King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
Birmingham, United Kingdom
About King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls is a secondary grammar school in Birmingham, operating under the Schools of King Edward VI MAT in Birmingham. Since 2011, King Edward VI Handsworth School has held academy status. There are 1287 pupils aged 11-18 on the school roll, 350 of whom are in the sixth form.
The school was founded in 1911 by the merger of three pre-existing schools. Designed by architect PB Chatwin, King Edward VI Handsworth School then cost the very high figure of £50,000 to build.
Extensive renovations have been undertaken on the grammar school’s historic buildings, while new facilities include a library, science building, state-of-the-art sports hall along with a new dining room and Gym facility. A neighbouring church has been transformed into its music centre. The long-running school magazine is known as The Beacon.
Interim Headmistress
Miss C Berry
Values and vision
We are committed to the nurture and development of all those who learn here and seek to inspire all to be their best. We embrace the transformative power of education and value a love of learning and intellectual curiosity. We support all within the school to find, develop and enjoy their interests and passions. Our school offers vibrant extracurricular opportunities and participation is both valued and celebrated. We are a happy and caring school which values and takes pride in diversity and celebrates individuality.
We offer a broad curriculum where academic rigour is enjoyed. We are committed to excellent teaching and learning in an environment where students relish the opportunities they are given to master the subjects they are studying, are willing to take risks and enjoy the intellectual challenges this brings.
This is a school which is proud of its history and tradition whilst simultaneously developing staff and students who are forward thinking, outward facing and willing to rise to a challenge.
We develop staff and students who have the desire and courage, combined with the emotional, intellectual and practical capacities to change the world in ways that might be great or small but are always for the better. Our ideals are firmly grounded in honesty and integrity.
Our purpose is developing students with empathy, understanding and appreciation for other views and opinions. We support the girls to develop friendships which will last long beyond their time here and empower them to grow into independent, strong women who are equipped with the flexibility and moral courage to deal with the challenges of the modern world.
Ofsted report
“Almost all students make expected progress in both English and mathematics and a very high proportion make more than expected progress in these subjects compared to national figures. There is no significant difference between the rates of progress of students from different ethnic backgrounds.”
View King Edward VI Handsworth School’s latest Ofsted report
Location
“Both the staff and pupils have a drive and passion for education, which creates a positive learning environment. Teachers are incredibly enthusiastic about their subjects and this rubs off on the girls who seem to genuinely enjoy their lessons and being stretched and challenged to achieve the best they can. This makes the school a really rewarding place to work.”
- Trudy Kirby, Teacher of Biology“The staff and students are so friendly and welcoming that it didn’t take long to settle into the school. I’ve had opportunities to get involved in all aspects of school life (like running basketball club at lunchtimes or taking Year 7 on a residential weekend). The department is also fantastic at sharing ideas and interesting ways to teach lessons so it makes planning fun. The girls here are also really eager to learn and willing to take on new challenges so are a joy to teach.”
- Mariyum Waqar, Teacher of Mathematics“King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls is a most rewarding, challenging and supportive place to work. As a new member to the Senior Leadership Team I have been made to feel most welcome by all areas of the school community. I have been involved in decisions from day one and offered help to find all that I need from staff, students and governors alike. The students are very keen to learn, curious in a good way about new staff and I have already seen them in action with various charity and community activities. Within the first month they have raised money by dressing up and baking cakes, offered their time to give tours to prospective students and been involved in outreach programmes. Staff work hard and give of their time willingly to help and support students and the number of enrichment activities and excursions is exceptional. Making the decision to move up the career ladder or to change schools is never easy but this has been a great one!”
- Jacqueline Kendall, Deputy Head
