Best Grammar Schools In UK – A Comprehensive Guide For 2025
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best grammar schools in the UK for the year 2024. In this article, we will explore the top-performing grammar schools across the country, providing you with valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about your child’s education. Whether you are seeking an academically rigorous environment, a nurturing atmosphere, or a school with a specific focus, our guide will showcase the finest institutions that meet your criteria.
Table of Contents
What is a Grammar School?
A grammar school is a type of secondary school that admits students based on their academic ability. These schools have a long-standing tradition and are known for providing a more academically focused education. Grammar schools select their students through an entrance examination, often taken in the year before students would start secondary education. The aim is to admit students who demonstrate high academic potential. Once admitted, students receive a comprehensive education that typically emphasises traditional academic subjects such as mathematics, sciences, and humanities.
Grammar schools are usually publicly funded and do not charge tuition fees, making them accessible to students from various backgrounds. Grammar schools in the UK have faced its fair share of criticism. Many believe that very few children from low-income backgrounds get a spot in these institutions. Nevertheless, schools are continually reviewing their entry procedure to ensure they attract the most able children, rather than those best prepared to pass entrance exams.
UK Grammar School Admission Process
Grammar schools select their candidates based on the strength of their performance in the 11+ examination. Tests usually include some or all of mathematics, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. However, the exact entry requirements and competition for places vary, and they can change year on year. As no schools are permitted to interview the potential candidates and their parents, performance in this test will be the main admissions criteria.
A few schools do test for entry at 13+, and some also conduct tests at 16+. Ultimately, admissions is possible at other times if places are available and the child meets the academic criteria.
However, there are a number of students that do not receive offers every year for various reasons. If your child narrowly missed the required mark or has not performed as expected in the tests, or if they passed the test but did not receive an offer, there is still hope. You can actually challenge this decision through an appeal. Check out this step-by-step guide to learn more about the process.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Wilson's School Review
With a success rate of 4 to 1, bright pupils from 75 feeder schools work hard for their place in Wilson’s School. A total of 180 places are offered each year, where Sutton children will have a slight advantage when there is a tie break. Students will have to continue their hard work as there is no automatic entry into sixth form, although most of them do make it. Upon completion, the majority of graduates move on to prestigious universities and apprenticeships.
Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Review
Queen Elizabeth’s School, located in Barnet, United Kingdom, is a renowned grammar school with a rich history and a strong tradition of academic excellence. Founded in 1573, the school has a longstanding commitment to providing high-quality education to boys, preparing them for success in higher education and beyond.
The Henrietta Barnett School Review
The Henrietta Barnett School, located in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, is a highly regarded girls’ grammar school in the United Kingdom. Established in 1911, the school is named after Henrietta Barnett, a social reformer and philanthropist, and has a longstanding reputation for academic excellence.
As a selective grammar school, The Henrietta Barnett School admits students based on academic merit. It offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum designed to challenge and inspire students, fostering a love for learning and critical thinking skills.
Pate's Grammar School Review
Pate’s Grammar School epitomises excellence in education, boasting a rich history spanning over four centuries. Its unwavering commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its top-tier performance at A Level and GCSE, alongside a vibrant culture that values engagement and participation across all disciplines. Pate’s offers students a holistic educational experience through their state-of-the-art campus, facilities, and expansive sports fields. With a strong tradition upheld while embracing innovation, Pate’s stands poised to continue its legacy of nurturing talent and curiosity, fostering lasting connections through its active alumni community. As the school looks forward to a promising future, its dedication to building on past successes signals an exciting journey ahead.
St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Review
St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School, commonly known as St Olave’s, is a distinguished grammar school in Orpington, Greater London, United Kingdom. It is the result of a merger between St Olave’s Grammar School and St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Grammar School, bringing together two institutions with rich histories. Besides the well-known academic achievements, their sport, music, drama, DofE, clubs and societies are also very strong.
