Best Private Schools In The UK – The Complete Guide For 2025
Welcome to our guide on the best private schools in the UK. These schools are known for their high-quality education, strong academics, and excellent extracurricular opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a prestigious school with a long history or a smaller school that excels in specific areas, this guide will help you explore your options and find the right fit for your child’s education.
Table of Contents
What is a Private School in the UK?
Private schools, also known as independent schools, are educational institutions that are not funded or maintained by the government. Instead, they are privately funded and operated. In the UK, private schools often charge tuition fees for students to attend. They have more autonomy over their curriculum, admissions policies, and overall management compared to state-funded schools.
Private schools in the UK are considered to offer high-quality education. These schools often have a reputation for providing excellent facilities, resources, and dedicated teaching staff. They are typically seen as providing a more exclusive and tailored educational experience compared to state-funded schools, and they may have a specific educational philosophy or approach to teaching.
Parents who choose private schools for their children often do so based on various common factors. This includes academic reputation, individual attention, specialised programmes. Parents also believe that private education offers unique opportunities and advantages for their child’s development and future prospects.
UK Private School Fees in 2025
Annual school fees for UK private schools can vary widely. So if you’re wondering, here’s what you’re paying for:
- Age: Private school fees typically increase as students get older.
- Academic success: Some private schools in the UK have a much higher demand due to their academic track record, and thus have the ability to increase their fees.
- Facilities: Private schools in the UK do pay attention to non-academic pursuits such as sports and other activities. These facilities often require high capital investment and maintenance, leading to an increase in fees.
- Pastoral care: While expensive fees do not automatically translate to the best of pastoral care, this remains one of the top priorities for many parents.
- Geography: Some locations in the UK are more expensive, while some are extremely populated. Schools in these areas tend to charge higher fees solely because of their geographical location.
Best Private Schools in the UK 2025
Cardiff Sixth Form College Review
Cardiff Sixth Form College is simply the definition of academic excellence. In the 2024 A-Levels, 90.7% of students received A*-A grades. It is no surprise that they are consistently in the leaderboards over the past years. But beyond the books, do check out the long list of events, clubs and societies the school has to offer!
Oxford International College Review
Oxford International College, located in the historic city of Oxford, is a leading educational institution renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and a global perspective. With the goal of providing an exceptional education experience, the college is situated in the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious academic communities. In the 2024 results, 85% of the candidates achieved A*/A.
The Cathedral School Llandaff Review
The Cathedral School, Llandaff, situated in the United Kingdom, is a distinguished educational institution known for its strong academic foundation and commitment to holistic student development. The school is near the historic Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, Wales. This provides a unique setting that blends tradition with modern education.
Dating back to1880, The Cathedral School has a rich history of delivering high-quality education within a nurturing and inclusive environment. The school also has a close relationship with Llandaff Cathedral. This contributes to a distinctive atmosphere that encourages spiritual and personal growth alongside academic excellence.
Highgate School Review
Highgate School, located in North London has a legacy dating back to its foundation in 1565, Highgate School has evolved into a modern and dynamic institution while maintaining a strong emphasis on tradition and values. In addition, the school’s dedicated faculty and staff are passionate about cultivating a love for learning and encouraging students to explore their intellectual curiosity.
Guildford High School Review
The Sunday Time’s Independent School of the Decade is none other than Guildford High School. This school has an environment where the students can feel safe and secure, where there is trust and kindness. This is where you can see them lead happy and fulfilling lives, feeling positive about their gifts and abilities. Beyond this, the Friends of Guildford High School (FoGHS) programme brings together parents and staff to organise events. They not only raise funds, but smiles throughout the community.
Queen Ethelburga's College Review
Founded in the 1900s in Harrogate by the Woodard Trust, Queen Ethelburga’s College was acquired by the Martin family in 1991 and moved to their family home at Thorpe Underwood. Under their ownership, the school has seen significant growth and investment in facilities. While the school retains the charm of an old manor house, it has a modern ethos.
CEO Amy Martin, actively involved in day-to-day operations, resides on-site, reflecting a hands-on approach. Queen Ethelburga’s differs from typical independent schools, with many staff having no background in the independent sector. The curriculum combines tradition with vocational offerings, meeting diverse student needs. This unique blend sets Queen Ethelburga’s apart as a distinctive and refreshing educational choice.
