The latest edition of a major national schools guide has highlighted a significant shift in educational performance across Birmingham, with state-run secondary schools making impressive strides forward.
State Schools Surge Ahead in National Rankings
The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide for 2026, published on the 5th of December 2025, provides a rigorous analysis of secondary school performance across the UK. This year's data reveals a compelling trend: state schools in Birmingham have recorded the biggest year-on-year improvement. On average, they have risen an impressive 9.4 places in the national league table, a rate of progress that far outpaces private schools.
This surge is clearly demonstrated in the city's list of top performers. Of the eleven highest-ranked Birmingham schools featured in the guide, a commanding eight are state schools. The guide is respected for its strict methodology, analysing exam results and contextual data to give parents a clear, comparable view of where teaching, leadership, and student support are excelling.
Excellence Amidst Widespread Challenges
The publication of this guide comes at a time when the education sector faces considerable pressure, including tight budgets, rising student mental health needs, and growing demands on staff. Despite these challenges, the findings uncover pockets of genuine excellence. The guide notes that if a school does not appear in the league table, it is most likely because it did not provide its A-level and GCSE results to The Sunday Times, and the data could not be sourced from the public domain.
The top state secondaries are praised for their steady progress, strong subject teaching, and ability to prepare pupils for modern life. They exemplify what can be achieved with high expectations and a focus on lasting learning.
Birmingham's Top Performing Schools
The Parent Power Guide 2026 ranks the following as Birmingham's leading secondary schools:
1. King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham
This private school is ranked 13th nationally in the guide.
2. King Edward’s School, Birmingham
Ranked 47th nationally, this private school for boys has a nearly 500-year history in the city.
3. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
A state-run, selective grammar school in Kings Heath, ranked 83rd nationally. It was formerly rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted and achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.97 in 2023/24, placing it 'well above average'.
4. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
Another top state grammar school, ranked 155th nationally. Data shows 100% of its pupils achieved 5 or more GCSEs, with an A-level point score equivalent to an A-. It also holds an 'outstanding' Ofsted rating.
The prominence of the selective King Edward VI foundation schools within the state sector underscores the blend of academic tradition and consistent results that defines Birmingham's educational landscape. This year's guide ultimately paints a picture of a city where state education is not just competing but accelerating ahead, offering parents compelling evidence of quality within the maintained sector.