Top 100 Grammar Schools in the UK (2026 Edition)

Written by Louise Lang (Education Expert)

Overview of Grammar School Rankings 2026

If you’re looking into grammar schools for your child, it can quickly become overwhelming – each county does things slightly differently, and no matter who you speak to, all have a slightly different experience to share. One family might talk about years of tutoring, while another insists their child just ‘had a go’ and somehow made it through. The truth usually sits somewhere in between.

Each winter, families across the UK wait to see which schools have climbed, dipped or held their place in the rankings. These tables tell real stories of consistency, dedication and how selective education is changing – or not – across the country.

With over 160 grammar schools across England and Northern Ireland, and almost forty in Kent alone, the choice increases confusion about whether to focus locally or look at the top schools nationally. The answer often depends on what feels right for your child, not just what looks best on paper.

That’s why we’ve taken the latest rankings and turned them into something practical: a clear, parent-friendly guide to the Top 100 Grammar Schools in the UK. You’ll find verified results, insights on how the rankings work and a simple breakdown of what makes each school stand out.

The data comes straight from The Times Parent Power 2026 report, which uses exam results from summer 2025. It looks at the proportion of top grades, A*–B at A-level and 9–7 at GCSE, to give a fair reflection of long-term academic performance.

If you’re comparing schools, this is a good place to start. You’ll see how different regions perform, which schools are climbing the tables and what that might mean when you’re thinking about the 11 Plus.

The Top 100 Grammar Schools in the UK (2026)

Below, you’ll find a full list of the Top 100 Grammar Schools in the UK, based on verified exam results from 2025. Each school is ranked using both A-level and GCSE outcomes, so it reflects performance across all year groups.

This table is here to help parents and families understand how grammar schools compare nationally.

Note: The “=” symbol indicates schools with a joint ranking (equal overall scores).

Table caption: Source: The Times Parent Power 2026 (published December 2025). Compiled by Helen Davies, Education Editor, The Sunday Times.

Use this data to compare local schools, identify regional strengths and understand national performance trends. Schools are listed alongside their entry type, A-level and GCSE outcomes, and the 11+ exam style used in their admissions process.

The Top 10 Grammar Schools in the UK (2026)

Ever wondered what really sets the highest-ranking grammar schools apart? It often comes down to consistency, not just brilliant results one year, but a steady pattern of high standards and supportive environments. These are schools that get the balance right: ambitious, structured, but still caring enough that pupils actually enjoy being there!

Here’s a closer look at the top ten schools on this year’s Power 2026 rankings.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys)

Change: Up 1 position from 2025

QE Boys is known for its focus, discipline and excellent results. In 2025, it achieved 97.6% of A-levels at A* to B and 95.5% of GCSEs at 9–7. Over 2,000 boys compete each year for around 180 places, so entry is as competitive as it gets.

What makes QE stand out, though, isn’t just the grades, it’s the culture. There’s a strong sense of community, and pupils get a lot of opportunities to explore leadership, music and debate. It’s serious about academics, but it’s also a place that helps pupils grow into confident, independent thinkers.

It’s been awarded the overall winner for the State Secondary School of the Year 2026.

Wilson’s School, Wallington (South London)

Change: Up 1 position from 2025

Wilson’s has a great reputation for balancing strong academic standards with pastoral care. It achieved 95.4% A-level grades at A* to B and 97.4% GCSEs at 9–7 in 2025.

The school runs on clear values: hard work, kindness and humility. Selective, yes, pushy no. Parents often say they like how Wilson’s encourages confidence without arrogance, helping pupils build quiet confidence rather than mere competitiveness.

It has been awarded State Secondary School of the Year for GCSEs.

St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington (Kent)

St Olave’s is one of those schools that combines tradition with a modern, supportive feel. It achieved 93.4% A-level A* to B and 95.1% GCSE 9–7 results in 2025, keeping it firmly near the top.

Entry involves a two-stage process and competition is high, but families often talk about how approachable the teachers are and how the school genuinely looks after its pupils. It’s academic, yes, but also down to earth; that mix is what keeps it one of the most respected schools in Kent.

Colchester Royal Grammar School, Essex

Change: Up 3 positions from 2025

Colchester Royal Grammar (CRGS) is a boys’ school that’s consistently strong, achieving 95.5% A-level  A* to B and 88.4% GCSE 9–7 in 2025. It has a long history and a real sense of pride, but it’s not stuck in the past. The school has embraced new ways of learning while keeping high academic expectations.

Many who’ve been part of the school community talk about how open and supportive the staff are and how much the school focuses on supporting each boy’s personal development, not just grades.

It has been awarded State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence for East Anglia.

The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston upon Thames (London)

Change: Up 1 position from 2025

Tiffin Girls’ has built a reputation for excellence with 89.9% of A-levels at A* to B and 95.7% of GCSEs at 9–7 this year. The school’s two-stage entry process is challenging, but it’s designed to find pupils who can think creatively and stay calm under pressure.