City of London School for Girls Review
City of London School for Girls (CLSG) is an exceptional educational institution located in the heart of the Barbican Centre. Housed in a unique brutalist building, the school’s ‘City box’ is both a distinctive feature and a challenge due to its grade 4 listed status, limiting modifications. Founded in the late 1800s by William Ward, the school moved to its Barbican location in the late 60s. Since then, many big names have been gracing its halls, including Professor Sarah Hart and broadcaster Claudia Winkleman.
The diverse student body, representing various corners of London, contributes to a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. The school’s unique identity is further shaped by the support it receives from livery companies, corporates, and individuals. In the concrete cube setting, CLSG not only excels academically but also encourages individuality. This allows students to express themselves freely and fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
James Allen's Girls' School Review
James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS), founded in 1741 by James Allen, stands as the oldest independent school for girls in London. A part of the foundation established by Edward Alleyn in 1619, along with Dulwich College and Alleyn’s, JAGS fosters collaboration and integration among the three schools at all levels. The school’s rich history also includes Dr Lilian Clarke’s pioneering botany teaching in the nineteenth century, with the Botany Gardens she established in 1896 still tended to by students.
Moreover, JAGS is committed to ecological initiatives, aiming to become zero-carbon by 2030. They often participate in national campaigns like the Youth Climate summit and The Big Pedal. The school embraces diversity, with an ethos rooted in ethnic and socio-economic inclusivity. It also carries its Christian foundation lightly, emphasising charitable work and community engagement. JAGS looks towards the future while remaining connected to its history, evident in its houses named after significant figures from the school’s past.
Westminster School Review
Westminster School, founded formally by Elizabeth I in 1560, is situated in the heart of London. Located in the precincts of Westminster Abbey, the campus is largely located on a World Heritage Site. This creates a unique setting where students can walk directly to the Abbey for services and ceremonies through the exclusive ‘Dark Cloister.’
The school’s centuries-long history has seen it become intricately woven into the political fabric of the capital. Today, students confidently navigate through a maze of cultural and religious landmarks, including the iconic gothic abbey. Westminster’s dynamic and diverse nature is evident in its unique combination of day and boarding students, London and international attendees, and the coexistence of religious and secular values. The school’s traditions are seen through the longstanding ‘Greaze’ event on Shrove Tuesday, and its commitment to service and community engagement through programmes like Platform. They also contribute to the vibrant and multifaceted atmosphere that defines the Westminster School experience.
King's College School (KCS) Review
Established in 1829 as a junior branch of King’s College London, King’s College School (KCS) has evolved into a distinguished institution, initially housed in the basement of its prestigious forebear. The school made a significant move to Wimbledon in 1897, seeking expansion and competition with other London day schools relocating to the suburbs for spacious grounds and fresh air. The Junior School joined the same site in 1912, and over the years, KCS has embraced developments such as the admission of girls to the sixth form in 2010 and the initiation of the first Year 7 cohort at the senior school in 2016.
Set against the serene backdrop of Wimbledon Common, the school occupies a handsome Victorian red-brick building that beautifully reflects the KCS ethos of scholarship and innovation. The campus, more expansive than it initially appears, seamlessly combines modern and original architectural styles. It showcases wind turbines and solar panels alongside a charming Great Hall with an organ. The civilised and thoughtful atmosphere permeates the school, even amidst the vibrancy of activities. This emphasises KCS’s dedication to cultivating a nurturing and inspiring educational environment. The state-of-the-art sixth form centre, with its own reading room and fair trade café. As such, students have a conducive space for the development of confident and courteous young individuals.
Magdalen College School Review
Magdalen has more than 6 centuries of histories and they are not showing any signs of slowing down. Throughout the years, we have seen olympians, Nobel Prize laureates, film directors, and many other notable alumni from the school. While the academic team places a high priority on teaching, they focus on much more than that. It’s the quality of the daily conversations, the atmosphere students are in, and whatever it takes to cater to the needs of the student. This is a school where they inspire the students rigorously yet keep it relaxed. They somehow manage to push the students in a high-octane manner yet keep them down-to-earth.
