Best Private Schools In The UK – The Complete Guide For 2024
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best private schools in the UK. When it comes to providing a top-notch education, these schools have established themselves as beacons of excellence and innovation. From nurturing academic prowess to fostering personal development and providing a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, the private schools in the UK have a reputation for delivering exceptional educational experiences. Whether you’re seeking a prestigious institution with a rich history or a hidden gem that excels in specific areas, this guide will help you navigate the diverse landscape of private schools in the UK and find the perfect fit for your child’s educational journey.
Table of Contents
What is a Private School?
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. Private schools in the UK often charge tuition fees for students to attend, and 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 and 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 factors such as academic reputation, individual attention, specialised programmes, and the belief that private education offers unique opportunities and advantages for their child’s development and future prospects.
UK Private School Fees
Annual school fees for UK private schools range from £3,600 to £57,690. 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 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
1. Cardiff Sixth Form College Review
Cardiff Sixth Form College is simply the definition of academic excellence. In the 2023 A-Levels, 94.7% of students received A*-A grades with 100% of students achieving A*-B 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!
2. 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 2023, 90.1% of the 138 A-Levels candidates achieved A*/A.
3. 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, providing 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.
4. Highgate School Review
Highgate School, located in North London, is a distinguished educational institution with a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. Set within the vibrant community of Highgate, the school provides a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
With 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.
5. Guildford High School Review
Presenting The Sunday Time’s Independent School of the Decade, 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 and raise not only funds, but smiles throughout the community.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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, and 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.
9. Westminster School Review
Westminster School, founded formally by Elizabeth I in 1560, is a bastion of British public school tradition situated in the heart of London. With roots dating back to Benedictine monks educating boys in the 14th century, the school stands as an integral part of the city’s historical tapestry. Nestled in the precincts of Westminster Abbey, the campus is largely located on a World Heritage Site, creating 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, with students confidently navigating 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, such as the longstanding ‘Greaze’ event on Shrove Tuesday, and its commitment to service and community engagement through programmes like Platform, also contribute to the vibrant and multifaceted atmosphere that defines the Westminster School experience.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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 - League Table
| Rank | School Name | A*/A | Candidates | Fees (£) | Location | Boarding Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff Sixth Form College | 94.7 | 155 | £22,300 | Cardiff | Boarding |
