Top Independent Schools in the UK (based on GCSE results)

Introduction

 

There are currently around 2,500 independent private schools in the UK, providing education to over 615,000 pupils each year.

 

Independent schools are fee-levying schools which are directed by a board of elected governors. Parents pay a premium to get a top class education for their children, with the expectation of their child walking away with top grades. 

 

But how much does it cost to go to one of the best performing private schools in the country – and is it really worth it?

 

We’ve compiled a list of the top 100 independent schools in the UK based on GCSE results in 2018, and revealed the price of attending each one.

 

Whether its a school fit for a royal or the school that the country’s prime minister attended – you can find the top-rated private schools below…

 

Top 100 independent private schools ranked by GCSE results and price to attend

 

Rank	School Name	Day or Boarding School?	Gender	9 – 7 or A*- A %	Costings (from £)
1	St Paul’s Girls’ School	Day	Girls	99.26	24,891
2	Godolphin & Latymer School	Day	Girls	97.95	22,595
3	St Mary’s School – Ascot	Both	Girls	97.85	27,630
4	Guildford High School for Girls	Day	Girls	97.53	17,214
5	Westminster School	Both	Co-ed (Boys Only 7-16)	97.33	29,709
6	North London Collegiate School	Day	Girls	97.21	20,430
7	King’s College School – Wimbledon	Day	Boys (Co-ed 6th form)	96.4	22,335
8	St Paul’s School	Both	Boys	96.14	25,032
9	Eton College	Boarding	Boys	95.75	40,668
10	City of London School for Girls	Day	Girls	95.61	18,384
11	Wycombe Abbey School	Boarding	Girls	95.2	29,205
12	Magdalen College School	Day	Boys (Co-ed 6th form)	95.15	18,477
13	Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls	Day	Girls	94.31	18,393
14	Perse Upper School	Day	Co-ed	94.18	17,322
15	Wimbledon High School	Day	Girls	93.58	18,810
16	Hampton School	Day	Boys	93.56	20,055
17	Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, Elstree	Day	Boys	93.54	20,346
18	King Edward VI High School for Girls	Day	Girls	92.75	12,888
19	Cheltenham Ladies’ College	Both	Girls	92.7	29,280
20	Highgate School	Day	Co-ed	92.45	20,970
21	James Allen’s Girls’ School	Day	Girls	92.4	17,991
22	Putney High School	Day	Girls	92.18	18,900
23	Alleyn’s School, Dulwich	Day	Co-ed	92.02	19,851
24	Lady Eleanor Holles School	Day	Girls	92	20,196
25	Sevenoaks School	Both	Co-ed	92	27,585
26	Notting Hill and Ealing High School	Day	Girls	91.71	18,561
27	Winchester College	Boarding	Boys	91.11	38,100
28	Manchester Grammar School	Day	Boys	90.93	12,570
29	City of London School for Boys	Day	Boys	90.8	17,901
30	Brighton College	Both	Co-ed	90.44	24,420
31	Withington Girls School	Day	Girls	90.3	12,990
32	Oxford High School GDST	Day	Girls	89.75	15,546
33	South Hampstead High School	Day	Girls	89.56	18,654
34	Royal Grammar School – Guildford	Day	Boys	88.82	18,285
35	Trinity School – Croydon	Day	Boys (Co-ed 6th form)	88.64	17,448
36	University College School	Day	Boys (Co-ed 6th form)	88.01	20,328
37	Abbey School – Reading	Day	Girls	87.97	17,640
38	The School of St Helen and St Katharine	Day	Girls	87.89	16,470
39	Concord College	Both	Co-ed	87.43	14,280
40	Badminton School	Both	Girls	87.29	16,425
41	Tonbridge School	Both	Boys	87.25	30,342
42	Merchant Taylors’ School	Day	Boys	87.16	20,698
43	Wellington College	Both	Co-ed	87	30,375
44	Royal Grammar School – Newcastle	Day	Co-ed	85.82	13,164
45	Bancroft’s School	Day	Co-ed	85.74	18,123
46	King Edward’s School – Birmingham	Day	Boys	84.92	13,692
47	St Catherine’s School – Guildford	Both	Girls	84.88	18,375
48	Channing School	Day	Girls	84.82	19,410
49	St Albans High School for Girls	Day	Girls	84.58	18,795
50	Eltham College	Day	Boys (Co-ed 6th form)	84.55	17,775
51	Downe House School	Both	Girls	84.55	27,495
52	Dulwich College	Both	Boys	84.44	20,448
53	Francis Holland School – Sloane Square	Day	Girls	84	20,910
54	Harrow School	Boarding	Boys	84	40,050
55	Headington School	Both	Girls	83.79	19,905
56	Kingston Grammar School	Day	Co-ed	83.78	19,230
57	Abingdon School	Both	Boys	83.7	19,950
58	Ibstock Place School	Day	Co-ed	83.5	20,880
59	City of London Freemen’s School	Both	Co-ed	83.12	18,279
60	Sir William Perkins’s School	Day	Girls	82.22	15,915
61	St Albans School	Day	Boys (Co-ed 6th form)	82.18	18,600
62	Oundle School	Both	Co-ed	82.17	23,505
63	Rugby School	Both	Co-ed	81.75	22,437
64	Stephen Perse Foundation	Day	Co-ed (Diamond model 11 – 16)	81.13	17,490
65	St Swithun’s School	Both	Girls	80.88	20,565
66	Queen’s Gate – Kensington	Day	Girls	80.57	20,550
67	Caterham School	Both	Co-ed	80.42	18,900
68	Benenden School	Boarding	Girls	80.26	37,950
69	St Mary’s School – Calne	Both	Girls	80	29,025
70	Reigate Grammar School	Day	Co-ed	79.74	18,720
71	St Helen’s – Northwood	Day	Girls	79.67	17,448
72	Palmers Green High School	Day	Girls	79.47	16,260
73	Loughborough High School	Day	Girls	79.16	12,549
74	Surbiton High School	Day	Girls (Co-ed 4 – 11)	78.91	17,400
75	King Edward’s School – Bath	Day	Co-ed	78.79	14,475
76	Warwick School	Both	Boys	78.31	13,194
77	Epsom College	Both	Co-ed	77.07	25,266
78	Radley College	Boarding	Boys	77.04	38,325
79	Howell’s School Llandaff GDST	Day	Girls	76.87	14,070
80	Leicester Grammar School	Day	Co-ed	76.82	13,029
81	Forest School – London	Day	Co-ed	76.79	18,681
82	Croydon High School GDST	Day	Girls	76.6	16,656
83	Bablake School	Day	Co-ed	76.2	11,694
84	St George’s College	Day	Co-ed	76.13	19,185
85	Ardingly College	Both	Co-ed	75.72	23,985
86	Bradford Grammar School	Day	Co-ed	75.71	12,669
87	Charterhouse School	Both	Co-ed	75	33,630
88	Exeter School	Day	Co-ed	74.91	13,230
89	Burgess Hill Girls	Both	Girls (Co-ed 2 – 4)	74.74	18,900
90	St John’s School – Leatherhead	Day	Co-ed	74.73	24,300
91	Whitgift School	Both	Boys	74.26	20,640
92	Francis Holland School – Regent’s Park	Day	Girls	73.98	20,040
93	Wolverhampton Grammar School	Day	Co-ed	73.72	13,662
94	Chigwell School	Both	Co-ed	73.45	17,985
95	King’s High School for Girls	Day	Girls	73.2	12,975
96	The King’s School – Worcester	Day	Co-ed	72.8	13,989
97	The Grange School	Day	Co-ed	72.8	11,850
98	Marlborough College	Both	Co-ed	72.62	37,815
99	King’s School – Canterbury	Both	Co-ed	72.28	27,495
100	King Edward VI School	Day	Co-ed	72.21	16,050