Brighton College Review
The recent Sunday Times Parent Power ranked Brighton College as the top co-ed school for A-levels in the UK again, and we can’t find a reason to disagree. According to the Sunday Times, the currency used around the school is not the British pound, but kindness. The school believes that students flourish when they are treated with love, kindness, and respect. Well, looking at the student performance, that seems to be the case. Whether your child is shy, outspoken, sporty or scholarly, there is indeed a high chance that they will flourish under the Brighton system.
St Michael's School Review
St Michael’s is one of the best, if not the best, that Wales has to offer. The Sunday Times has St Michael as the Wales Independent School of the Decade! That has to say something about the school. In addition, they have also received The Telegraph’s Award, being the school with the best value for money in the UK. Awards aside, the school remains inclusive and committed to every single student. It’s really one of those schools where you have to go and see for yourselves to understand what makes them so valuable.
King Edward VI High School for Girls Review
The school’s mission is to offer unrivalled education to the girls in and around Birmingham, and we must say they are fulfilling it quite well. The school appears to be a vibrant and forward-thinking institution dedicated to fostering a love for learning among its students. The emphasis on curiosity and insightful engagement within lessons reflects a stimulating academic environment. In the recent years, they have included new subjects such as Mandarin, Leadership, Enterprise, and GCSE Computer Science among others. Similar to the other schools on this exclusive list, KEHS equips its students with a solid foundation of skills and knowledge, preparing them for life beyond the classroom.
The Perse School Review
As Cambridge’s oldest surviving secondary school, The Perse has continuously experimented and succeeded with their teaching methods. The Perse offers a holistic, three-dimensional education where all students and staff contribute to the school’s academic, pastoral and extra-curricular programmes. While academic results open many doors in the near future, it is through these opportunities where they develop life skills, character and perspective.
UK Private Schools Ranking - Best Independent Schools in the UK 2024/2025
| Rank | Result (A*/A) | School Name | Location | Gender | Candidates | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90.7 | Cardiff Sixth Form College | Cardiff | Co-ed | 135 | Boarding |
| 2 | 87 | Westminster School | Westminster | Co-ed | 201 | Boarding |
| 3 | 86.8 | St Michael's School | Llanelli | Co-ed | 51 | Boarding |
| 4 | 86.4 | Brighton College | Brighton | Co-ed | 228 | Boarding |
| 5 | 86.1 | King's College School (KCS) | Wimbledon | Co-ed | 162 | Day |
| 6 | 85 | Oxford International College | Oxford | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 7 | 84.6 | Queen Ethelburga's College | York | Co-ed | 69 | Boarding |
| 8 | 83.4 | The National Mathematics and Science College | Coventry | Co-ed | 55 | Boarding |
| 9 | 83.3 | Wycombe Abbey | High Wycombe | Girls | 90 | Boarding |
| 10 | 82.7 | Guilford High School | Guildford | Girls | 102 | Day |
| 11 | 82.2 | Godolphin and Latymer | London | Girls | 74 | Day |
| 12 | 81.9 | The Perse School | Cambridge | Co-ed | 185 | Day |
| 13 | 81 | Magdalen College School | Oxford | Co-ed | 163 | Day |