| 2 | Oxford International College | 90.1 | 138 | £27,645 | Oxfordshire | Boarding |
| 3 | The Cathedral School Llandaff | 86.4 | 62 | £15,924 | Cardiff | Day |
| 4 | Highgate School | 86.1 | 191 | £25,515 | Greater London | Day |
| 5 | Guildford High School | 84.9 | 93 | £20,847 | Surrey | Day |
| 6 | Queen Ethelburga's College | 83.8 | 75 | £19,695 | North Yorkshire | Boarding |
| 7 | City of London School For Girls | 83.1 | 100 | £23,778 | Greater London | Day |
| 8 | James Allen's Girls' School | 82.5 | 95 | £22,725 | Greater London | Day |
| 9 | Westminster School | 82.3 | 199 | £34,389 | Greater London | Boarding |
| 10 | King's College School (KCS) | 82.3 | 159 | £25,890 | Greater London | Day |
| 11 | Magdalen College School | 82.1 | 155 | £21,777 | Oxfordshire | Day |
| 12 | Brighton College | 80 | 234 | £28,260 | East Sussex | Boarding |
| 13 | St Michael's School | 79.1 | 47 | £14,490 | Carmarthenshire | Boarding |
| 14 | King Edward VI High School for Girls | 77.7 | 92 | £15,129 | West Midlands | Day |
| 15 | The Perse School | 77.7 | 213 | £21,183 | Cambridgeshire | Day |
| 16 | Alleyn's School | 77.4 | 156 | £25,020 | Greater London | Day |
| 17 | Reigate Grammar School | 75.6 | 143 | £22,995 | Surrey | Day |
| 18 | Wycombe Abbey | 74.3 | 98 | £36,000 | Buckinghamshire | Boarding |
| 19 | Eltham College | 73.9 | 113 | £22,230 | Greater London | Day |
| 20 | Withington Girls' School | 73.9 | 68 | £14,676 | Greater Manchester | Day |
| 21 | Royal Grammar School Guildford | 73.7 | 142 | £22,572 | Surrey | Day |
| 22 | Cheltenham Ladies' College | 71.7 | 147 | £33,900 | Gloucestershire | Boarding |
| 23 | Wimbledon High School GDST | 71.2 | 96 | £23,154 | Greater London | Day |
| 24 | The Manchester Grammar School | 71.2 | 196 | £13,980 | Greater Manchester | Day |
| 25 | South Hampstead High School GDST | 70.4 | 63 | £22,764 | Greater London | Day |
| 26 | Howell's School, Llandaff GDST | 69.6 | 73 | £16,302 | Cardiff | Day |
| 27 | Royal Grammar School | 69.6 | 187 | £16,521 | Tyne and Wear | Day |
| 28 | The National Mathematics and Science College | 68.9 | 31 | £14,997 | Warwickshire | Boarding |
| 29 | Merchant Taylors' School | 68.3 | 143 | £23,600 | Hertfordshire | Day |
| 30 | Leicester Grammar School | 68.2 | 108 | £15,918 | Leicestershire | Day |
| 31 | St John's College, Cardiff | 67.6 | 43 | £15,885 | Cardiff | Day |
| 32 | Wellington College | 67.3 | 117 | £32,940 | Berkshire | Boarding |
| 33 | Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST | 66.5 | 69 | £20,868 | Greater London | Day |
| 34 | University College School, Hampstead | 66.2 | 167 | £25,413 | Greater London | Day |
| 35 | Bancroft's School | 66.2 | 123 | £22,770 | Essex | Boarding |
| 36 | Ruthin School | 65.8 | 35 | £16,540 | Denbighshire | Boarding |
| 37 | Canford School | 65.7 | 141 | £34,941 | Dorset | Boarding |
| 38 | King Edward's School | 65 | 121 | £17,250 | Somerset | Day |
| 39 | Dulwich College | 64.8 | 227 | £24,693 | Greater London | Boarding |
| 40 | The Faculty of Queen Ethelburga's | 64.3 | 41 | £19,695 | North Yorkshire | Boarding |
| 41 | Surbiton High School | 64 | 132 | £21,531 | Surrey | Day |
| 42 | Trinity School | 63 | 168 | £22,685 | Surrey | Day |
| 43 | Oundle School | 62.9 | 202 | £27,075 | Northamptonshire | Boarding |
| 44 | Redmaids' High School | 62.6 | 62 | £17,250 | Bristol | Day |
| 45 | Sheffield High School for Girls | 60.7 | 90 | £14,985 | South Yorkshire | Day |
| 46 | Exeter School | 60.7 | 107 | £16,710 | Devon | Day |
| 47 | St Catherine's, Bramley | 59.4 | 79 | £20,925 | Surrey | Boarding |
| 48 | Leicester High School for Girls | 59.4 | 22 | £14,460 | Leicestershire | Day |
| 49 | The Grange School | 59.1 | 82 | £13,065 | Cheshire | Day |
| 50 | St Albans School | 58.9 | 148 | £21,282 | Hertfordshire | Day |