Parents often describe it as a school that expects a lot but gives just as much in return. Pupils leave with excellent results and a real sense of community spirit.

Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham (Gloucestershire)

Change: Down 1 position from 2025 (Note: this is a 0.3% decrease on A-level grades A* to B but a 1.1% increase in GCSE 9–7 results)

If you’re based further west, Pate’s is the standout choice. It’s a co-ed grammar school that’s been performing at the very top for years. In 2025, it recorded 92.6% A-level A* to B and 90% GCSE 9–7 results.

What’s lovely about Pate’s is its mix of ambition and warmth. It’s academically strong but still has a very inclusive, creative atmosphere. Pupils are encouraged to think broadly and get involved in everything from music to digital innovation. It was named South West State School of the Year for the second time in a row – well deserved!

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford (Essex)

Change: Up 2 positions from 2025

The school has a reputation for stretching pupils academically while keeping learning interesting and practical. Parents say KEGS manages to balance tradition with a modern outlook, which is part of its long-term success.

It has been awarded the Birmingham and Midlands State Secondary School of the Year and State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence. 

The Henrietta Barnett School (HBS), North London

Change: Down 7 positions from 2025 (Note: While this is a 9.2% change on A-level grades A* to B and a 0.3% decrease in GCSE 9–7 results. HBS is still squarely in the Top 10 performers)

If there’s one name that always comes up when grammar schools are mentioned, it’s Henrietta Barnett. Year after year, it leads the rankings, and 2025 is no different. The school achieved an incredible 86% of A-level grades at A* to B and 97.2% of GCSEs at 9–7.

Entry is tough; more than 2,500 girls apply for fewer than 100 places, but what stands out is the balance between academics and creativity. Pupils are encouraged to think independently and develop their own interests, not just chase grades.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Greater Manchester

Change: Down 1 position from 2025 (Note: The score for A-level grades A* to B remains 91.3%, but saw a 4.3% decrease in GCSE 9–7 results)

Altrincham Grammar is one of the North’s top performers. It achieved 91.3% A-level A* to B and 86.1% GCSE 9–7 results this year.

It’s known for being ambitious but friendly, with teachers who really understand how to bring out the best in each pupil. Families often say the atmosphere feels warm and supportive, serious about learning, but never intimidating.

It has been awarded State Secondary School of the Year and State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence for the North West.

Reading School, Reading

Change: Up 2 positions from 2025

Reading School is a distinguished boys’ grammar school with academy status. It has produced outstanding results that have raised its ranking by two places: 88.8% A-level A* to B and 88.9% GCSE 9–7 in 2025.

Reading School has a comprehensive curriculum complemented by an impressive extracurricular programme of sports and clubs to foster holistic growth. The supportive environment champions intellectual curiosity, perseverance and independent thinking, which empowers academic and personal development.

It has been awarded State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence for the Southeast.

Regional Highlights (2026)

Some areas of the UK have had selective education for generations, while others are newer to it. What’s interesting in this year’s Parent Power results is how the balance is starting to shift. Schools outside the South East are climbing steadily, and the gap between regions isn’t as wide as it once was.

London and the South East

London continues to dominate the rankings, with 29 of the Top 100 grammar schools based in and around the capital (London = 5, surrounding boroughs & M25 Periphery = 24). The South East (including Buckinghamshire, Kent, Berkshire and Surrey), remains the strongest region overall with 24 schools.

Schools such as Tiffin School, The Latymer School, Sutton Grammar School and Bexley Grammar School all continue to deliver excellent results year after year. But what families often mention is the range of options: you don’t have to be in the absolute top few to find a school that gets great outcomes and looks after its pupils well.

In Kent alone, almost forty grammar schools serve local families, which means you’ll find plenty of choice but also stiff competition. Entry numbers can feel daunting, but the advantage is that the system is familiar and well-supported. Most parents you talk to in Kent can tell you exactly which test is coming up, where to get good practice papers and where to sit mock exams.

Grammar schools make up about 14% of all secondary schools in the South East – the highest anywhere in the country. That long-standing tradition of selective education explains why so many of the names on this list come from this part of the country.

South & South West

Selective education is less common in the South and South West, but the schools that do exist continue to perform strongly in this year’s Parent Power results.

South Wilts Grammar School for Girls was named State Secondary School of the Year in the Southwest 2026, having climbed 50 positions to reach 45th place, incredible! While Pate’s Grammar School continues to deliver consistent academic results. Both schools appear in the national picture for consistently strong GCSE and A-level outcomes.

The Midlands

The Midlands has a more even spread of grammar schools, but the results are getting stronger every year. Schools such as King Edward VI High School for Girls (Birmingham), Stratford Girls’ Grammar School, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls have all performed exceptionally well this year.