| 14 | 80.3 | King Edward VI High School for Girls | Birmingham | Girls | 100 | Day |
| 15= | 80 | City of London School | London | Boys | 150 | Day |
| 15= | 80 | Wimbledon High School GDST | Wimbledon | Girls | 87 | Day |
| 17 | 79 | City of London School For Girls | The City | Girls | 97 | Day |
| 18 | 77 | Reigate Grammar School | Reigate | Co-ed | 134 | Day |
| 19 | 76.9 | St Mary's School Ascot | Ascot | Girls | 63 | Boarding |
| 20 | 76.8 | Alleyn's School | Dulwich | Co-ed | 165 | Day |
| 21= | 76 | Highgate School | London | Co-ed | NA | Day |
| 21= | 76 | Withington Girls' School | Manchester | Girls | 77 | Day |
| 23 | 75.3 | Royal Grammar School Guildford | Guildford | Boys | 140 | Day |
| 24= | 75 | South Hampstead High School GDST | Hampstead | Girls | 89 | Day |
| 24= | 75 | The Cathedral School Llandaff | Cardiff | Co-ed | 52 | Day |
| 26 | 74.2 | St John's College, Cardiff | Cardiff | Co-ed | 57 | Day |
| 27 | 74 | Bancroft's School | Woodford Green | Co-ed | 122 | Boarding |
| 28 | 73.6 | Putney High School GDST | London | Girls | 93 | Day |
| 29 | 73.2 | University College School, Hampstead | Hampstead | Co-ed | 174 | Day |
| 30 | 73.1 | Concord College | Shrewsbury | Co-ed | 174 | Boarding |
| 31 | 73 | James Allen's Girls' School | London | Girls | NA | Day |
| 32 | 72.9 | Howell's School, Llandaff GDST | Cardiff | Co-ed | 83 | Day |
| 33 | 72 | City of London Freemen's School | Ashtead | Co-ed | 107 | Boarding |
| 34 | 71.2 | The Maynard School | Exeter | Girls | 45 | Day |
| 35 | 71 | Merchant Taylors' School | Northwood | Boys | 146 | Day |
| 36 | 70.4 | Caterham School | Caterham | Co-ed | 159 | Boarding |
| 37 | 70.3 | Royal Grammar School, Newcastle | Newcastle upon Tyne | Co-ed | 162 | Day |
| 38 | 69.5 | Cheltenham Ladies' College | Cheltenham | Girls | 121 | Boarding |
| 39 | 69 | St Albans School | St Albans | Co-ed | 179 | Day |
| 40 | 68.4 | Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST | Ealing | Girls | 67 | Day |
| 41 | 68.3 | Queen's College London | London | Girls | 49 | Day |
| 42 | 66.4 | Oundle School | Peterborough | Co-ed | 198 | Boarding |
| 43= | 66 | Eltham College | Mottingham | Co-ed | 108 | Day |
| 43= | 66 | Trinity School | Croydon | Co-ed | 168 | Day |
| 45 | 65.9 | Nottingham High School | Nottingham | Co-ed | 130 | Day |
| 46= | 65 | RGS Worcester | Worcester | Co-ed | 115 | Day |
| 46= | 65 | Wellington College | Crowthorne | Co-ed | 126 | Boarding |
| 48 | 64.9 | The Manchester Grammar School | Manchester | Boys | 183 | Day |
| 49 | 64.4 | Emanuel School | London | Co-ed | 147 | Day |
| 50 | 64.3 | Radley College | Abingdon | Boys | 164 | Boarding |
| 51 | 64 | Whitgift School | South Croydon | Boys | 157 | Boarding |
| 52 | 63.2 | Dulwich College | London | Boys | 239 | Boarding |
| 53= | 63 | Ardingly College | Haywards Heath | Co-ed | 98 | Boarding |
| 53= | 63 | Norwich High School GDST | Norwich | Girls | 48 | Day |
| 55 | 62.5 | Oxford High School GDST | Oxford | Girls | 84 | Day |
| 56 | 62.4 | The Leys School | Cambridge | Co-ed | 108 | Boarding |
| 57 | 62.2 | Surbiton High School | Kingston upon Thames | Girls | 139 | Day |
| 58 | 62.1 | Birkenhead School | Wirral | Co-ed | 36 | Day |
| 59= | 62 | Durham High School for Girls | Durham | Girls | 29 | Day |
| 59= | 62 | The Faculty of Queen Ethelburga's | York | Co-ed | 52 | Boarding |
| 59= | 62 | Walthamstow Hall | Sevenoaks | Girls | 50 | Day |
