King Edward’s School has a long tradition of attracting students from a very wide geographical area and it is fortunate in the range of public transport – train, bus and tram – that makes the school accessible across the region.
Students are able to travel easily from areas such as Bromsgrove, Lichfield, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield. We would encourage students to walk, cycle or travel by public transport wherever possible.
Bus
The school is situated near many bus routes.
The 61 and 63 services run frequently between the City Centre and Frankley along the Bristol Road, providing a convenient service for those needing to change in the city.
The 76 goes from Bristol Road to Solihull, via Kings Heath and Yardley Wood, while the nearby 1 service opens up routes to Moseley and Acocks Green.
National Express West Midlands also runs the 1S service, which provides a bus in the morning and afternoon between Solihull Station and the school driveway, via Acocks Green and Moseley. This service, which is shared with King Edward’s School, is also open to the public. National Express West Midlands travel cards are valid on this service.
Due to National Express West Midlands withdrawing the former 51S service between Walsall and the school driveway, alternative provision is now offered to KEHS and KES pupils through Endeavour Coaches. Families opting to use this school-only service will make arrangements with and pay Endeavour directly.
You can register your interest in the service here.
Please contact the school for an FAQ sheet produced by Endeavour Coaches.
Pupils from Walsall not wishing to take this service can travel on the X51 between Walsall and the City Centre, transferring to the 61 or 63 along the Bristol Road.
Train
Many boys travel on the Cross-City line which runs between Redditch and Lichfield, going via New Street Station and stopping at Four Oaks and Sutton Coldfield.
University Station is our nearest station and girls can walk through the university campus to school. It takes less than 10 minutes and is very safe, not least because so many of our boys are walking the same route.
Direct trains to Bromsgrove, Droitwich Spa and Worcester are also available from University Station.
There are also rail options from Hagley and Stourbridge with a change to a bus or another train in the City Centre.
Boys travelling from the Wolverhampton direction have the option of taking a tram and then transferring to a bus or train in the City Centre.
Walking
We have separate pedestrian gates and it is essential that pupils use these and not the vehicle gates. This means that boys must not use the Park Vale Drive entrance as pedestrians since there is no pedestrian gate.
Rather they should continue along Bristol Road and enter via the pedestrian gate by the Sports Centre. Our other pedestrian gate is located at the top of the driveway on Edgbaston Park Road.
Cycling
A number of pupils cycle to school and bikes can be locked safely in the bike sheds. Please bring and use a good cycle lock and do not leave your bike in school overnight.
It is a school rule that all cyclists wear a helmet and that bikes have good lights front and back in the winter months. We would also recommend the use of a high-visibility jacket and panniers for carrying things safely.
Car
If you do need to bring your son to school by car in the morning, please drop him off inside the gates at the top of the driveway behind the Foundation Office on Edgbaston Park Road or on the Parade Ground, which is accessed via Park Vale Drive which leads off Bristol Road (B5 7SP).
Please do not drive down the main driveway towards the school’s front door. In the afternoon, you must pick him up from the Parade Ground, coming on to site via Park Vale Drive. The Park Vale gate opens at 3.45pm Monday to Thursday, and at 4pm on Fridays because the Cadets use the Parade Ground, and there is strictly no access before these times. Parking or picking up in front of the Foundation Office and Edgbaston Park Road is strictly prohibited for safety reasons because there is a lot of pedestrian traffic in these areas.
When driving on school grounds, please be sure to respect the 5mph speed limit.
Campus Map
Planning your journey
It may be useful to have a trial run of how to get to school before the start of term so pupils can familiarise themselves with the route. It is also a good idea for pupils to know of alternative ways home in case they stay for an after-school activity and can’t travel home in the usual way.
If you only intend to use buses operated by National Express West Midlands, you can get a Term Plus bus pass which is available to young people between the ages of 5 to 18 (inclusive). 16 to 18 year-olds also need to have a 16-18 photocard in order to purchase tickets at the child rate.
For more information about the journey planners, various ticket and travel pass options, and to buy online, visit:
“Getting the train to school is a positive experience as you get to connect with students across different years.”
George – Year 8
Travels from Blake Street
