Birmingham has been named the highest-ranking area in the West Midlands for school quality, according to a new analysis of 70 towns and cities across England. However, the city placed only 31st overall in the national list.
The rankings, compiled by property firm Chapel & Tuck, considered several key factors including the proportion of schools rated outstanding by Ofsted and the percentage of pupils achieving strong exam results.
In Birmingham, 74.6% of children achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths during the 2023/24 academic year, which is widely considered the benchmark for strong performance. Additionally, 7.2% of schools in the city hold an outstanding Ofsted rating, the highest possible grade.
Grammar and private schools boost Birmingham's standing
Birmingham's overall education position was likely lifted by its prestigious grammar and private schools, which are considered among the best in the country. The city's more affluent areas, such as Sutton Coldfield, also host a number of top-performing schools.
Neighbouring areas including Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire were also noted as attractive options for families, further strengthening the region's educational appeal.
Other West Midlands towns lag further behind
Elsewhere in the West Midlands, Dudley ranked 48th overall, with Walsall close behind in 52nd place. Wolverhampton was positioned towards the bottom of the list in 64th place.
In Wolverhampton, only 4% of schools are rated outstanding by Ofsted, while 70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.
London leads national rankings
London topped the overall list, followed by Watford, Chelmsford, Slough and Norwich in the top five. Chelmsford in Essex recorded the highest proportion of pupils achieving top exam scores, with 82.5% obtaining good grades in English and maths.
Experts at Chapel & Tuck said Chelmsford "stands out for its academic results". They added: "A strong 82.49% of pupils achieve Grade 5 or above in English and maths, while 17.5% achieve Level 3 qualifications. The area also has an outstanding rating among 10.86% of its schools, with pupil absence at 6.4%."
For families, access to good schools can be one of the biggest factors when deciding where to choose a home, the analysis highlighted.