| 62 | 61.5 | The Yehudi Menuhin School | Cobham | Co-ed | 10 | Boarding |
| 63 | 61.1 | Badminton School | Bristol | Girls | 51 | Boarding |
| 64= | 61 | Burgess Hill Girls | Burgess Hill | Girls | 25 | Boarding |
| 64= | 61 | Epsom College | Epsom | Co-ed | 185 | Boarding |
| 64= | 61 | St Dunstan's College | Catford | Co-ed | 70 | Day |
| 67 | 60.8 | St John's School | Leatherhead | Co-ed | 113 | Boarding |
| 68 | 60.6 | King Edward's School | Bath | Co-ed | 127 | Day |
| 69 | 60.2 | St Catherine's, Bramley | Guildford | Girls | 82 | Boarding |
| 71= | 60 | Bromsgrove School | Bromsgrove | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 71= | 60 | Queen's Gate School | London | Girls | 49 | Day |
| 71= | 60 | Ruthin School | Ruthin | Co-ed | 66 | Boarding |
| 71= | 60 | The Abbey School | Reading | Girls | 74 | Day |
| 74 | 59.7 | Dame Allan's Senior Schools | Newcastle upon Tyne | Co-ed | 102 | Day |
| 75 | 59.2 | Colfe's School | Lee | Co-ed | 102 | Day |
| 76 | 59 | Sheffield High School for Girls | Sheffield | Girls | 75 | Day |
| 77 | 58.5 | Adcote School for Girls | Shrewsbury | Girls | NA | Boarding |
| 78 | 58 | Exeter School | Exeter | Co-ed | 108 | Day |
| 79 | 57.8 | Forest School | London | Co-ed | 136 | Day |
| 80 | 57.7 | Roedean School | Brighton | Girls | 93 | Boarding |
| 81 | 57 | Chigwell School | Chigwell | Co-ed | 89 | Boarding |
| 82 | 56.9 | Churcher's College | Petersfield | Co-ed | 155 | Day |
| 83 | 56.4 | Ibstock Place School | Roehampton | Co-ed | 87 | Day |
| 84 | 55.9 | Christ College | Brecon | Co-ed | 55 | Boarding |
| 85 | 55.4 | The King's School, Canterbury | Canterbury | Co-ed | 168 | Boarding |
| 86 | 55.2 | Leicester Grammar School | Leicester | Co-ed | 108 | Day |
| 87 | 54.9 | The Grange School | Northwich | Co-ed | 75 | Day |
| 88 | 54.3 | St John's Preparatory and Senior School | Potters Bar | Co-ed | 25 | Day |
| 89 | 54.2 | Hurtwood House | Dorking | Co-ed | 164 | Boarding |
| 90 | 53.8 | Ipswich School | Ipswich | Co-ed | 142 | Boarding |
| 91 | 53.6 | Redmaids' High School | Bristol | Girls | 59 | Day |
| 92 | 53.2 | St. Francis' College | Letchworth Garden City | Girls | 34 | Boarding |
| 93 | 53.1 | Brampton College | Hendon | Co-ed | 131 | Day |
| 94= | 53 | Bristol Grammar School | Bristol | Co-ed | 158 | Day |
| 94= | 53 | Canford School | Wimborne | Co-ed | 145 | Boarding |
| 94= | 53 | Derby High School | Derby | Co-ed | 47 | Day |
| 97= | 52.7 | Immanuel College | Bushey | Co-ed | 60 | Day |
| 97= | 52.7 | Leicester High School for Girls | Leicester | Girls | 23 | Day |
| 97= | 52.7 | Reading Blue Coat School | Reading | Co-ed | 126 | Day |
| 100 | 52.5 | Haileybury | Hertford | Co-ed | 109 | Boarding |
| 101 | 52.4 | Sutton High School GDST | Sutton | Girls | 47 | Day |
| 102 | 52.1 | St Mary's School, Cambridge | Cambridge | Girls | 45 | Boarding |
| 103 | 52 | Uppingham School | Uppingham | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 104= | 51.8 | Queen Elizabeth's Hospital | Bristol | Co-ed | 100 | Day |
| 104= | 51.8 | St Helen's School | Northwood | Girls | 104 | Day |
| 106 | 51.5 | The King's School, Chester | Chester | Co-ed | 112 | Day |
| 107 | 51.4 | Norwich School | Norwich | Co-ed | 168 | Day |
| 108= | 51 | Hymers College | Hull | Co-ed | 64 | Day |
| 108= | 51 | Loughborough High School | Loughborough | Girls | 78 | Day |
| 108= | 51 | Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST | Nottingham | Girls | 63 | Day |
