Top 100 Independent Schools in the UK (2026 Edition)

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4. Godolphin and Latymer, London

Godolphin and Latymer School is one of the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK

Change: Up 2 positions from 2025

An independent day school for girls in Hammersmith, Godolphin and Latymer delivers strong results at A-level and GCSE, ranking fourth nationally in 2026. Its 2025 results saw 97.5% of A-levels at A* to B and 96.9% of GCSEs at 9–7. Its curriculum blends academic challenge with creative study and research opportunities, encouraging curiosity across arts, languages and science. The school is widely recognised for its academic consistency and well-rounded provision.

➡️ Read our Godolphin and Latymer School 11+ Guide

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5. Guildford High School, Surrey

Change: Up 3 positions from 2025

Guildford High School (GHS) continues to post excellent results at both GCSE and A-level, placing it fifth overall in the 2026 Parent Power table. It produced 97.3% of A-levels at A* to B and 96.7% of GCSEs at 9–7. The school’s approach balances academic focus with a rich programme of co-curricular activity, from sport and music to the arts. Its long-standing emphasis on balance and wellbeing supports consistent pupil performance year after year.

➡️ Read our Guildford High School 11+ Guide

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6. St Paul’s Girls’ School, London

St Paul's Girls' School is one of the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK

Change: Down 5 positions from 2025 (Note: this may appear like a significant drop from first place in 2025, but with a drop of only 2.5% A-levels A* to B and an increase of 1% for GCSEs 9–7, it reflects the highly competitive nature of high-quality independent school education.)

Founded in 1904, St Paul’s Girls’ School (SPGS) is one of the UK’s most selective independent schools. For 2025’s summer results, it ranked sixth place thanks to 95.6% of A-levels at A* to B and 99.5% of GCSEs at 9–7. The school is recognised for combining academic depth with creative and cultural studies, maintaining outstanding results at both A-level and GCSE.

➡️ Read our St Paul’s Girls’ School 11+ Guide

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7. King’s College School, Wimbledon

King's College, Wimbledon, is one of the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK

Change: Down 4 positions from 2025 (Note: this is another example of incredible competition amongst high-quality independent schools. In context, the change in results from 2025 shows an impressive 8% increase in GCSE 9–7 grades and less than one percent decrease in A-level A* to B results.)

King’s College School (KCS) maintains a reputation for consistent academic success, ranking seventh nationally in 2026 after achieving 96.2% of A-levels at A* to B and 98.2% of GCSEs at 9–7. These results are supported by excellent facilities and an inclusive school community. The curriculum combines academic rigour with creative and co-curricular breadth, including music, debating and community outreach.

➡️ Read our King’s College School 11+ Guide

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8. Westminster School, London

Westminster School is one of the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK

Change: Down 3 positions from 2025 (Note: Westminster remains squarely in the Top 10 Independent Schools in the UK. It scored distinguishing 96.3% A-level A* to B results and 97.6% in GCSE 9–7 grades.)

Located beside Westminster Abbey, this historic London school combines strong A-level and GCSE results with a curriculum built around debate, inquiry and analytical thinking. Ranked eighth nationally in 2026, Westminster is co-ed and offers both day and boarding places and is recognised for producing consistently high outcomes across sciences, humanities and languages.

➡️ Read our Westminster School 11+ Guide

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9. City of London School for Girls, London

City of London School for Girls is one of the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK

Change: No change in position from 2025

Located in the Barbican, City of London School for Girls (CLSG) comes in 9th for 2025’s summer results. It achieved 95.7% A-level A* to B results, and 95.4% 9–7 GCSE scores. What sets CLSG apart is that it combines high GCSE and A-level outcomes with a broad co-curricular programme that develops communication, confidence and creativity. The school is recognised for its inclusive environment and steady academic performance across all subjects.

➡️ Read our City of London School for Girls 11+ Guide.

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10. Latymer Upper School, London – New Entrant!

Latymer Upper School joined the Top 10 Independent Schools in the UK ranks in 2026.

Change: Latymer Upper School broke into the Top 10 after rising from 16th position for Independent Schools in 2025.

Located in Hammersmith, London, Latymer Upper School is a prestigious co-ed independent school with a 400-year history. The school is notable for having the highest Oxford and Cambridge University acceptance rates in the country, thanks to its competitive, diverse and stimulating academic environment. Latymer Upper fosters a strong arts and culture tradition, extensive sports facilities, clubs and societies for well-rounded physical, mental and social development.

