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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.

150th launch event and World Record attempt

09 July 2025

EDGfest

Autumn and Spring term

150 hours of service

Autumn and Spring term

The EHS 150th birthday bash

15 November 2025

150th birthday assembly

30 January 2026

150th year closing celebration

Spring term

EHS history exhibition

Summer term

Starting Sixth Form?

see what sixth form life has to offer

find out more

Our Plans for the Future

Living our values

We will continue to celebrate and uphold our school aims and values, ensuring every pupil understands them and puts them into practice in daily school life.

Data-driven academic growth

By using data in forward-thinking ways, we will identify opportunities to help each pupil reach their full academic potential.

Advancing digital learning

We will further embed digital learning strategies across the school – including in Prep – to enhance teaching and learning.

Maximising the pastoral hub

Our Pastoral Hub will be used to its fullest potential, providing a safe, welcoming space for pupils, while expanding the roles of pastoral mentors and wellbeing champions.

Strengthening EDI

We will build on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme with the creation of dedicated forums for both students and parents.

Enhancing communication

We will maintain an ongoing communications plan to keep existing and prospective parents fully informed about school developments and facilities.

Moving up to Senior School?

What you can expect from senior school life

find out more

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 1916–1924

Council 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 1880–1883

Magistrate; Vice President, International Association of Children's Courts Judges

Professor Millicent Pope

EHS 1881–1888

Vice‑Principal, Somerville College, Oxford

Mrs Eveleyn (Nettlefold) Crosskeys

EHS 1902–1910

Chairman, Harborne Tenants; Alderman, Birmingham City Council

Dame Joyce Bishop

EHS 1906–1915

Leading historian and author on botany

Laurels in medicine

Deborah Stone

Consultant Paediatrics

Catherine Butt

Consultant Paediatrics

Starting school?

What a typical day at Prep involves

find out more

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.