Today’s publication of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025 marks the sixth time in eight years that KEHS has been ranked first among West Midlands independent secondary schools, and it is the second consecutive year that the school has been 10th nationally.
The guide can be accessed at thetimes.com/best-schools-league-table and a printed supplement will be included with this Sunday’s edition of the newspaper.
King Edward’s School, Birmingham, is third in the West Midlands for academic excellence, behind Concord College, an international boarding school in Shropshire.
KEHS and KES are the only West Midlands independent secondary day schools in the national top 50.
Kirsty von Malaisé, Chief Master & Principal of KEHS and KES, said: “The staff, parents and pupils are delighted that KEHS has retained its standing as the top independent school for academic excellence in the West Midlands for the fourth consecutive year and is also once again named in the top 10 independent secondary schools in the UK.
“Our pupils’ consistently outstanding achievements are not only the result of expert teaching in a supportive and pastorally-rich environment, but are also the outcome of our all-round education. Our pupils get involved in a huge range of pursuits, be they in sport, the arts, clubs and societies, fundraising, or serving the local community, which drives their commitment, confidence and connectedness. We are also proud to be consistently highlighted as one of the best value independent schools in the country. This, together with our thriving Assisted Places scheme through which our number of means-tested bursaries is much higher than the national average, underscores how accessibility is at the heart of what we do, serving Birmingham and the wider region in the provision of what we regard as an unrivalled education for girls.”
Dr Paul Arnold, Head of School at KEHS, said: “I am proud that KEHS pupils are achieving consistently superb results across a broadening range of subject disciplines. This year’s exceptional GCSE results included Computer Science and DT for the first time. Our first cohorts of A Level Politics and Computer Science students are making strong progress, and we are delighted to have added A Levels in DT, Mandarin and PE to our Sixth Form offer for September 2025. As well as introducing new subjects which widen our pupils’ breadth of choice, we are also committed to preserving existing subjects that are incredibly important to our ethos, including Classics, Arts subjects and a range of Modern Foreign Languages.”
Helen Davies, Editor of Parent Power, said: “The educational landscape is challenging – teacher shortages, rising student mental health issues and special educational needs, and the VAT rise – but there is also so much to celebrate from the hard work of passionate and committed teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to boost their students and give them the very best start in life. As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is fantastic to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century.”
In addition to its consistent top academic rankings, KEHS is often listed among the country’s best value independent schools.