➡️ Read our Latymer Upper School 11+ Guide

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Honourable Mention

King Edward VI High School just missed the Top 10 Independent Schools based on summer 2025 exam results by dropping 1 position. It achieved an admirable 94.9% A-level A* to B result and 96.6% 9–7 GCSE scores.

Regional Highlights (2026)

Independent school performance remains strong nationwide in 2026, with London and the South East leading the rankings and other regions continuing to strengthen year on year.

London and the South East

London continues to lead the independent-school sector, with 14 of the Top 20 schools located in Greater London.

Top performers include St Paul’s School, North London Collegiate School, Godolphin and Latymer School, St Paul’s Girls’ School, King’s Wimbledon, Westminster School, City of London School for Girls and Latymer Upper, all recognised for consistently high A-level and GCSE results and all appearing in the Top Ten.

In the South East, Brighton College secured triple honours, including Independent Boarding School of the Year, Independent Coeducational Secondary School of the Year and Independent Secondary School of the Year in the Southeast for Academic Excellence. It’s impressive to note this school’s trajectory of improvement, ranking 147th in the Parent Power Independent School League in 2006, breaking into the Top 20 in 2011, and now 2nd place in Parent Power 2026.

Also worth mentioning is that Guildford High School (5th place) landed the Independent Secondary School of the Year in the Southeast!

South & South West

The South and South West continued to perform well in Parent Power 2026, with several schools ranked among the UK’s top 100.

Cheltenham Ladies’ College (62nd), King Edward’s School, Bath (70th and up 17 positions), Redmaids’ High School, Bristol (86th and up 37 positions), and The Maynard School, Exeter (93rd – Tied with Solihull School – and breaking into the Top 100).

Cheltenham Ladies’ College (Gloucestershire) was recognised for Academic Excellence in the South West 2026, while King Edward’s School (Bath) earned the title of Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West for 2026.

The region shows consistent academic achievement alongside growing regional boarding demand, reflecting its strong performance across both day and boarding schools.

Midlands

The Midlands continues to perform steadily, with King Edward VI High School for Girls (Birmingham) awarded Academic Excellence in the West Midlands for the second year in a row and Solihull School named Independent School of the Year in the West Midlands 2026.

While only one Midlands school appears in the national Top 20 (King Edward VI School), the region remains recognised for consistent exam performance and balanced academic provision across Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire.

North of England

Independent schools in the North have strengthened their academic profile.

Queen Ethelburga’s College (York) took the title for Academic Excellence in the North 2026 for the second year in a row while just missing out on the Top 20 nationally at 21st place (94.5% A-levels A* to B grades, and 90.3% 9–7 GCSE grades). Sheffield Girls’ GDST took the title for Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North for 2026.

In the North West, Withington Girls’ School continues to lead academically being awarded the Independent Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest for Academic Excellence.

For the North, Manchester Grammar School (MGS) rose 38 places to 38th position and rightly earned Independent Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest for 2026.

All four schools mentioned here are ongoing proof in regional growth and investment in co-curricular education.

Scotland and Wales

In Scotland, Edinburgh schools dominate the league table. St Mary’s Music School and George Heriot’s School take first and second place, respectively, for Highers. St Leonards School in St Andrews, secured the Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year for GCSEs and A-levels for 2026.

Heriot’s took the Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence award for the second year in a row.

In Wales, Cardiff Sixth Form College lives up to its self-described ‘disruptor’ reputation by being recognised for Academic Excellence in Wales for the second year in a row and also being awarded Independent School of the Year for A-levels in Wales.

Five schools in Wales made it into the Top 100 Independent School ranks and among them is Westbourne School in Penarth. It achieved exceptional 96.5% A* to B grades at A-level and 73.1% 9–7 GCSE grades, leading to it being awarded Independent Secondary School of the Year in Wales. Others include: St Michael’s School, Llanelli and St John’s College, Cardiff.

Both countries continue to attract cross-border applications, particularly for boarding education.

Trends & Insights

Bursary Growth and Access

Many independent schools now dedicate between 5% and 15% of their annual fee income to bursaries and assisted places. Most are means-tested, with an increasing proportion directed toward local partnerships and outreach programmes. Some schools also collaborate with nearby state schools to support pupils preparing for 11+ and 13+ entry.

Regional Developments

London and the South East continue to hold the largest share of independent provision, while Yorkshire, the North West and the Midlands have shown steady growth. Regional schools often benefit from smaller enrolments and strong community ties, typically operating at lower average fees than those in the capital.

