New build in Birmingham to benefit from the growing demand from families
Birmingham. The city whose economy is growing faster than the whole of France. The city with more canals than Venice. The youngest city in Europe. All of this is true. It’s also a city offering huge promise for off-plan property investment.
The UK’s second largest city, Birmingham has an enormous economic output of £23 billion. It’s the regional capital of the Midlands, and it’s an economic powerhouse. It is a mecca for shoppers and has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK outside of London. Families benefit from education establishments that produce results above the national average. The 2017 annual Quality of Living Survey (conducted by Mercer) ranks Birmingham as the third best place to live in the UK after London and Edinburgh. Visitor numbers to Birmingham have doubled in the last three years.
Birmingham is also benefiting from billions in investment, both governmental and private. It includes huge investment commitments from China and the Middle East. The whole fabric of the city and its suburbs are being transformed, helping to place the city in the top league of European cities ideal for investment.
For investors in new build, Birmingham’s transport links place it firmly in the list of the best places to invest in property UK. 90% of the nation’s population is within four hours’ drive, making it an ideal centre for business. The already exceptional connectivity will be improved further with HS2. Journey times to London by rail will be slashed from 80 minutes to less than 50 minutes. Birmingham Airport currently provides an access and exit point for 25 million passengers each year, with plans to expand capacity to 50 million passengers by 2050.
For investors targeting the growing family home market, you’ll be pleased to know that Birmingham’s education facilities are among the best in the country. In this article, we explore the education scene in and around Birmingham and introduce an out-of-town development that offers residents the best of all worlds.
Birmingham – the largest LEA in England
There is a range of educational opportunities for children under 18, as well as students progressing into higher education.
· Under-18s
Most children in Birmingham are educated in state schools, with the education provided up to the age of 18. Year 12 and 13 children (16 to 18 years of age) also have the option of attending sixth form colleges or colleges of further education. The state school system is overseen by Birmingham City Council in its role as England’s largest local education authority. It oversees more than 450 schools, covering ages from nursery to sixth form. Other schools include voluntary-aided Anglican, Jewish and Islamist schools.
Around 70% of pupils in state schools in Birmingham now achieve five A to C grades at GCSE level.
There are also several grammar schools, which include Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Handsworth Grammar School, and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls.
King Edward’s School is the best-known of a small number of private schools in the area. It consistently ranks in the top performing schools in the country and counts J. R. R. Tolkien among its previous students.
· Further education
Birmingham’s five universities are:
- Aston University
- Birmingham City University
- Newman University
- University College Birmingham
- University of Birmingham
It makes it the UK’s largest centre of higher education outside of London. Aston University and the University of Birmingham are ranked in the top 400 universities in the world by QS World University Rankings.
The total university student population in Birmingham is around 110,000, which includes 32,000 research students.
Birmingham Metropolitan College has 14 campuses across the Midlands, and South and City College has nine campuses in the city of Birmingham.
Business studies is a specialisation in Birmingham, with Aston Business School among only 1% of business schools in the world to hold triple accreditation.
Introducing Galton Lock, exceptional education and a perfect commute
The countryside is building a showcase development of three and four-bedroom properties in Smethwick. Though only as short a journey as 8 minutes by train to Birmingham New Street and 15 minutes by road, Smethwick offers families amazing amenities and exceptional education, as well as an easy commute.
The location puts residents near the banks of Smethwick canal and a vast array of local parks. You wouldn’t know the hustle and bustle of central Birmingham are less than five miles away.
In the village of Smethwick, you will find a range of local amenities within walking distance. These include shops and supermarkets, pubs, restaurants and sports clubs.
These Countryside homes cater for every taste. Open-plan, modern kitchen/diners overflowing with high spec fixtures and fittings seamlessly join with family rooms. Rooms are flooded with natural light from skylight windows and French doors as standard. Step through the French doors into your private garden – ideal for the kids to play out in, or for summer barbecues.
On the doorstep, residents have the choice of two great primary schools. Galton Valley Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with some outstanding teaching in lessons. Nearby, Victoria Park is a primary school recently rated as ‘Outstanding’.
For older children, the Holly Lodge Science College – a co-ed secondary school – is rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted. The Ofsted report praises the school for students who are “well behaved”, “engaged enthusiastically with their learning”, and “polite and courteous to each other around the school site”. Further, it states that “Pupils made significantly better progress than others nationally in languages and humanities”.
The countryside is known as a developer that builds high-quality, sustainable homes. It is excelling its high standards and reputation at Galton Lock.
Contact one of the Gladfish team today on +44 (0)207 923 6100, and discover more about the amazing property investment opportunities in Birmingham.
Live with passion,
Brett Alegre-Wood