Colchester Royal Grammar School Review
With roots dating back to 1206 and adorned with Royal Charters from monarchs past, Colchester Royal Grammar School blends tradition with modernity, ensuring a dynamic learning environment. From its outstanding music and drama facilities to a comprehensive sports programme, CRGS offers a well-rounded education that nurtures the talents of every student. More than just academics, the school prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere where students can thrive and grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. With accolades from the Telegraph and the Good Schools Guide, CRGS stands as a testament to its commitment to preparing students for bright futures. Whether you’re considering joining at 11+ or 16+, you need to experience the CRGS spirit firsthand at one of their Open Evenings and discover the magic of life at Colchester Royal Grammar School.
The Tiffin Girls' School Review
The Tiffin Girls’ School stands proudly as one of the premier grammar schools in the UK, located in the vibrant educational landscape of Kingston upon Thames. Over the years, Tiffin Girls’ has consistently demonstrated outstanding achievements in both traditional and contemporary subjects. The school’s rich history, coupled with a forward-thinking approach to education, has made it what is is today. With a dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a nurturing environment, Tiffin Girls’ School continues to shape the minds of its students, preparing them for success in their academic pursuits and beyond.
Reading School Review
Reading School has shaped the lives of countless young men for over 900 years! While the Year 13 students consistently achieve stellar results in A-Levels and GCSEs, they believe education transcends mere grades. It’s about fostering hope, nurturing character, and making a positive impact on society. At the heart of Reading’s ethos is a commitment to prioritising people over statistics. They strive to cultivate resilience, humility, and integrity in every student, equipping them not just for academic success, but for a life of purpose and service.
King Edward VI School, Stratford Review
Despite its modest size, King Edward VI School offers a vibrant and supportive environment where students are encouraged to thrive academically and beyond. Led by dedicated specialist teachers, the curriculum seamlessly blends traditional teaching methods with innovative approaches. This ensures a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world. Beyond the classroom, K.E.S. also boasts an impressive array of extra-curricular activities, from sports to music and drama, providing students with ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop new skills. With state-of-the-art facilities and expert coaching, students regularly achieve success in national and international competitions, showcasing their talents on a global scale.
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Review
Here in the Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, you’ll discover a community dedicated to providing an exceptional education for boys aged 11 to 18. With a focus on academic excellence alongside a wide range of extracurricular activities, AGSB aims to nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills to thrive in society. In addition, pastoral care is at the forefront, ensuring that every boy feels supported and valued in the friendly, family-like environment.
Top UK Grammar Schools for A Level
Here are the best grammar schools in the UK as we enter 2025. This ranking uses the 2024 GCSE results:
| Rank | A levels (A*/A) | School | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81 | The Henrietta Barnett School | NW11 7BN |
| 2 | 77 | Wilson's School | SM6 9JW |
| 3 | 74 | St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School | BR6 9SH |
| 4= | 72 | Pate's Grammar School | GL51 0HG |
| 4= | 72 | The Tiffin Girls' School | KT2 5PL |
| 6 | 71 | Reading School | RG1 5LW |
| 7 | 70 | Tiffin School | KT2 6RL |
| 8 | 69.4 | King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | CM1 3SX |
| 9 | 68 | Altrincham Grammar School for Girls | WA14 2NL |