| 108= | 51 | St Margaret's School | Bushey | Co-ed | 31 | Boarding |
| 108= | 51 | The Grammar School at Leeds | Leeds | Co-ed | 208 | Day |
| 113 | 50.9 | Mayfield School | Mayfield | Girls | 55 | Boarding |
| 114 | 50.3 | St Benedict's School | Ealing | Co-ed | 91 | Day |
| 115= | 50.2 | Bedford Modern School | Bedford | Co-ed | 148 | Day |
| 115= | 50.2 | d'Overbroeck's | Oxford | Co-ed | 206 | Boarding |
| 117= | 50 | Abbey College Cambridge | Cambridge | Co-ed | 124 | Boarding |
| 117= | 50 | AKS Lytham | Lytham St Annes | Co-ed | 50 | Day |
| 117= | 50 | Kingswood School | Bath | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 117= | 50 | Newcastle High School for Girls GDST | Newcastle upon Tyne | Girls | 66 | Day |
| 117= | 50 | Solihull School | Solihull | Co-ed | 166 | Day |
| 117= | 50 | The Mount School York | York | Girls | 17 | Boarding |
| 123 | 49.4 | Bromley High School GDST | Bromley | Girls | 55 | Day |
| 124 | 49.1 | Farnborough Hill | Farnborough | Girls | 35 | Day |
| 125 | 49.0 | Warwick School | Warwick | Boys | 117 | Boarding |
| 126 | 48.8 | New Hall School | Chelmsford | Co-ed | 103 | Boarding |
| 127 | 48.4 | Bradford Grammar School | Bradford | Co-ed | 117 | Day |
| 128= | 48 | Bedford School | Bedford | Boys | 122 | Boarding |
| 128= | 48 | St Peter's School, York | York | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 128= | 48 | Stafford Grammar School | Stafford | Co-ed | 35 | Day |
| 128= | 48 | The King's School in Macclesfield | Macclesfield | Co-ed | 104 | Day |
| 132 | 47.3 | Bablake School | Coventry | Co-ed | 102 | Day |
| 133= | 47 | Kimbolton School | Huntingdon | Co-ed | 92 | Boarding |
| 133= | 47 | Stockport Grammar School | Stockport | Co-ed | 116 | Day |
| 135 | 46.4 | Ashbourne College | Kensington | Co-Ed | 130 | Day |
| 136 | 46.3 | St Joseph's College | Reading | Co-ed | 49 | Boarding |
| 137 | 46 | Gresham's School | Huntingdon | Co-ed | 92 | Boarding |
| 138 | 45.8 | Sir William Perkins's School | Chertsey | Girls | 59 | Day |
| 139 | 45.6 | Hill House School | Doncaster | Co-ed | 58 | Day |
| 140 | 45.3 | CATS Cambridge | Cambridge | Co-ed | 16 | Boarding |
| 141 | 45 | Streatham and Clapham High School GDST | Streatham | Girls | 55 | Day |
| 142 | 44.6 | Moreton Hall | Oswestry | Girls | 49 | Boarding |
| 143 | 44 | Woodbridge School | Suffolk | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 144 | 43.4 | Newcastle-under-Lyme School | Newcastle-under-Lyme | Co-ed | 71 | Day |
| 145 | 43.3 | Yarm School | Yarm | Co-ed | 108 | Day |
| 146= | 43 | Cranleigh School | Surrey | Co-ed | Na | Boarding |
| 146= | 43 | Sherborne School | Sherborne | Boys | NA | Boarding |
| 148 | 42.4 | Hulme Grammar School | Oldham | Co-ed | 47 | Day |
| 149= | 42.3 | Fettes College | Edinburgh | Co-ed | 97 | Boarding |
| 149= | 42.3 | The Royal School Dungannon | Dungannon | Co-ed | 76 | Boarding |
| 151 | 42.2 | Wolverhampton Grammar School | Wolverhampton | Co-ed | 66 | Day |
| 152 | 41.9 | Ampleforth College | York | Co-ed | 76 | Boarding |
| 153 | 41.7 | Cranford School | Wallingford | Co-ed | 21 | Day |
| 154 | 41.3 | Claremont Fan Court School | Esher | Co-ed | 81 | Day |
| 155= | 41 | Leighton Park School | Berkshire | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 155= | 41 | Lewes Old Grammar School | Lewes | Co-ed | 31 | Day |
| 157 | 40.9 | Oakham School | Oakham | Co-ed | 145 | Boarding |
| 158 | 40.7 | Shrewsbury High School GDST | Shrewsbury | Girls | 41 | Day |