Families here tend to like the balance, of strong academic results but often with smaller cohorts and lower admissions than in the South East. There’s also a real emphasis on wellbeing and personal development. For example, Camp Hill and Stratford Girls’ Grammar School have has been recognised for combining academic stretch with a focus on pupil happiness.

Across the region, grammar schools represent around 8 per cent of all secondary schools, mostly concentrated around Birmingham, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. Parents in the area often describe them as “big enough to feel ambitious but small enough to feel personal.”

North of England

The North of England and Northern Ireland are both on the rise. More schools from these regions are appearing in the upper half of the national table each year, closing the gap with their southern counterparts.

Schools like Ripon Grammar, Heckmondwike Grammar School and North Halifax Grammar School continue to lead with strong exam results.

Northern Ireland

Across Northern Ireland, selective schools follow the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) framework. Participation remains high and roughly 6% of secondary education is still selective. Strathearn School, Rathmore Grammar and St Dominic’s Grammar School remain strong performers in Northern Ireland.

Trends and Insights (2026 Edition)

When you look at this year’s rankings as a whole, a few patterns stand out:

More Balance Between Regions

A few years ago, the South East completely dominated the grammar school scene. That’s still true up to a point, but schools in the Midlands and North are catching up. More regional names are appearing in the top 50, suggesting high-quality teaching and exam preparation are spreading beyond traditional hotspots.

This means parents no longer have to move counties or commute miles just to find an excellent  grammar school.

Consistency is More Reliable

The Times looks at results over time rather than single-year peaks, focusing on schools that perform strongly year after year. That’s important because it rewards consistency, not just one-off results after an unusually strong year group.

If you’re thinking about applying to a grammar school, it’s worth keeping in mind that the schools that climb steadily in these tables are usually the ones that also support pupils well through GCSEs and A-levels.

A Shift Towards STEM and Innovation

There’s a noticeable rise in awards and recognition for science and technology. Schools such as Wilson’s, Camp Hill and Tiffin Girls’ have all gained national attention for robotics, engineering and computing projects.

Overall, more grammar schools are encouraging more practical, hands-on learning and not just focusing on exam performance. More schools are running STEM clubs, coding workshops and getting involved in national competitions. That’s a big plus if your child’s strengths lean towards problem-solving or creative design.

More Inclusive Preparation Support

One thing many people will welcome is that grammar schools are becoming more open with their admissions guidance. More schools now publish clear information about their test formats and even run free familiarisation sessions for pupils from all backgrounds.

A few have started offering outreach programmes for children eligible for Pupil Premium or who don’t have access to tutoring. 

Parents Still Value the Balance

When speaking to our families who’ve gone through the 11+ recently, a common theme comes up: whilst the preparation to get in was tough – on all the family – it’s worth it. They believe that surrounding their child with other high achievers fosters greater motivation and curiosity amongst peers. A grammar school provides a clear, merit-based pathway to top universities and professional careers that might otherwise feel inaccessible.

That’s probably the biggest takeaway from the 2026 results – grammar schools are evolving but maintaining their high standards, steady guidance and intellectual spark.

How to Prepare for Grammar School Entry

If your child is thinking about a grammar school place, you’ve probably already heard how competitive the 11 Plus can be. As some of the above stats show, there are often between eight to twelve applications for every single spot. This may sound daunting, but with a calm plan, it’s very manageable. Most children who do well have one thing in common: steady, early preparation that builds both the foundations and confidence bit by bit. This reduces the pressure on both your child and you.

You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with understanding how the exam works, create a weekly routine and focus on practice with progress.

So, where do you actually start? Here’s how most families begin their grammar school journey:

Understand the Format Early

Every region has its own version of the 11 Plus, and the differences matter.

In Kent, Buckinghamshire and the Midlands, pupils usually sit a standardised multi-subject test. Essex uses the CSSE format, while Sutton and nearby boroughs use the Selective Eligibility Test (SET).

Some schools also include written tasks in English and Creative Writing, so it’s important to know what’s being tested early on. A quick look at your target school’s website or the local consortium page will save a lot of guesswork later.

Build Confidence in English for the 11+

If your child’s exam includes Creative Writing or comprehension questions, these resources will help strengthen clarity, structure and timing under real exam conditions.

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Many parents find it helpful to work through a sample or school-specific practice paper slowly with their child and mark the question types they haven’t seen before. This initial diagnostic will give a clear idea of what to focus on first.

Build a Manageable Routine

Cramming doesn’t work for the 11 Plus, but regular, bite-sized practice does!

Every child learns at their own pace, but as a general guide, most families will be undertaking the equivalent of one paper midweek and one at the weekend, ideally starting from Year 4 (using age-specific, Pre 11+ practice papers) or early Year 5. Short, focused sessions help children stay engaged and avoid burnout.