| 51 | Whitgift School | 58.8 | 140 | £24,462 | Greater London | Boarding |
| 52 | Nottingham High School | 58.7 | 129 | £17,937 | Nottinghamshire | Day |
| 53 | The Abbey School | 58.1 | 69 | £21,750 | Berkshire | Day |
| 54 | Epsom College | 57.7 | 195 | £30,909 | Surrey | Boarding |
| 55 | Norwich High School GDST | 57.6 | 43 | £16,023 | Norfolk | Day |
| 56 | Churcher's College | 57.1 | 155 | £18,735 | Hampshire | Day |
| 57 | Burgess Hill Girls | 56.6 | 33 | £22,410 | West Sussex | Boarding |
| 58 | Colfe's School | 56.5 | 126 | £20,460 | Greater London | Day |
| 59 | St Dunstan's College | 56.3 | 68 | £21,321 | Greater London | Day |
| 60 | Ardingly College | 56.3 | 89 | £28,875 | West Sussex | Boarding |
| 61 | Abbey College Cambridge | 55.4 | 113 | £27,900 | Cambridgeshire | Boarding |
| 62 | Roedean School | 55.2 | 91 | £24,660 | East Sussex | Boarding |
| 63 | Walthamstow Hall | 54.8 | 57 | £22,065 | Kent | Day |
| 64 | The Leys School | 54.5 | 100 | £27,600 | Cambridgeshire | Boarding |
| 65 | Ashbourne College | 54 | 280 | £30,000 | Kensington & Chelsea | Day |
| 66 | Bradford Grammar School | 53.4 | 132 | £14,811 | West Yorkshire | Day |
| 67 | Birkenhead School | 53.4 | 46 | £14,865 | Merseyside | Day |
| 68 | Kingswood School | 53.3 | 114 | £18,438 | Somerset | Boarding |
| 69 | d'Overbroeck's | 53.1 | 198 | £28,545 | Oxfordshire | Boarding |
| 70 | St John's Preparatory and Senior School | 53 | 32 | £16,500 | Hertfordshire | Day |
| 71 | The King's School, Canterbury | 52.8 | 213 | £30,900 | Kent | Boarding |
| 72 | Bristol Grammar School | 52.6 | 122 | £17,385 | Bristol | Day |
| 73 | Babington House School | 52.2 | 8 | £18,030 | Kent | Day |
| 74 | Yarm School | 52 | 119 | £14,763 | North Yorkshire | Day |
| 75 | The Grammar School at Leeds | 51.8 | 174 | £16,389 | West Yorkshire | Day |
| 76 | Ibstock Place School | 51.8 | 65 | £25,785 | Greater London | Day |
| 77 | Derby High School | 51.4 | 36 | £15,330 | Derbyshire | Day |
| 78 | Hurtwood House | 50.7 | 164 | £32,388 | Surrey | Boarding |
| 79 | Talbot Heath School | 50.6 | 26 | £17,301 | Dorset | Boarding |
| 80 | Forest School | 50.4 | 136 | £24,555 | Greater London | Day |
| 81 | Queen's College London | 50.3 | 52 | £23,985 | Greater London | Day |
| 82 | Solihull School | 50.2 | 139 | £16,875 | West Midlands | Day |
| 83 | The Royal School Dungannon | 50.2 | 76 | £9,150 | County Tyrone | Boarding |
| 84 | Adcote School for Girls | 50 | 18 | £14,838 | Shropshire | Boarding |
| 85 | RGS Worcester | 49.4 | 125 | £16,794 | Worcestershire | Day |
| 86 | Woodbridge School | 49.4 | 54 | £20,538 | Suffolk | Boarding |
| 87 | The King's School, Chester | 49 | 109 | £14,748 | Cheshire | Day |
| 88 | Cheltenham College | 48.6 | 148 | £32,580 | Gloucestershire | Boarding |
| 89 | Badminton School | 48.5 | 61 | £19,410 | Bristol | Boarding |
| 90 | Immanuel College | 48.4 | 67 | £22,509 | Hertfordshire | Day |
| 91 | Ipswich School | 48.2 | 146 | £19,704 | Suffolk | Boarding |
| 92 | St John's School | 48.2 | 128 | £27,360 | Surrey | Boarding |
| 93 | The Maynard School | 48.2 | 53 | £16,542 | Devon | Day |
| 94 | Chigwell School | 48 | 103 | £22,635 | Essex | Boarding |
| 95 | Clifton High School | 47.7 | 41 | £16,530 | Bristol | Day |
| 96 | Farnborough Hill | 47.3 | 30 | £17,985 | Hampshire | Day |
| 97 | Loughborough Grammar School | 47.1 | 113 | £16,170 | Leicestershire | Boarding |
| 98 | Dame Allan's Senior Schools | 46.9 | 112 | £14,997 | Tyne and Wear | Day |
| 99 | St George's School, Edinburgh | 46.7 | 11 | £16,359 | Midlothian | Boarding |
| 100 | Norwich School | 46.5 | 167 | £18,855 | Norfolk | Day |
| 101 | Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST | 46.4 | 68 | £17,937 | Nottinghamshire | Day |
| 102 | Loughborough High School | 45.8 | 69 | £16,170 | Leicestershire | Day |