| 159 | 40.4 | Ashford School | Ashford | Co-ed | 66 | Boarding |
| 160= | 40 | Cambridge Tutors College | Croydon | Co-ed | 26 | Boarding |
| 160= | 40 | King Henry VIII School | Coventry | Co-ed | 80 | Day |
| 160= | 40 | Royal Hospital School | Ipswich | Co-ed | 90 | Boarding |
| 160= | 40 | Salesian College | Farnborough | Co-ed | 68 | Day |
| 160= | 40 | Wellingborough School | Northamptonshire | Co-ed | NA | Day |
| 160= | 40 | West Buckland School | Barnstaple | Co-ed | 72 | Boarding |
| 166 | 39.7 | Cheltenham College | Cheltenham | Co-ed | 151 | Boarding |
| 167 | 39.5 | Elizabeth College | Guernsey | Co-ed | 80 | Day |
| 168 | 39.3 | Bolton School Girls' Division | Bolton | Girls | 105 | Day |
| 169 | 39.2 | Victoria College | St Helier | Boys | 70 | Day |
| 170= | 39 | Downside School | Somerset | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 170= | 39 | Padworth College | Reading | Co-ed | 13 | Boarding |
| 172 | 38.3 | Queenswood School | Hatfield | Girls | 47 | Boarding |
| 173 | 38.2 | The Cedars School | London | Boys | 18 | Day |
| 174 | 38.1 | Old Palace of John Whitgift School | Croydon | Girls | 51 | Day |
| 175= | 37.2 | Brentwood School | Brentwood | Co-ed | 133 | Boarding |
| 175= | 37.2 | Stamford School | Stamford | Co-ed | 183 | Boarding |
| 177= | 37 | Jersey College for Girls | Jersey | Girls | 102 | Boarding |
| 177= | 37 | Mander Portman Woodward (MPW), London | South Kensington | Co-ed | 272 | Day |
| 177= | 37 | Talbot Heath School | Bournemouth | Girls | 35 | Boarding |
| 180 | 36.8 | Brockwood Park School and Inwoods Small School | Alresford | Co-ed | 17 | Boarding |
| 181 | 36.4 | St Columba's College | St Albans | Co-ed | 82 | Day |
| 182 | 35.8 | Cheadle Hulme School | Cheadle | Co-ed | 133 | Day |
| 183 | 35.5 | Silcoates School | Wakefield | Co-ed | 40 | Day |
| 184 | 35.2 | Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation | Durham | Co-ed | 59 | Boarding |
| 185 | 35 | Battle Abbey School | Battle | Co-ed | 50 | Boarding |
| 186 | 34.2 | St Gabriel's School | Newbury | Girls | 12 | Day |
| 187= | 34 | St Edward's School | Cheltenham | Co-ed | 33 | Day |
| 187= | 34 | St George's Ascot | Berkshire | Girls | NA | Boarding |
| 187= | 34 | St Mary's College | Liverpool | Co-ed | 50 | Day |
| 190 | 33.9 | Dean Close School | Cheltenham | Co-ed | 105 | Boarding |
| 191 | 33.8 | Ashville College | Harrogate | Co-ed | 80 | Boarding |
| 192= | 33 | Alderley Edge School for Girls | Alderley Edge | Girls | 31 | Day |
| 192= | 33 | Hampstead Fine Arts College | London | Co-ed | NA | Day |
| 192= | 33 | Lichfield Cathedral School | Lichfield | Co-ed | 39 | Day |
| 192= | 33 | Loretto School | Musselburgh | Co-ed | 58 | Boarding |
| 196 | 32.5 | Myddelton College | Denbigh | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 197 | 32.4 | Loughborough Grammar School | Loughborough | Boys | 132 | Boarding |
| 198 | 32.3 | Dixie Grammar School | Market Bosworth | Co-ed | 32 | Day |
| 199 | 32 | Tring Park School for the Performing Arts | Tring | Co-ed | 65 | Boarding |
| 200 | 31.1 | Denstone College and The Prep at Denstone College | Uttoxeter | Co-ed | 103 | Boarding |
| 201= | 31 | Clifton High School | Bristol | Co-ed | 58 | Day |
| 201= | 31 | Mander Portman Woodward Birmingham | Birmingham | Co-ed | 96 | Day |
| 203 | 30.7 | Millfield School | Street | Co-ed | 308 | Boarding |
| 204 | 30.3 | Loughborough Amherst School | Loughborough | Co-ed | 22 | Day |
