150 Years of EHS
Since 1875, Edgbaston High School has been proudly pioneering girls’ education. As Birmingham’s oldest independent girls’ school, we have spent the last 150 years empowering generations of young women to learn fearlessly, grow with confidence, and shape futures without limits.
Let the Celebrations Begin!
This landmark anniversary offers a moment of reflection and celebration – of the bold decisions that led to our founding, the many milestones we have achieved since, and the extraordinary girls who have passed through our gates. From our earliest days to the present, we have remained steadfast in our mission: to provide an outstanding education in an environment where girls are encouraged to lead, to question, and to thrive.
Our Plans for the Future
Our History
Generating generations of bold, trail‑blazing women since the 19th century, here are the inspiring EHS alumnae who define "Fearlessly Female". Each one embodies the fearless ambition, integrity, and impact we nurture at EHS.
Recent decades
Mrs Joyce (Mathews) Cadbury
EHS 1916–1924Council Chair 1943–1967) – Chair of Civic Education Committees and EHS Council
Dame Sally Davis
Chief Medical Officer for England
Jennifer Howarth
Film producer (e.g. Arthur)
Sybil Thomas
High Court Judge, Family Division (West Midlands); Vice President
Elizabeth Whittaker
Army Nursing Reserve leader of field hospital in Iraq
Professor Kate Williams
Historian and TV presenter
Emma Harding
BBC Radio producer
Martha Howe‑Douglas
Writer and actress (Ghosts, Horrible Histories, Doctors)
Kate Fisher
ITV newsreader, now newscaster in the USA
Francesca Massey
Cathedral organist
Sally Bruce‑Payne
Mezzo‑soprano
Helen Thomas (George)
Actress on Call the Midwife
Malala Yousafzai
Pakistani education activist (honorary association)
Charlotte Clemson
Violinist
Leyla Ogan
International tennis player (age‑group)
Laura (Kenny) Whittle
Olympic athlete (representing Scotland)
19th century
Dame Geraldine (Southhall) Cadbury
EHS 1880–1883Magistrate; Vice President, International Association of Children's Courts Judges
Professor Millicent Pope
EHS 1881–1888Vice‑Principal, Somerville College, Oxford
Mrs Eveleyn (Nettlefold) Crosskeys
EHS 1902–1910Chairman, Harborne Tenants; Alderman, Birmingham City Council
Dame Joyce Bishop
EHS 1906–1915Leading historian and author on botany
Laurels in medicine
Deborah Stone
Consultant Paediatrics
Catherine Butt
Consultant Paediatrics
Our Archives
Edgbaston High School holds extensive archives from our rich history. Originally housed in a box room on the second floor, the archives have travelled around school to their current home below the stage. In recent years, organising, labelling and displaying the items within the archives has been subject of Sixth Form enrichment afternoons and the students assisting spent time investigating the original letters and reports about school during the Second World War. Archives are a continuous record of the school and EHS is always delighted to have donations of any items depicting life at school, such as school reports, items of clothing and photographs, all of which bring to life EHS through its history right up to the present day.
Edgbaston High School holds extensive archives from our rich history. Originally housed in a box room on the second floor, the archives have travelled around school to their current home below the stage. In recent years, organising, labelling and displaying the items within the archives has been subject of Sixth Form enrichment afternoons and the students assisting spent time investigating the original letters and reports about school during the Second World War. Archives are a continuous record of the school and EHS is always delighted to have donations of any items depicting life at school, such as school reports, items of clothing and photographs, all of which bring to life EHS through its history right up to the present day.
Discover More
Our mission is to nurture confident, considerate and intellectually curious young women.