This marks the fourth consecutive year of recognition, celebrating the school’s outstanding cricket programme, world-class facilities and unwavering commitment to nurturing talent.
The Cricketer’s Schools Guide is widely regarded as the go-to resource for families and cricket followers, highlighting the very best cricket programmes in schools across the country.
Cricket is firmly embedded in school life at KES. With 11 teams ranging from the 1st XI down to U12C level, pupils benefit from an extensive fixture list. The school’s facilities include an excellent 1st XI cricket ground at Eastern Road, three junior pitches on the school playing field, a four-lane all-weather net complex, top quality grass nets alongside the 1st XI pitch, plus a three-lane astroturf set of nets. The sports hall in the Andrew Brode Sports Centre also provides four lanes of nets, and these nets are much used throughout the winter, during our extensive winter coaching programme (for all age groups). The school’s full-time cricket coach works with the boys throughout the year and also makes use of county players for additional coaching. Recent years have seen overseas tours to the West Indies for seniors and Dubai for juniors, enriching the cricketing experience at KES.
Nathan Round, Head of Cricket at KES, said: “To be named among the UK’s top cricket schools for the fourth year running is a tremendous achievement. It reflects the dedication of our pupils, coaches and staff in making cricket a cornerstone of life at KES. Our ambition remains to nurture talent, build character and instil a lasting enjoyment of the game.”
Cricket success at King Edward’s School is not only measured by performance but by the values instilled – teamwork, sportsmanship and personal growth. Pupils build lifelong friendships, develop resilience and gain skills that extend far beyond the boundary.
KES continues to produce skilled cricketers who progress through county pathways, with a significant number of boys representing Warwickshire, Worcestershire and other counties at age-group level. The school’s facilities are also regularly used by Warwickshire County Cricket Club for age-group fixtures. The school has also staged an England Blind Team Test Match and it hosted cricket during the International Blind Sports Federation’s World Blind Games during the summer of 2023.
This season has showcased exceptional achievements from KES pupils. Arjun and Eddie in the Divisions (Year 12) were regulars in Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s 2nd XI squad last season, and both represented the Midlands in the Super 4 tournament. They, along with several current and former KES pupils, also play club cricket in the Birmingham Premier League.
The school is also exploring opportunities to build networks and partnerships with local primary schools as part of our Cricket and Service in the Community programme.
King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS), with whom KES shares its 50-acre campus, has also been named one of the UK’s Top 20 all-girls schools for cricket by The Cricketer for the second year in a row. Together, KES and KEHS form a powerhouse for cricket, demonstrating their shared commitment to excellence in the sport and providing exceptional opportunities for boys and girls alike to develop their skills and passion for the game.
The 2026 Schools Guide is included alongside the December issue of The Cricketer (available on the newsstand from today). The guide will also be made available digitally on thecricketer.com throughout the year.