| 205 | 29.3 | Claremont School | St Leonards on Sea | Co-ed | 57 | Boarding |
| 206 | 29 | Stover School | Newton Abbot | Co-ed | 23 | Boarding |
| 207 | 28.2 | Langley | Norwich | Co-ed | 53 | Day |
| 208 | 27.6 | Tudor Hall School | Banbury | Girls | 57 | Boarding |
| 209 | 27.2 | Plymouth College | Plymouth | Co-ed | 51 | Boarding |
| 210 | 27 | The Ladies' College | Guernsey | Girls | 46 | Day |
| 211 | 25.7 | St Andrew's College Cambridge | Cambridge | Co-ed | 35 | Boarding |
| 212= | 25 | Kensington Park School | London | Co-ed | 37 | Boarding |
| 212= | 25 | Shebbear College | Beaworthy | Co-ed | 11 | Boarding |
| 212= | 25 | St Bede's College | Manchester | Co-ed | 49 | Day |
| 215 | 23.9 | Pangbourne College | Reading | Co-ed | 78 | Boarding |
| 216 | 23.8 | Ryde School | Ryde | Co-ed | 51 | Boarding |
| 217 | 23.6 | Mount Kelly | Tavistock | Co-ed | 65 | Boarding |
| 218 | 22.9 | Merchant Taylors' Boys' School | Liverpool | Boys | 54 | Day |
| 219 | 22.6 | Shiplake College | Henley-on-Thames | Co-ed | 94 | Boarding |
| 220 | 22.5 | Merchant Taylors' Girls' School | Liverpool | Girls | 47 | Day |
| 221 | 22.4 | Rochester Independent College | Rochester | Co-ed | 103 | Boarding |
| 222 | 22 | The Royal School | Haslemere | Co-ed | 15 | Boarding |
| 223= | 21 | Box Hill School | Surrey | Co-ed | NA | Boarding |
| 223= | 21 | St James Senior Boys' School | Surrey | Boys | NA | Day |
| 223= | 21 | Westholme School | Blackburn | Co-ed | 67 | Day |
| 226 | 20.6 | Wychwood School | Oxford | Girls | 11 | Boarding |
| 227 | 20.4 | Lime House School | Carlisle | Co-ed | 31 | Boarding |
| 228 | 20 | Saint Felix School | Southwold | Co-ed | 22 | Boarding |
How are the Rankings Measured?
This ranking is based on the percentage of A level entries awarded A* and A grades. However, it is important to note that these information may not be freely available, and some schools may decide not to publish their results.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK Private Schools
Private schools in the UK are funded privately and operate independently, whereas state schools are funded and maintained by the government. Private schools often charge tuition fees, have more autonomy over their curriculum, and offer a wider range of extracurricular activities compared to state schools.
Private schools in the UK are often associated with high academic standards and a track record of excellent results. However, it is important to note that academic performance can vary between schools, and there are also many outstanding state schools in the UK.
Private school fees can vary significantly depending on the school, location, and age of the student. Tuition fees for private schools in the UK can range from several thousand pounds to tens of thousands of pounds per year.
Some private schools in the UK have religious affiliations, such as Church of England or Catholic schools. However, there are also many private schools that are non-denominational or follow different religious traditions, providing a diverse range of options for families.
Choosing the right private school involves considering factors such as academic reputation, location, facilities, extracurricular offerings, school culture, and personal fit for your child. It’s important to research and visit multiple schools, attend open days, and speak with staff and current students to make an informed decision.
Apply To The Top Schools In The UK Today
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