A prestigious Midlands grammar school has been named the region's state school of the year, according to the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon has been recognized as the best state school in the Midlands and ranked 12th in the entire country, cementing its status among the top educational institutions in the UK.
Recognition for Academic Excellence
The school was also awarded School of the Year in the West Midlands for Academic Excellence 2026. Grammar schools are included in the state school category as they are government-funded, despite requiring students to pass an entrance exam. This selective process means King Edward VI School attracts some of the brightest children from the region and beyond, often from wealthier backgrounds, though the school does not charge fees.
Historic Reputation
The historic school has a long-standing reputation as one of the country's best, famously counting William Shakespeare among its former pupils. It received a perfect score of 'outstanding' in all areas from Ofsted during its last inspection in November 2021.
Inspectors said at the time: "King Edward VI School is a rich and vibrant community. Pupils thrive at this school. Staff expect pupils to be the very best that they can be. Pupils rise enthusiastically to this challenge. They relish learning and grasp every opportunity to learn something new. Classrooms are places where pupils think hard."
Other Top Midlands Schools
Birmingham's King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls was named second in the Midlands and 17th nationally, while Stratford Girls' Grammar School secured third place in the region and 17th in the country.
