Excellence at King Edwards
Staff Comments
"Having previously worked in mixed comprehensive schools, I was apprehensive about applying to a girls selective grammar school. I arranged a visit to the school prior to my application to see if my preconceptions were founded. The first thing I noticed was the overall age of the staff and especially the middle management, it is much younger than I expected and having been here two terms am able to say it adds to the vibrancy and enthusiasm for teaching within the school. There is a healthy mix of traditional customs and an accelerating pace of change.
Teaching here is extremely rewarding, as all pupils are keen to excel and very well organized. Teaching here is not an easy option but I have never enjoyed working so hard for the pupils before. Changes can bring about very rapid results due to the willingness of the girls to embrace new ideas and also perhaps due to the smaller, 4 form year size, than most city schools. There are many extra curricular activities; I have been involved in the climbing club and the Duke of Edinburgh award since arriving. I definitely made the right choice by applying."
Chas Trotter, Director of Science
"I was in my second year of teaching, and working at a very large comprehensive school in Birmingham, when I was casually browsing the TES website and happened to come across the advert for a history teacher at King Edward VI Handsworth. I hadn’t been looking for a new job in a systematic way, but I was certainly in need of a change. I didn’t want to leave my current school for just any old job, but this opportunity seemed like a really exciting one.
After working in an impossibly enormous comprehensive, I really enjoy knowing all the members of staff and a lot of the pupils’ names. I love the fact that I can really teach my lessons, and cover so much more content, whilst experimenting with different teaching styles and tasks. I find that I’m now working in an environment where staff are highly trained, mostly due to the fact that there are generous opportunities for external CPD, as well as cutting-edge in-house training regularly throughout the year.
Most importantly, I feel that I’m tremendously fulfilled in my job since moving to King Edward VI Handsworth. It wasn’t long before I got a new TLR and am now enjoying my second year as Head of Year. Even though this was a new direction for my career I’ve had all the support and guidance I could have asked for. As part of this, I have taken on new projects and I really feel that I’ve been given the chance to make my mark on this school."
Kate Limb, Teacher of History & Pupil Achievement Leader Year 10
"When I first accepted the position at King Edward VI Handsworth, I wondered how the teaching would compare to that of mainstream schools. As a grammar school, I was concerned that the students would perhaps be arrogant and I wondered if teaching at an all-girls school would be as rewarding as teaching at a mixed school.
I can wholeheartedly say that the students at King Edward VI are a pleasure to teach and each class offers different challenges, as well as rewards. The students are generally of a high ability, but they are also gifted in terms of the strong and supportive relationships they form with other students – and also their teachers. They are keen to learn and appreciate the lengths that teachers go to in order to make their lessons engaging. The students are responsive, creative and attentive learners and if you think that teaching just girls means you’ll no longer experience witty banter, think again. The school offers many extra-curricular activities for the students, which teachers are encouraged to get involved in. These certainly offer the chance to see a different side to the girls!"
Aimee Parker, Newly Qualified English Teacher
Student's comments
"I am proud that our school has managed to receive four outstanding Ofsted inspections which shows the school’s dedication to high standards."
Sharondeep Yr 11
"The teachers are really helpful and when a student has any concerns about work, they help to sort the problems out. The lessons are never boring because of the wide varieties of activities we do in our lessons."
Viva Yr 7
"I like this school because it has many activities that you are able to go to during lunchtime. The canteen has loads of different ranges of food to choose from and there are also lessons for musical instruments if you want to learn how to play one."
Joshwey Yr 8
"I am proud of many things in school, especially its beautiful facilities and the many awards it has achieved. Iam also proud of all the A*’s and A’s that everyone gets, although, at school it’s not all about grades, they always stress the importance of improving ourselves as people and as citizens."
Katherine Yr 10
