birmingham Royal Ballet and offers both day school and boarding options.
The school partners with Birmingham Royal Ballet and offers both day school and boarding options.
Elmhurst welcomes aspiring male and female students to pursue classical ballet professionally while having a solid academic education.
Birmingham West Midlands B5 7UH
Let's look at the application process for aspiring full-time ballet students aged 11-19 who wish to enrol via the audition process, which opens in October for September entry.
| Step | Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Online Application | Submit form with headshot/video (Year 8+). | Opens 10 Oct for 2026. |
| 2. Semi-Final Audition | In-person for Year 7; video review for others. | Invitation after closing date. |
| 3. Final Audition | Ballet technique and interview. | Main entry Years 7/12. |
☑️ Heritage Islamic Boys School (Heritage Academy)
If you are looking for an Islamic private secondary school for your son in Birmingham, consider enrolling him in Heritage Academy.
The school is committed to academic excellence while cultivating holistic Islamic values through the teaching of GCSE subjects, the recitation of the Noble Quran with a comprehensive hifdh (Quran memorisation) programme. 3
Here's an overview of the application process.
| Step | Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Contact/Visit | Meet headteacher and tour. | Call 0121 440 2222. |
| 2. Application Form (Upon request through website) | Submit with documents and £150 fee. | Photos, report, birth certificate (original to photocopy), Key Stage 2 results |
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☑️ St George's School, Edgbaston (SGSE)
If you are familiar with St George's Church in Edgbaston, you'll certainly have passed by St George's School. It is a co-educational school that is recognised for its dedication to academic brilliance and also nurturing talents through extracurricular activities.
Additionally, St George's is also known for its inclusivity to support students with special educational needs through a team of qualified special needs educators.
Let's explore the admission details through the table below:
| Steps | Description | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Submit form and details. | For pre-prep to Sixth Form. (Check the latest entry requirements for each levels through official school page) |
| Assessment | Age-appropriate tests. | Performance-based allocation |
| Interview/ wait for final results for offer | School report review. | Based on Head's decision alongside results and school report review. |
Meanwhile, discover more about the top private schools in Kent.
☑️ West House School
Let’s begin with one of Birmingham’s top private prep schools: West House. With a history spanning more than 125 years, the school prides itself on preparing young boys to successfully transition into the city’s leading secondary schools.
It is also home to West House Nursery, which caters to children aged 6 months to 4 years (boys and girls are welcome). After turning four, the boys are welcomed to join the pre-prep and prep school.
Birmingham B15 2NX
Here's an overview of the admission process:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Visit the school | Attend an Open Morning or book a private tour. |
| 2. Register | Submit the Registration Form and pay the registration fee. |
| 3. Child visit | Your child attends a taster/visit morning. |
| 4. Assessment | Children entering Years 1–6 complete age-appropriate assessments. |
| 5. Offer | The school reviews the application and may make an offer. |
| 6. Accept & pay deposit | Parents accept the offer and pay the acceptance deposit. |
Read more about the private schools in Scotland.
☑️ The Blue Coat School
Another premier preparatory school in Birmingham is The Blue Coat School.
Founded in 1722 by the Church of England, it boasts 15 acres of gardens and playing fields.
Read the following details to learn about the school's admission process:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Visit the school | Attend an Open Morning or book a private tour to see the school. |
| 2. Submit application form | Submit the online application form with required details. |
| 3. Assessment / Readiness evaluation | Nursery: Readiness Evaluation; Year 3: 7+ entrance exam and a trial day. |
| 4. Offer of place | School offers a place if assessments are successful and space is available. |
| 5. Acceptance & deposit payment | Parents accept the place and pay the deposit to secure it. |
| 6. Wait-list (if no immediate place) | If no place is available, the child is placed on the waiting list. |
Learn more about private schools in Hertfordshire.
☑️ Hallfield School
Finally, let's talk about Hallfield School.
Famous for its structured, enriching, and focused curriculum, it is a top choice among parents in Birmingham who want their children to develop their interests holistically while having a solid academic foundation.
Birmingham, B15 3SJ
of the children who sat the Birmingham Local Authority (LA) Grammar Schools examinations, were offered places
Refer to the table below for the key admission information.
| Step | What happens / What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Get in touch | Contact the Admissions team via their form, email or phone to express interest. |
| 2. Visit the school | Attend an Open Morning or arrange a personal tour. |
| 3. Register | Fill in the registration form, pay a non‑refundable registration fee (£120), and provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate. |
| 4. Taster day + Assessment | The child visits for a “taster day” and is given an age-appropriate assessment to check suitability for the school curriculum. |
| 5. Offer | If the taster/assessment is successful and there is space, the school sends a formal offer of a place. |
| 6. Acceptance & deposit payment | Parents accept the offer and pay a non‑refundable deposit (£1,000) to secure the place. |
🔑Conclusion: Factors to Consider When Choosing a School
We hope you have enjoyed the list so far. We've included different types of private and independent schools for comparison according to different preferences and learning goals. Whether you're a parent or a student, there are two important things to look out for before making the final decision:
Parents and students testimonials
- Look out for quotes and interview videos on the school's official website
- Good way to understand the school culture and values
Open days and tours
- Check out the schedules for the upcoming school tours to make the most of school visits
- Good way to understand the academic offerings, locations, and commute considerations
Here are some examples featuring an independent day school and a prep school.
“KES allows you to achieve beyond your expectations and make new friends that will stay with you for perhaps your entire life. Everyone encourages you to be the best version of yourself. My teachers make every day at school an adventure!”
Vivek
You'll never go wrong when you have research and footwork hand-in-hand when it comes to choosing the right private school in the UK.
If your child is interested to learn any academic subject or co-curricular activities like sports or arts, you can always connect with a private tutor on Superprof to take their skills to the next level, regardless of their learning pace. May you be a step closer to applying to your desired private school in Birmingham!
References
- Hamza, M. R. (n.d.). LocAdmissions. https://www.locadmissions.com/content/state-schools-vs-private-schools-in-birmingham-a-2025-guide
- Lamba, A. (2025b, December 5). KES named the region’s highest performing day school for boys. King Edwards School. https://kes.org.uk/news/kes-named-the-regions-highest-performing-day-school-for-boys/
- Independent 11-16 Islamic Boys’ School. (n.d.). https://www.heritage-academy.co.uk/about
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