Ages 
This proudly non-selective school gets impressive academic results and walks the talk on nurturing, support and individuality, welcoming everyone into a joyful, purposeful community where pupils are happily busy and known for who they are. ‘If I could build a school from scratch, this is what I’d build,’ said one delighted parent.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 540 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 86 ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- £13,770 - £21,588 pa
- Local authority
- Staffordshire County Council
- School ownership
- Governed by a charitable trust
Headteacher
Head teacher
Mrs Susan Hannam
Since 2015, Sue Hannam BA (English and drama, Birmingham) PGCE. Heart originally set on law and only took PCGE to enable short stint of teaching to fund law school. Taught English and drama in Cirencester and enjoyed it so much she stayed for three
Entrance
Most join in nursery (at 2+) or reception. Academically non-selective although taster days include maths and English assessment from year 5, plus references from current school. However, it’s extremely rare for school to conclude they can’t meet a
- Open days
- Please call school for individual tour.
Exit
Vast majority stay for sixth form and on to university (40 per cent to Russell Group). Birmingham, Durham, Warwick, Lancaster, Keele and Nottingham Trent all popular. Handful to higher level apprenticeships (KPMG, GSK etc). Occasional Oxbridge
Latest results
In 2025, 30 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 24 per cent A*/A at A level (52 per cent A*-B).
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Proudly non-selective, with virtually every parent we spoke to using the word ‘nurturing’ to describe the school. ‘No fear of your child disappearing into a sea of children,’ said one. ‘Turning down the pressure allows the children to thrive,’ said
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Parents praise a tailored, confidence-boosting approach: ‘Not one size fits all.’ ‘Needing extra help is never seen as a negative.’ One parent described the school as ‘transformational’ - their child had struggled in another setting but after a
Arts & extracurricular
As a cathedral school, there are scholarships and bursaries for the 40 choristers (spread across years 2 to 8, equal numbers of boys and girls). It’s a full-on commitment for the whole family - daily rehearsals before school, services every other
Sport
School takes ‘sport for all’ approach seriously – from year 3, everyone is given the chance to represent their school in at least one fixture a year (and sports department has been known to eg set up an orienteering team to help make this happen).
Ethos & heritage
While the medieval three-spired cathedral has been responsible for educating choristers for centuries, the cathedral school only formally came into being in 1942 as a boy’s prep school. Co-ed since 1974, the school extended to GCSE in 2006 when the
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘School keeps a very close eye on welfare,’ said one parent. ‘They step in at the smallest sign of concern.’ Pupils feel well supported by the staff and each other. ‘The teachers don’t just know your name, they know you,’ said one. After completing a
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Pupils from years 5-11 can have a mobile phone with them, but it must be turned off and in their bags during the whole school day. It will be confiscated if seen or used. Sixth form allowed to use phones, but not during lessons unless requested by teacher as part of the lesson.
Pupils & parents
Most fairly local, with seven minibuses ferrying pupils in from Sutton Coldfield and surrounding villages. Senior school a short walk from train station. A few grumbles from parents about congestion in town - only parents of years 5 to 7 are supposed
Money matters
Art, drama, music, academic, sports and head’s award scholarships (usually worth 5-10 per cent of fees) plus chorister/choral scholar awards of 20-30 per cent. Small discount for siblings, children of Forces, clergy or past pupils. Means-tested
- Fee information
- £13,770 - £21,588 pa
The last word
This proudly non-selective school gets impressive academic results and walks the talk on nurturing, support and individuality, welcoming everyone into a joyful, purposeful community where pupils are happily busy and known for who they are. ‘If I