| 103 | Wolverhampton Grammar School | 45.1 | 59 | £15,600 | West Midlands | Day |
| 104 | Bromley High School GDST | 44.9 | 68 | £20,562 | Greater London | Day |
| 105 | The King's School | 44.8 | 123 | £17,295 | Worcestershire | Day |
| 106 | The King's School in Macclesfield | 44.8 | 114 | £15,315 | Cheshire | Day |
| 107 | Haileybury | 43.9 | 122 | £32,355 | Hertfordshire | Boarding |
| 108 | CATS Cambridge | 43.8 | 27 | £18,990 | Cambridgeshire | Boarding |
| 109 | Hill House School | 43.5 | 50 | £19,800 | South Yorkshire | Day |
| 110 | Reading Blue Coat School | 43.4 | 144 | £19,965 | Berkshire | Day |
| 111 | Bedford School | 42.9 | 116 | £21,945 | Bedfordshire | Boarding |
| 112 | Queen's Gate School | 42.9 | 39 | £25,326 | Greater London | Day |
| 113 | Gresham's School | 42.6 | 88 | £29,100 | Norfolk | Boarding |
| 114 | St Gabriel's School | 42.4 | 21 | £21,078 | Berkshire | Day |
| 115 | St Gerard's School Trust | 42.1 | 6 | £12,480 | Gwynedd | Day |
| 116 | Queen Elizabeth's Hospital | 41.5 | 109 | £17,085 | Bristol | Day |
| 117 | Wellingborough School | 41.5 | 80 | £19,071 | Northamptonshire | Day |
| 118 | Brentwood School | 41.4 | 150 | £21,783 | Essex | Boarding |
| 119 | West Buckland School | 41 | 83 | £18,420 | Devon | Boarding |
| 120 | AKS Lytham | 40.7 | 40 | £13,659 | Lancashire | Day |
| 121 | Bablake School | 40.1 | 86 | £15,150 | West Midlands | Day |
| 122 | Cheadle Hulme School | 40 | 129 | £14,592 | Cheshire | Day |
| 123 | St Benedict's School | 39.8 | 92 | £20,907 | Greater London | Day |
| 124 | Wetherby Senior School | 39.2 | 42 | £29,085 | Greater London | Day |
| 125 | Stafford Grammar School | 39.2 | 41 | £13,938 | Staffordshire | Day |
| 126 | Oldham Hulme Grammar School | 38.9 | 53 | £13,470 | Greater Manchester | Day |
| 127 | Kimbolton School | 38.8 | 99 | £18,015 | Cambridgeshire | Boarding |
| 128 | King Henry VIII School | 38.6 | 77 | £15,150 | West Midlands | Day |
| 129 | Newcastle High School for Girls GDST | 38 | 61 | £14,331 | Tyne and Wear | Day |
| 130 | Jersey College for Girls | 37.9 | 103 | £7,404 | Channel Islands | Boarding |
| 131 | Bolton School Girls' Division | 37.8 | 108 | £13,632 | Greater Manchester | Day |
| 132 | Ryde School | 37.5 | 47 | £14,190 | Isle of Wight | Boarding |
| 133 | Victoria College | 37.2 | 77 | £7,512 | Channel Islands | Day |
| 134 | Claremont Fan Court School | 37.1 | 67 | £22,005 | Surrey | Day |
| 135 | Salesian College | 36.3 | 81 | £14,703 | Hampshire | Day |
| 136 | The John Lyon School | 36.1 | 56 | £21,300 | Greater London | Day |
| 137 | Streatham and Clapham High School GDST | 35.8 | 58 | £21,003 | Greater London | Day |
| 138 | Brockwood Park School and Inwoods Small School | 35.7 | 14 | £24,400 | Hampshire | Boarding |
| 139 | Old Palace of John Whitgift School | 35.7 | 45 | £19,350 | Greater London | Day |
| 140 | Mander Portman Woodward (MPW) | 35.6 | 231 | £34,233 | Greater London | Day |
| 141 | The Mount School York | 35.5 | 20 | £20,910 | North Yorkshire | Boarding |
| 142 | Stockport Grammar School | 35.2 | 156 | £13,215 | Cheshire | Day |
| 143 | The Ladies' College | 35.1 | 53 | £14,010 | Channel Islands | Day |
| 144 | Saint Felix School | 34.8 | 23 | £19,305 | Suffolk | Boarding |
| 145 | Battle Abbey School | 34.3 | 50 | £19,782 | East Sussex | Boarding |
| 146 | Durham High School for Girls | 33.3 | 23 | £14,952 | Durham | Day |
| 147 | Lichfield Cathedral School | 33.3 | 28 | £15,588 | Staffordshire | Day |
| 148 | St Margaret's School | 33.3 | 28 | £19,269 | Hertfordshire | Boarding |
| 149 | Stover School | 33.3 | 17 | £14,730 | Devon | Boarding |
| 150 | St Columba's College | 33 | 70 | £19,338 | Hertfordshire | Day |
| 151 | Lewes Old Grammar School | 32.5 | 31 | £16,182 | East Sussex | Day |
