EHS is an independent school for girls with its own Governing Council.  It is the oldest and largest girls' school in Birmingham.  There is a Pre-Preparatory Department (Westbourne), a Preparatory Department (which together are known as “Lower School”) and a Senior School.  We can thus educate girls from 2½ to 18. All departments and buildings are on one 14-acre site.

The school was founded in 1876 by a group of forward-thinking Birmingham men and women with the aim of developing academic education for girls.

Quakers and Unitarians were influential members of the founding group and the school has always been non-denominational and innovative, with a strong tradition of service.

Pupils come to EHS from a very wide area, including Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Bromsgrove, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton.  They come to contribute to and benefit from a lively school community devoted to the common purpose of academic achievement and personal growth. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities; involvement and leadership are both expected and valued.  Sport and Music are particular strengths, with regional and sometimes national profiles.

By fees paid by parents.

In recent years the School Council has increased the number of Scholarships offered at Year 7 entry and in the Sixth Form. Further details of scholarships, including the 11+ Music Scholarship and Sixth Form Academic, Music, Arts and Sports Scholarships are available on this site.In recent years the School Council has increased the number of Scholarships offered at Year 7 entry and in the Sixth Form.  Further details of scholarships, including the 11+ Music Scholarship and Sixth Form Academic, Music, Arts and Sports Scholarships are available on this site.

A limited number of Bursaries are also available from Year 7 upwards (not for pupils in Lower School) which are means-tested and all information treated in the strictest confidence.

Lower School maintains a teacher: pupil ratio of approximately 1:9.

Senior School has teaching groups that average 23 per class in Years 7 and 8, 18 per class in Years 9, 10 and 11, and 8 per class in the Sixth Form.

 
Usually between 74 and 78, organised into 3 forms.

 
Over the past few years, approximately 50:50.

Confidential reports from the candidates' present schools are requested and we select girls who do well in all areas of the test and who show good potential for future development.

A minimum of 5 A*-C GCSE grades is required with students achieving the minimum grade requirement in their chosen A Level subjects, as laid out in the Sixth Form Prospectus.

All external candidates are interviewed.  Scholarship examinations are taken in January for entry the following September. These are in subject papers selected by the candidate, usually in intended Advanced Level subjects.

Sixth Form Scholarship Tests (including Music): November

Lower School and Senior School (11+):  January

Year 7 entry results are posted in February, usually before half-term, and a decision expected by March. There are usually scholarship and place waiting lists.

 
Girls are considered for admission at other ages depending on the availability of places.

 
All girls up to the Sixth Form — and many of the Sixth Form too — have lunch in School.  A wide menu is offered including vegetarian options.