Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most impactful decisions parents can make. Across the UK, a vast selection of schools each offers unique strengths, from academic rigor to specialized extracurriculars, making it important to align a school’s values with your family’s educational goals. To aid in your search, we’re excited to share our 2024 guide to the top independent schools, featuring in-depth insights on their academic standings, student demographics, and boarding and day school fees.
What Defines a Top School?
In these schools, exceptional teaching staff, tailored learning environments, and vibrant extracurricular offerings help students excel. Many of the top independent schools prioritize both intellectual growth and well-rounded development, fostering environments that encourage students to reach their potential both in and out of the classroom.
2024’s Top Schools in the UK
The list highlights schools consistently achieving high scores, particularly in GCSE examinations. Schools in this ranking have not only demonstrated academic excellence but also offer facilities and programs that support students’ broader interests, whether in sports, arts, or STEM initiatives.
# | School | Location | A-Level Success (%) | A-Level Rank | GCSE Success (%) | GCSE Rank |
1 | Barnet | 92.8 | 1 | 95.7 | 3 | |
2 | London | 88.8 | 3 | 98.8 | 1 | |
3 | Wallington | 87.5 | 2 | 95.4 | 4= | |
4 | Kingston upon Thames | 87.5 | 4 | 94.9 | 7 | |
5 | Orpington | 87.1 | 5 | 91 | 17 | |
6 | Cheltenham | 81.3 | 8 | 95 | 6 | |
7 | Altrincham | 79.1 | 9 | 96.8 | 2 | |
8 | King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | Chelmsford | 77.9 | 12= | 93.8 | 11 |
9 | Colchester | 86.2 | 7 | 84 | 34 | |
10 | Reading | 74.8 | 26= | 94.2 | 9 | |
11 | Reading | 79.9 | 12= | 88.7 | 21 | |
12 | King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon | Stratford-upon-Avon | 77.2 | 16 | 91.2 | 16 |
13 | Chelmsford | 71.3 | 39= | 95.4 | 4= | |
14 | Colyton | 76.5 | 10 | 90.1 | 20 | |
15 | Altrincham | 76.3 | 19= | 87.5 | 23 | |
16 | Colchester | 68.4 | 46 | 94 | 10 | |
17 | London | 69.4 | 49= | 91.6 | 14 | |
18 | Tonbridge | 72.1 | 28 | 88.6 | 22 | |
19 | King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys | Birmingham | 68.2 | 31 | 92.3 | 13 |
20 | Stratford Girls’ Grammar School | Stratford-upon-Avon | 65.9 | 22 | 94.4 | 8 |
21 | Birmingham | 66.8 | 59= | 90.3 | 18 | |
22 | Kingston upon Thames | 72.5 | 19= | 84.4 | 31 | |
23 | Orpington | 64.1 | 59= | 92.6 | 12 | |
24 | Dartford | 75.2 | 6 | 81.2 | 43= | |
25 | Wallington | 65 | 59= | 91.3 | 15 | |
26 | Sutton Coldfield | 68.8 | 24 | 87.3 | 24 | |
27 | Langley | 70.8 | 54= | 84.7 | 29 | |
28 | Amersham | 76 | 11 | 77.1 | 61 | |
29 | Sutton | 69.2 | 35= | 83.1 | 36 | |
30 | Cheam | 64.9 | 49= | 87 | 25= | |
31 | The Liverpool Blue Coat School | Liverpool | 70.4 | 32 | 81.4 | 41= |
32 | Little Chalfont | 66 | 37 | 84.6 | 30 | |
33 | Friends’ School Lisburn | Lisburn | 68.5 | 38 | 79.8 | 49= |
34 | Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School | Belfast | 71.3 | 25 | 76.7 | 64= |
35 | Beaconsfield | 66.8 | 56= | 80.4 | 45 | |
36 | Sale | 67 | 44 | 80 | 48 | |
37 | Westcliff-on-Sea | 64.1 | 75= | 82.2 | 38 | |
38 | St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt | Magherafelt | 74.1 | 15 | 72.1 | 87 |
39 | Strathearn School | Belfast | 68.1 | 30 | 77.9 | 56 |
40 | Birmingham | 61 | 67= | 85 | 28 | |
41 | High Wycombe | 63 | 52= | 82.1 | 39 | |
42 | London | 59.7 | 83= | 85.4 | 27 | |
43 | Tunbridge Wells | 61.2 | 64= | 83.2 | 35 | |
44 | Sutton Coldfield | 69.3 | 45 | 75 | 74 | |
45 | Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock | Belfast | 70.7 | 21 | 73.5 | 81= |
46 | Newport | 53.9 | 89 | 90.2 | 19 | |
47 | Gloucester | 59 | 56= | 84.2 | 32 | |
48 | Sullivan Upper School | Holywood | 75.1 | 26= | 67.7 | 100= |
49 | Marlow | 63.7 | 33= | 79 | 51= | |
50 | Tunbridge Wells | 68.1 | 42= | 74.6 | 76= | |
51 | Aylesbury | 61 | 72= | 79.8 | 49= | |
52 | Woodford County High School | Woodford Green | 53 | 135= | 87 | 25= |