| 10= | 67 | King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls | B14 7QJ |
| 10= | 67 | The Latymer School | N9 9TN |
| 12 | 65 | Altrincham Grammar School for Boys | WA14 2RS |
| 13 | 64.5 | Colyton Grammar School | EX24 6HN |
| 14= | 62 | Stratford Girls' Grammar School | CV37 9HA |
| 14= | 62 | Wallington County Grammar School | SM6 7PH |
| 16= | 60 | St Michael's Catholic Grammar School | N12 7NJ |
| 16= | 60 | The Blue Coat School | L15 9EE |
| 18 | 59.5 | Dr Challoner's Grammar School | HP6 5HA |
| 19 | 58.3 | Langley Grammar School | SL3 7QS |
| 20= | 57 | King Edward VI Five Ways School | B32 4BT |
| 20= | 57 | Newstead Wood School | BR6 9SA |
| 22 | 56.2 | Westcliff High School for Boys Academy | SS0 0BP |
| 23 | 55.1 | Loreto Grammar School | WA14 4AH |
| 24 | 54 | Chesham Grammar School | HP5 1BA |
| 25= | 53 | Caistor Grammar School | LN7 6QJ |
| 25= | 53 | Sale Grammar School | M33 3NH |
| 27 | 50 | Sir Thomas Rich's School | GL2 0LF |
| 28 | 49 | Newport Girls' High School Academy | TF10 7HL |
| 29 | 48.4 | Nonsuch High School for Girls | SM3 8AB |
| 30= | 48 | Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | SL7 2BR |
| 30= | 48 | Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School | TN4 9UJ |
| 32= | 47 | Haberdashers' Adams | TF10 7BD |
| 32= | 47 | Stretford Grammar School | M32 8JB |
| 34= | 45 | Colchester County High School for Girls | CO3 3US |
| 34= | 45 | Lancaster Girls' Grammar School | LA1 1SF |
| 34= | 45 | Wolverhampton Girls' High School | WV6 0BY |
| 34= | 45 | Wycombe High School | HP11 1TB |
| 38 | 43.1 | Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School | ME1 3EL |
| 39 | 43 | Ripon Grammar School | HG4 2DG |
| 40= | 42 | Bournemouth School | BH8 9PY |
| 40= | 42 | Wirral Grammar School for Girls | CH63 3AF |
| 42= | 41 | Alcester Grammar School | B49 5ED |
| 42= | 41 | Stroud High School | GL5 4HF |
| 44 | 40.1 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School | LA1 3EF |
| 45= | 40 | Aylesbury High School | HP21 7SX |
| 45= | 40 | Burnham Grammar School | SL1 7HG |
| 45= | 40 | Saint Ambrose College | WA15 0HE |
| 45= | 40 | Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School | HP21 8PE |
| 45= | 40 | Southend High School for Girls | SS2 4UZ |
| 50= | 39 | Queen Mary's Grammar School | WS1 2PG |
| 50= | 39 | Queen Mary's High School | WS4 2AE |
| 52 | 38 | Calday Grange Grammar School | CH48 8GG |
| 53 | 37 | Marling School | GL5 4HE |
| 54 | 36.4 | Cranbrook School | TN17 3JD |
| 55= | 35 | Aylesbury Grammar School | HP21 7RP |
| 55= | 35 | Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School | BB4 7BJ |
| 55= | 35 | Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School | NG31 9AU |
| 58= | 34 | St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School | SL3 7AF |
| 58= | 34 | The Crypt School | GL2 5AE |
| 60= | 32 | Bourne Grammar School | PE10 9JE |
| 60= | 32 | King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys | B21 9ET |
| 60= | 32 | King Edward VI Handsworth School | B21 9AR |
| 63 | 31.5 | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School | BB7 2DJ |
| 64 | 31.4 | Weald of Kent Grammar School | TN9 2JP |
| 65= | 30 | Beaconsfield High School | HP9 1RR |
| 65= | 30 | Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School | CT11 7PS |
| 65= | 30 | Wirral Grammar School for Boys | CH63 3AQ |
| 68 | 28 | The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough | DN21 2ST |
| 69 | 25 | Rugby High School | CV22 7RE |
| 70 | 21 | Maidstone Grammar School | ME15 7BT |
Top UK Grammar Schools for GCSE
Here are the best grammar schools in the UK as we enter 2025. This ranking uses the 2024 A-level results:
| Rank | GCSE (9-7) | School | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | The Henrietta Barnett School | NW11 7BN |
| 2 | 95 | St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School | BR6 9SH |
| 3 | 94 | Wilson's School | SM6 9JW |
| 4 | 92 | Pate's Grammar School | GL51 0HG |
| 5 | 90.4 | Altrincham Grammar School for Girls | WA14 2NL |
| 6 | 89 | King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | CM1 3SX |
| 7 | 86 | Stratford Girls' Grammar School | CV37 9HA |
| 8 | 85.4 | The Latymer School | N9 9TN |
| 9 | 85 | Colyton Grammar School | EX24 6HN |
