King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy, Birmingham

In its own words: "King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy (HWGA) stands as a beacon of educational excellence, welcoming a diverse group of young women from the vibrant community of Handsworth. The academy’s ethos , deeply rooted in mutual respect, fosters a nurturing environment where each girl is encouraged to believe in her potential for success."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy. Our academy is dedicated to achieving excellence for all, and we take pride in our diversity, inclusivity , and commitment to serving our local community and students. Our students are truly remarkable, and it is an honour to work with them."

Coming up: an open day on Sunday 28 February 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.5 in Birmingham and 47 across England.

45% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Birmingham and 47% in England.

That is down from 48 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.43: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 45.2, against 48.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 2.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 176 families put King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy as their first choice and 571 named it as one of their preferences, for 175 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 40 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy are King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (0.7 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 71.3); King Edward VI Handsworth School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 76.2); St John Wall Catholic School (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 50.2); and Holyhead School (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 43.6).

King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy is one of 12 schools run by King Edward Vi Academy Trust Birmingham, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 64.1 in 2024/25.

29 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy (as of September 2025): 79% would recommend the school, 83% say their child is happy there and 43% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (43%).

Of the 160 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 95% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 30% to a further education college and 1% to an apprenticeship.

Of the 92 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 62% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 9% into work. 8% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

54.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 60.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (65%), Black (16%) and other ethnic groups (8%).

In 2026, 107 pupils (10.2%) received SEN support and 5 (0.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Winson Green (West Midlands Metro), about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hinstock Road (adjacent), 170 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy issued 16 suspensions, 1.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy are St Teresa's Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles); St Marys C of E Primary and Nursery, Academy, Handsworth (0.5 miles); Rookery School (0.5 miles); and William Murdoch Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.