Jonathan Coe returns to King Edward’s School

King Edward’s School was inspected in November 2025, meeting standards in all areas and being awarded the rare distinction of a “significant strength” for the way in which pupils develop a strong sense of belonging.

Thinking we were still Christopher Columbus, swimming in a mud-based basin seemed very appealing. Burning my feet on the walk back to the moped was not a part of the plan but after the basin swallowed my flipflops I had few options.

The company also gave it their all to make it the spectacular performance it was written to be, bringing the workhouse, Fagin’s den and the streets of Victorian London to life.

King Edward’s School, Birmingham (KES) has once again been named the highest performing day school for boys, either independent or state, in the West Midlands.