Co-educational Provision

The independent school sector is undergoing a notable shift toward co-education, with several prominent single-sex institutions recently completing the transition or announcing firm plans to do so by the end of the decade. This trend is particularly evident among historically boys-only schools on the ‘Power List.’ Abingdon School is leading the transformation, with girls starting in both Year 7 and the Sixth Form from September 2026. Westminster School has also accelerated its timeline; while girls will join the Great School at Year 9 in 2028 on the path to being fully co-educational by 2030, the transition begins earlier at the Under School, which is now welcoming girls into Reception, Year 3 and Year 7 in September 2026.

Similarly, King’s College School (KCS), Wimbledon, is embarking on a phased ‘decade of change’, starting with a co-ed Reception intake in 2027 and culminating in a fully co-educational Year 7 in 2033 and Year 9 in 2035. Even the most traditional institutions are moving faster than previously anticipated; Winchester College, which has admitted day girls to its Sixth Form since 2022, will reach a major milestone in September 2026 with the opening of its first purpose-built girls’ boarding houses, creating a fully residential co-ed Sixth Form.

The movement is equally dynamic among girls’ schools. Kent College, Pembury, has confirmed it will begin welcoming boys to its Senior School and Sixth Form from September 2026. Meanwhile, Cobham Hall in Kent has moved ahead of schedule, completing its transition to become fully co-educational across all year groups as of September 2025. This sector-wide movement reflects a broader desire for more diverse, real-world learning environments and mirrors the dominance of co-educational schools at the top of the 2026 Parent Power rankings, prompting even the most historic institutions to review and evolve their historical, cultural and logistical frameworks.

Wellbeing and Balanced Learning

Independent school curricula now place greater emphasis on workload management and pastoral support. Many schools maintain lighter prep schedules in lower years and structured wellbeing activities to help pupils balance study and rest. Recent inspection frameworks also consider well-being indicators alongside academic outcomes.

Fees, Bursaries & Scholarships (2026 Edition)

Independent school fees in 2026 vary across the UK, influenced by region, school size and boarding provision. Many schools now publish transparent fee structures and clearer information on bursaries and financial assistance!

Type of Provision	Day (Per Term)	Boarding (Per Term)
London & South East	£8,500–£11,000	£16,000–£20,000+
Midlands & North	£6,500–£9,000	£13,500–£17,500
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland	£6,000–£8,500	£12,000–£16,500

These ranges represent typical averages. Fees usually include tuition, classroom materials, and standard co-curricular activities, while extras such as uniform, meals, music tuition and trips are often billed separately.

Bursaries

Means-tested bursaries remain the main route for financial assistance, with awards ranging from 10% to full fee remission depending on household income. Some schools also offer hardship or sibling support. Bursaries are reviewed annually and require updated financial information from families.

Scholarships

Scholarships are typically awarded for academic, music, art, sport or all-round performance. Some cover around 10–20% of annual fees, although full-fee awards are now very rare.

Recent Independent Schools Council (ISC) data shows that only around one in five scholarships carries a direct financial remission, with the remainder recognising achievement in name only.

Schools such as Eton College, Winchester College and The King’s School, Canterbury remain among those offering financially significant awards, often through historic endowments.

Many schools now combine smaller scholarships with means-tested bursaries to widen access, ensuring that pupils from diverse backgrounds can benefit from independent-school education.

Key Considerations

When comparing fees, check what each school includes in its core cost. Boarding fees cover accommodation, meals and pastoral care, while day fees vary depending on facilities and regional factors. Families should also confirm registration fees, deposit policies and notice periods, which differ between schools.

How to Help Your Child Prepare for Independent School Entry

Most independent schools have main entry points at 7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+, depending on whether a child is joining at junior, senior or sixth-form level.

Start exploring options early, ideally at least a year before applying. Visiting open days provides insight into each school’s atmosphere and approach to learning, helping children understand what to expect before assessments begin.

Some schools use the ISEB Common Pre-test, while others set their own English, maths and reasoning papers or online tests; many independent schools have a two-stage assessment process that includes both online testing (usually first round) and paper exams (usually second round). The majority also include an interview/group assessment or informal discussion to understand how a child approaches learning and problem-solving.

Preparation is most effective when it’s consistent but manageable. Short sessions, around 20 – 50 minutes a few times a week, are usually sufficient. Practice papers help children get used to question formats and timing, while mock exams build familiarity with real test conditions.

Watch this short guide on how long to spend preparing for Independent school entrance exams and when to start planning.

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