The University of Birmingham School, Birmingham

In its own words: "Drawing upon our partnership with the University of Birmingham and their world-leading research and best-practice resources, focusing on learning without limits, and combining our own diverse experience in education, we're setting an example of what’s truly possible for secondary school education - one that gives character development as much attention as academic success."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At University of Birmingham School, standards and expectations are very high as we want our young people and staff to be exceptional. I am honoured to lead our ambitious and distinctive learning community."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, cooking, knitting, photography, debating and philosophy.

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The University of Birmingham School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 47.5 in Birmingham and 47 across England.

46% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Birmingham and 47% in England.

That is up from 45.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.09: pupils made about 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 38.8, against 55.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and French.

For September 2026 entry, 285 families put The University of Birmingham School as their first choice and 1588 named it as one of their preferences, for 147 places offered. That is 1.9 first choices for every place. 167 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The University of Birmingham School are Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.9); Bournville School (0.9 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 37.5); Kings Norton Girls' School (1.2 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.4); and E-ACT Shenley Academy (1.3 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 32.9).

The University of Birmingham School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Of the 172 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 92% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 45% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 208 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 67% went on to university or other higher education, 2% to apprenticeships and 8% into work. 30% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

37.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 34.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (35%), Black (18%) and White British (15%).

The nearest railway station is Selly Oak Rail Station, about 1080 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Westhill Close (after), 60 metres away.

In 2024/25, The University of Birmingham School issued 144 suspensions, 12.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The University of Birmingham School are St Mary's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles), Our Lady and St Rose of Lima Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles), Water Mill Primary School (0.6 miles) and Bournville Village Primary (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.