| 152 | St Joseph's College | 31.9 | 48 | £18,063 | Berkshire | Boarding |
| 153 | Oakham School | 31.7 | 141 | £26,100 | Rutland | Boarding |
| 154 | Ashford School | 31.6 | 60 | £20,358 | Kent | Boarding |
| 155 | Hymers College | 31.6 | 92 | £13,032 | East Yorkshire | Day |
| 156 | Wychwood School | 30.8 | 13 | £20,811 | Oxfordshire | Boarding |
| 157 | Elizabeth College | 30.6 | 86 | £14,721 | Channel Islands | Day |
| 158 | Sutton High School GDST | 30.6 | 34 | £20,313 | Surrey | Day |
| 159 | Denstone College and The Prep at Denstone College | 30.6 | 91 | £19,749 | Staffordshire | Boarding |
| 160 | Thetford Grammar School | 30.5 | 27 | £15,495 | Norfolk | Boarding |
| 161 | Christ College | 30.4 | 56 | £22,005 | Powys | Boarding |
| 162 | Loretto School | 30.2 | 81 | £25,155 | East Lothian | Boarding |
| 163 | Read School | 30 | 8 | £14,289 | North Yorkshire | Boarding |
| 164 | Shrewsbury High School GDST | 29.4 | 42 | £16,731 | Shropshire | Day |
| 165 | Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation | 29.1 | 62 | £16,794 | Durham | Boarding |
| 166 | Royal Hospital School | 28.8 | 110 | £22,239 | Suffolk | Boarding |
| 167 | Alderley Edge School for Girls | 28.7 | 28 | £15,165 | Cheshire | Day |
| 168 | Queenswood | 28.4 | 43 | £28,380 | Hertfordshire | Boarding |
| 169 | Leighton Park School | 28.2 | 64 | £28,230 | Berkshire | Boarding |
| 170 | Hampstead Fine Arts College | 27.9 | 94 | £26,160 | Greater London | Day |
| 171 | Kingham Hill School | 26.9 | 41 | £23,325 | Oxfordshire | Boarding |
| 172 | St Edmund's School Canterbury | 25.5 | 48 | £24,360 | Kent | Boarding |
| 173 | Plymouth College | 25.4 | 55 | £19,929 | Devon | Boarding |
| 174 | St Mary's College | 25.3 | 56 | £12,396 | Merseyside | Day |
| 175 | Westfield School | 25 | 11 | £16,686 | Tyne and Wear | Day |
| 176 | Box Hill School | 24.7 | 26 | £23,745 | Surrey | Boarding |
| 177 | Mander Portman Woodward Birmingham | 24.6 | 72 | £23,913 | West Midlands | Day |
| 178 | Elmhurst Ballet School | 23.5 | 16 | £20,436 | West Midlands | Boarding |
| 179 | Rochester Independent College | 23.5 | 109 | £22,800 | Kent | Boarding |
| 180 | Ealing Independent College | 22.2 | 26 | £18,495 | Greater London | Day |
| 181 | Rye St Antony School | 22.2 | 20 | £20,250 | Oxfordshire | Boarding |
| 182 | Langley | 21.7 | 41 | £17,880 | Norfolk | Day |
| 183 | Sackville School | 21.1 | 16 | £18,690 | Kent | Day |
| 184 | Buckswood School | 20.9 | 29 | £16,350 | East Sussex | Boarding |
| 185 | Tring Park School for the Performing Arts | 20.6 | 61 | £25,755 | Hertfordshire | Boarding |
| 186 | Kensington Park School | 20.5 | 37 | £27,350 | Greater London | Boarding |
| 187 | More House School | 19.6 | 18 | £24,825 | Greater London | Day |
| 188 | Claires Court | 18.9 | 78 | £18,990 | Berkshire | Day |
| 189 | Sherrardswood School | 18.7 | 35 | £19,017 | Hertfordshire | Day |
| 190 | Mount Kelly | 18.4 | 75 | £20,970 | Devon | Boarding |
| 191 | St Edward's Senior & Sixth Form | 15.6 | 26 | £18,915 | Gloucestershire | Day |
| 192 | Glenalmond College | 14.1 | 73 | £25,275 | Perthshire and Kinross | Boarding |
| 193 | Highclare School | 14 | 17 | £15,975 | West Midlands | Day |
| 194 | St James Senior Boys' School | 12.9 | 35 | £22,905 | Surrey | Day |
| 195 | St Bede's College | 12.3 | 49 | £12,675 | Greater Manchester | Day |
| 196 | St Dominic’s Grammar School, Brewood | 6.8 | 15 | £8,925 | Staffordshire | Day |
| 197 | Alton School | 0 | 1 | £14,985 | Hampshire | Day |
| 198 | Padworth College | 0 | 4 | £18,645 | Berkshire | Boarding |
How are the Rankings Measured?
This ranking is based on the percentage of GCSE/IGCSE entries awarded 9-7 or A* and A grades. However, it is important to note that these information are not 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.
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