| 10 | 82 | Altrincham Grammar School for Boys | WA14 2RS |
| 11 | 78 | Tiffin School | KT2 6RL |
| 12= | 76 | King Edward VI Five Ways School | B32 4BT |
| 12= | 76 | Wirral Grammar School for Girls | CH63 3AF |
| 14= | 75 | Dr Challoner's Grammar School | HP6 5HA |
| 14= | 75 | Westcliff High School for Boys Academy | SS0 0BP |
| 14= | 75 | Chesham Grammar School | HP5 1BA |
| 14= | 75 | Sir Thomas Rich's School | GL2 0LF |
| 14= | 75 | Devonport High School for Girls | PL2 3DL |
| 19 | 74.6 | Langley Grammar School | SL3 7QS |
| 20 | 74 | Wallington County Grammar School | SM6 7PH |
| 21= | 73 | Sale Grammar School | M33 3NH |
| 21= | 73 | Aylesbury High School | HP21 7SX |
| 21= | 73 | Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School | DA15 9AG |
| 23= | 72 | Newport Girls' High School Academy | TF10 7HL |
| 23= | 72 | St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School | SL3 7AF |
| 23= | 72 | Rugby High School | CV22 7RE |
| 26 | 71 | Wolverhampton Girls' High School | WV6 0BY |
| 27= | 70 | Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | SL7 2BR |
| 27= | 70 | Saint Ambrose College | WA15 0HE |
| 29 | 69.5 | Aylesbury Grammar School | HP21 7RP |
| 30 | 67 | Alcester Grammar School | B49 5ED |
| 31 | 66 | The Crypt School | GL2 5AE |
| 32 | 65 | Queen Mary's Grammar School | WS1 2PG |
| 33 | 64 | Bournemouth School | BH8 9PY |
| 34 | 63 | Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School | TN4 9UJ |
| 35 | 62 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School | LA1 3EF |
| 36 | 61 | Haberdashers' Adams | TF10 7BD |
| 37= | 60 | Marling School | GL5 4HE |
| 37= | 60 | Weald of Kent Grammar School | TN9 2JP |
| 39 | 58.2 | Caistor Grammar School | LN7 6QJ |
| 40 | 56.8 | Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School | ME1 3EL |
| 41 | 56 | Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School | NG31 9AU |
| 42 | 53.9 | Ripon Grammar School | HG4 2DG |
| 43 | 53.5 | Bourne Grammar School | PE10 9JE |
| 44 | 53.1 | Cranbrook School | TN17 3JD |
| 45 | 47 | Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School | CT11 7PS |
| 46 | 46 | Barton Court Grammar School | CT1 1PH |
| 47 | 45 | Maidstone Grammar School | ME15 7BT |
| 48 | 43.3 | Calday Grange Grammar School | CH48 8GG |
| 49 | 41 | Wirral Grammar School for Boys | CH63 3AQ |
| 50 | 40 | The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough | DN21 2ST |
How are the Rankings Measured?
This league table was completed based on the 2024 A-Levels results and the 2024 GCSE results. With that being said, the ranking acts merely as a point of reference. School selection should not be done solely based on academic results. There is much more to education than that.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK Grammar Schools
To apply for a grammar school, you typically need to register your child for the school’s entrance examination, which is usually taken in the year before they would start secondary education. Each grammar school has its own admission process, so it’s important to check the specific requirements and deadlines of the schools you are interested in.
Grammar schools are designed for academically able students, but the level of required ability can vary between schools. Some grammar schools have more stringent entrance requirements than others.
Yes, grammar schools in the UK are state-funded and, like other state schools, do not charge tuition fees. However, there may be additional costs for uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities.
Grammar schools have a track record of sending a higher proportion of their students to top universities compared to non-selective schools. However, it’s important to note that admission to top universities is competitive, and other factors such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal statements also play a significant role in the university application process.
Grammar schools can be either single-sex or co-educational. The admission policies regarding gender vary between schools, so it’s necessary to research the specific schools you are interested in to determine their gender policies.
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