53 | Wallington County Grammar School | Wallington | 64.5 | 52= | 75.3 | 71= |
54 | Lumen Christi College | Derry | 61.5 | 47 | 77.8 | 57 |
55 | Rugby | 62 | 58 | 76.8 | 63 | |
56 | Chesham | 57.2 | 88 | 81.2 | 43= | |
57 | Ashford | – | 133= | 69 | 95 | |
58 | High Wycombe | 61.8 | 59= | 75.9 | 68 | |
59 | Salisbury | 61.9 | 90= | 75.7 | 69 | |
60 | Aylesbury | 59.3 | 120= | 77.2 | 60 | |
61 | Bournemouth | 63 | 51 | 71.8 | 88 | |
62 | St Dominic’s School | Belfast | 66.4 | 17= | 68.1 | 98= |
63 | Southend-on-Sea | 57.2 | 67= | 77 | 62 | |
64 | Slough | – | 193= | 67 | 103= | |
65 | Westcliff High School for Girls | Westcliff-on-Sea | 52 | 94= | 81.9 | 40 |
66 | Tonbridge | 59.7 | 92= | 73.5 | 81= | |
67 | Lancaster | 56.3 | 101 | 76.6 | 66 | |
68 | Stroud | 58 | 118= | 74.4 | 78 | |
69 | Altrincham | 56.2 | 63 | 75.4 | 70 | |
70 | Wolverhampton | 47.2 | 185 | 84.1 | 33 | |
71 | Ilford | 54.6 | 158= | 76.7 | 64= | |
72 | Ripon | 59.4 | 79 | 69.9 | 91= | |
73 | Torquay | 59 | 123 | 69.9 | 91= | |
74 | Rugby | 46 | 218= | 81.4 | 41= | |
75 | Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall | Walsall | 49 | 210= | 77.4 | 58= |
76 | Manchester | 47.3 | 206= | 79 | 51= | |
77 | Southend-on-Sea | 50.8 | 111= | 75.3 | 71= | |
78 | Lancaster | 62.9 | 146= | 63.2 | 112= | |
79 | Plymouth | 47.2 | 192 | 78.7 | 54 | |
80 | Omagh Academy | Omagh | 63.1 | 71 | 62.7 | 114= |
81 | Walsall | 45.6 | 200= | 80.1 | 47 | |
82 | Herschel Grammar School | Slough | 46 | 212= | 79 | 51= |
83 | Gloucester | 44.7 | 209 | 80.2 | 46 | |
84 | Sidcup | 55.1 | 98= | 69.7 | 93 | |
85 | Welling | 49.1 | 81= | 74.9 | 75 | |
86 | Haberdashers’ Adams | Newport | 51 | 181= | 73 | 83= |
87 | Salisbury | 44.6 | 220 | 78.5 | 55 | |
88 | Rainey Endowed School | Magherafelt | 56.1 | 48 | 66.9 | 105 |
89 | Banbridge Academy | Banbridge | 61.8 | 54= | 61.1 | 124= |
90 | Heckmondwike | 39.9 | 293 | 83 | 37 | |
91 | Rochester | 58.9 | 23 | 63.7 | 111 | |
92 | Townley Grammar School | Bexleyheath | 47.5 | 152= | 74 | 79 |
93 | Methodist College Belfast | Belfast | 61.2 | 81= | 60.1 | 129 |
94 | Tonbridge | 48 | 104 | 73 | 83= | |
95 | Bebington | 44.9 | 169= | 75.2 | 73 | |
96 | Alcester | 44.7 | 155 | 73.6 | 80 | |
97 | High Wycombe | 46.7 | 228= | 71.3 | 89 | |
98 | Ballymena Academy | Ballymena | 58.2 | 77 | 59.6 | 132= |
99 | Caistor | 48.8 | 198= | 68.7 | 96 | |
100 | The King’s School, Grantham | Grantham | 53.9 | 138 | 62.7 | 114= |
Understanding A-Levels:
For many students at UK independent schools, A-Levels (Advanced Levels) are a major milestone. Taken over two years, usually in the final years of secondary education, A-Levels allow students to specialize in subjects of their choice—ranging from Mathematics and Sciences to Humanities and Arts. These exams play a critical role in university admissions, with different courses and institutions often requiring specific A-Level grades and subjects.
Why A-Levels Matter:
Focused Learning: A-Levels provide a more intensive focus on fewer subjects, allowing students to develop expertise in areas relevant to their career or university aspirations.
University Pathways: Universities in the UK and internationally view A-Level results as key indicators of a student’s readiness for higher education. High scores can also open doors to scholarships and more selective programs.
Grading and Recognition: Graded from A* (highest) to E, A-Levels are globally recognized and respected qualifications that represent a significant academic achievement.
Interested in Grammar Schools?
we offer a separate list detailing some of the top grammar schools across the UK, with information on their admission requirements, academic programs, and more. Visit our grammar schools section for further guidance.
Choosing the right school can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help make the process easier. For tailored advice or any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Progress Academy—your partner in finding the perfect educational environment for your child.
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