The University of Birmingham School is a mainstream secondary school in Birmingham for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 135 of its 1,188 pupils (11.4%) were getting SEN support and 45 (3.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 1,188 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Birmingham.
11.4% get SEN support
135 of 1,188 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.8% have an EHC plan
45 of 1,188 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty46
- Social, emotional and mental health41
- Autism28
- Speech, language and communication20
- Physical disability16
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia14
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Free school
- Ages
- 11 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,188 (places for 1,150)
- Headteacher
- Mr Colin Townsend
- Part of
- The University of Birmingham School
- Free school meals
- 42.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Birmingham
- School reference (URN)
- 140863
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Birmingham council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, April 2018; school remains Good (May 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2018. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2023).
Contact and getting there
Weoley Park Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6QU
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Cherry Oak School Special school · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Selly Oak Trust School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Bournville School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 0.9 miles
- Welsh House Farm Community School and Special Needs Resources Base Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Mary's Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 18.4%, EHC plans 2.7% 0.3 miles
- Our Lady and St Rose of Lima Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 17.6%, EHC plans 2.1% 0.6 miles
- Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School Secondary · Ages 11–19 · SEN support 9.8%, EHC plans 3.1% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Birmingham SEND schools in Birmingham
Questions about The University of Birmingham School
How many pupils at The University of Birmingham School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 135 of the 1,188 pupils (11.4%) were getting SEN support and 45 (3.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The University of Birmingham School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (46 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (41 pupils) and autism (28 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The University of Birmingham School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at The University of Birmingham School?
Through Birmingham council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to The University of Birmingham School?
You can ask for The University of Birmingham School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does The University of Birmingham School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Bournville School, about 0.9 miles away.
Where is The University of Birmingham School?
Weoley Park Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6QU, in Birmingham.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.