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KE Spirit brings together stories from pupils, parents, staff and alumni at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and King Edward VI High School for Girls. Collected over the last six months, hundreds of contributors from all over the world share the ways in which they have helped support the local, national and international response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stories range from a doctor sharing his account of working on an intensive care unit to pupils and teachers making PPE for the frontline. From personal challenges and local initiatives to international programmes, KE Spirit demonstrates the extraordinary ways in which the communities of two schools are responding to the pandemic.

Dr Katy Ricks, Chief Master of King Edward’s School, said: “The past six months have undoubtedly been some of the strangest and most difficult in living memory, but they have been met with a renewed sense of community spirit. This magazine illustrates the way in which our wider school communities have sought to make a difference and respond to the ever-evolving circumstances.

“I am incredibly proud to be the head of this great school and witnessing the multitude of ways in which our communities have responded makes me prouder still.”

Kirsty von Malaisé, Principal of King Edward VI High School for Girls, said: “Having joined this fabulous school in September, it is already abundantly clear to me how strong the community spirit is. It is very uplifting to see how our schools’ values translate into positive contributions at this difficult time.”

Read KE Spirit.

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Step inside KES at our upcoming Open Evening

Discover what makes our school special. Join us for our whole-school Open Evening on Monday 22 June 2026.