Aim for around 30 to 40 minutes at a time. Keep sessions calm and celebrate effort as much as achievement. The goal should always be progress and confidence.

Don’t worry if you miss a few sessions. Just pick up where you left off. What matters most is keeping learning part of your normal week, not something that takes over the household.

Recreate Exam Conditions

One of the best ways to prepare for the real thing is to experience it. Sitting a mock exam under timed conditions can make a huge difference. It teaches children how to manage time, stay calm and move on from tricky questions without getting stuck. Most grammar school exams are very time-pressured, so it’s essential to practise in this environment to avoid surprises or additional stress on exam day.

Most notice a clear improvement after two or three mocks. Children start treating the paper as something to manage, not fear.

If your local area runs 11 Plus mock exams, it’s worth signing up for one or two in the months before the real test. You should try and experience a few different providers if you can.

Target Weak Areas Early

Every child has subjects they’re strong in and others that need more time to grasp. Once you’ve done a few practice papers, it becomes easier to see where the gaps are; for example, you might identify timing in Maths or tricky verbal reasoning questions that need attention. Every child is different.

When reviewing a paper, ask your child: ‘What did you find hardest?’ or ‘Where did you struggle with time?’ During the early preparation phase, focusing on approach rather than marks builds resilience and problem-solving skills. Progress can feel slow at first, but every bit of work you and your child put in adds up. The confidence that this builds will carry straight into the real exam.

Keep Things Balanced

It’s easy for grammar school prep to take over, but children do best when they feel well-rested and supported.

A balanced diet, early nights and time away from study and screens all make a big difference to concentration. Short breaks – a walk, a kickabout or even a weekend off workbooks once in a while – will help reset their energy and focus.

Most children who do well study anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour a day in the final lead-up to the real exams – which, for the majority of grammar school preparation, means August, during the summer holidays before Year 6. It’s slightly different for Northern Ireland, where grammar school exams take place in November, and there will be an extended final prep period for those children who have second-stage exams.  But nonetheless, learning should feel like a part of the week, not the whole week!

Get Some Extra Help If You Need It

If your child needs more structure, professional support can really help.

A good tutor or online course provides accountability, regular feedback, professional benchmarking and a sense of progress. The key is finding someone who understands your region’s test format, not just general 11 Plus material and who ‘clicks’ with your child.

Tutoring isn’t essential for every child, but it can make a difference for those who need a little extra guidance or for specific areas that need concentrated work. Many parents say it helps keep things calm at home because someone else takes on the planning and feedback.

You can explore our online tuition service if you’re looking for tailored, one-to-one tuition from vetted and experienced 11 Plus specialists.

Use Reliable Practice Materials

Finally, make sure you’re using resources that match the real exams.

All Exam Papers Plus 11+ papers are written by former teachers and experienced exam markers, so they follow the correct structure, timing and difficulty level for each grammar school or region. Using the right material early saves time later and ensures every practice session builds relevant skills.

● School-specific 11+ Practice Papers – covering English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, written by exam experts.
● Online Diagnostics – Pinpoint your child’s strengths and gaps with school-specific reports that guide focused, confident 11+ preparation.
● Diagnostics – expert-designed assessments to map your child’s current performance across subjects.
● Tuition – one-to-one 11+ support with experienced former teachers and tutors.
● Grammar School Bundles – curated packs mapped to specific grammar schools, containing all the preparation material you need.
● 10-minute Tests – bite-sized practice tests that can be slotted in easily between extra-curricular activities, keeping skills sharp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Have We Learned?

If there’s one thing the 2026 results show, it’s that grammar schools continue to hold their own in exam results. Whether your child is sitting the 11 Plus this year or you’re just planning ahead, it helps to know what makes these schools stand out and how to prepare strategically for your chosen school.

The top schools enjoy brilliant academic results, of course, but they also create environments where pupils can work hard, be supported and enjoy learning. It’s that mix of structure and encouragement that so many parents talk about and aspire to for their children. 

Here are a few key things to remember from this year’s findings:

✔ Strong results across the board. Grammar schools make up just 5% of all UK secondary schools, yet they continue to produce some of the highest GCSE and A-level outcomes in the country.

✔ Steady preparation beats last-minute panic. Most successful applicants start light familiarisation 18 months (in Year 4)  to a year in advance.

✔ Reliable practice builds results. Using structured materials that match real exam styles helps children prepare efficiently and reduces anxiety.

✔ Support matters. Good study routines, balanced schedules and the right mix of high-quality, accurate materials make a big difference to confidence on exam day.

✔ There’s no single ‘best’ school. The right fit for your child depends on their personality and comfort, and even the commute – not just rankings.

We hope you found this guide useful. For more expert 11+ insights and practical tips, explore our 11+ Advice Hub.

Have a question? Email us and we’ll be happy to help.