King Edward Handsworth Grammar: A ‘high-achieving’ inner-city Birmingham grammar school has been praised by a prestigious independent publication which showcases Britain’s very best schools.
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (HGS) was acclaimed by the Good School Guide as a “high-achieving, nurturing grammar with a strong community feel”.
The Good Schools Guide was founded almost 40 years ago by two working mothers who wanted to create a truly independent source of information on the UK’s schools.
After a visit to the school, in Grove Lane, Birmingham, inspectors from the Guide were impressed by Handsworth Grammar’s curriculum, student care, results and extracurricular provisions.
The report described Handsworth students as “scholarly to the core”, with the school’s ethnically diverse student body being “unified by really valuing education”.
The inspectors wrote: “Students we met were hungry to learn, several telling us about doing extra work which the teachers are always happy to mark.”
The curriculum was applauded for consistently introducing high-level learning across all subjects, including a home-grown maths curriculum which brings A level content to students in Years 7, 8, and 9, a ‘skills for writing’ course developed by the University of Exeter which is delivered to all students in English lessons, and standout computing and cybersecurity education.
According to the Good Schools Guide, Handsworth’s unique and carefully tailored curriculum has produced outstanding results at A Level and GCSE.
In 2025, 65% of GCSE grades were in the 7-9 range, while 93% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths – double the national average of 46%. A-Level results were also praised, with the report saying the maths results in particular are “off the scale”.
The inspector also praised the arts and sport provisions at the school, with students “keen to show us every inch of the facilities”, and the school’s system of teaching boys in their form groups for the first two years to create secure, meaningful friendships.
Beyond the classroom, the school’s more than 30 extracurricular clubs were highlighted for their popularity and organisation, including clubs dedicated to debating, films, chess, computing and physics. Sixth formers with ambitions to be doctors have even set up their own ‘med-soc’.
The inspectors particularly took note of the diverse enrichment opportunities for sixth formers, including guest lectures, community service, support from a brilliant in-house careers team and the chance to be mental health ambassadors and student leaders.
Meanwhile, school trips at King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar were noted by the inspectors as “an important way to expand pupils’ cultural capital”, including recent visits to places as diverse as Dubai, Texas, North Yorkshire, Paris, Rome, Switzerland and the Italian Alps.
Pastoral support for students was highlighted in the report, with the school being described as a “magnet for highly experienced, caring staff” both within the classroom and outside.
This has led to the creation of a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) team which is praised by parents in the report as “efficient, communicative, supportive and flexible”.
With a caring SEND lead and deputy with experience in supporting students with autism, ADHD, mental health issues and physical impairments, Handsworth Grammar is praised by the inspectors and parents alike for providing a “safe space” and “positive ethos” for students with SEND.
Additionally, the Guide celebrated the school’s robust form tutor system as providing reliable and trusted support for all students.
According to the inspectors, here was “notable rapport” between students and teachers, especially form tutors, who students said were their “most trusted adult” and parents said were always easy to get hold of.
Headteacher Tim Johnson said: “Schools are only included in the Good Schools Guide at the discretion of their independent editorial team, who select schools based on merit, reputation, and recommendations – so to have received such a glowing review is very satisfying.
“We enjoyed showing the inspectors round, and sharing with them all the things that make HGS stand out from other schools, from our facilities and curriculum, to our values of community, aspiration, respect, endeavour, and service.
“We constantly strive to instil in our students high standards for work, self-discipline, exemplary behaviour, and high achievement, which is also reflected in the review.
“Most of all, the review captured that HGS is a happy school, where the students are confident and enthusiastic about their learning and personal development – which I think is a result of having a dedicated and experienced staff who fully embrace the ethos of the school.”
For more about King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School, click here.