 

 

This table lists the Top 100 independent schools in the UK based on 2018 GCSE and IGCSE results. Rankings are based on the percentage of GCSE/IGCSE entries awarded 9-7 or A* and A grades. 

 

Our research shows that the average cost for private schooling is £14,102 per year for a day school and £32,259 per year for boarding school.

 

A day school is a non-residential school, where students are taught during the day and then return home afterwards. A boarding school provides education for pupils who live on the premises during term-time. Both types of schooling appear within our top 100 list – and both charge a pretty penny to attend.

 

Private schools significantly outperform state schools for the percentage of students achieving top grades

 

 

Faisal Nasim, Founder of Exam Papers Plus, said: “Despite the ever-increasing fees, competition for places at the UK’s top independent school is as fierce as ever. It’s clear that attending one of these schools is going to tip the odds in a student’s favour when it comes to examination results.”

 

He continued: “However, as a parent, it’s vital that you do your research and not rely solely on GCSE rankings and perceived prestige. It’s important to find a school that fits your child’s personality, somewhere they will thrive and flourish. It may well be that the school that’s perfect for your child is not on this list.”

 

The top 10 independent private schools in the country

 

St Paul’s Girls’ School

 

St Paul’s Girls’ School is an independent day school which is currently ranked as the top independent school in the UK.

 

Established in 1904 by the Worshipful Company of Mercers, the school is exclusively for girls and is located in Brook Green, Hammersmith, a district of West London.

 

It’s consistently ranked as one of the best independent schools in the country for academic performance and always ranks highly in the school league tables. Over half of its students achieve straight A* grades, with 99% of students achieving at least one A* or A grade in 2018.

 

Notable previous pupils include comedian and screenwriter Jennifer Saunders, and physicist Rosalind Franklin. 

 

The Godolphin and Latymer School

 

The Godolphin and Latymer School is an independent day school for girls in Hammersmith, West London. 

 

The school’s current building first opened its doors in 1861, serving as the Godolphin School for boys. Though initially successful, it closed in 1900, re-opening five years later as an independent day school for girls. The school then took on the name of the Godolphin and Latymer School due to its association with the Latymer Foundation.

 

The Good Schools Guide called the school a “very strong academic school with a friendly atmosphere, an outstanding head and a broad range of extra-curricular activities.” And the school’s GCSE exam results can support this, with over 97% of students achieving at least one A* or A grade in 2018.

 

Notable alumni include tv presenter Davina McCall, pop singer Sophie Ellis Bextor, and actress Kate Beckinsale.

 

St Mary’s School Ascot

 

St Mary’s School Ascot is a Roman Catholic independent day and boarding school for girls in Ascot, Berkshire, England. It is a member of the Girls’ Schools Association. 

 

The school is renowned for its academic performance, continuously topping school league table rankings. As of 2019, St Mary’s has been placed 12th in the Top U.K. Boarding School Rankings based on their exam results.

 

According to GCSE results in 2018, 97% of students achieved at least one A* or A grade, making St Mary’s one of four schools to surpass 97% for the top grades, according to the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

 

 

Guildford High School for Girls

 

Founded in 1888 by the United Church Schools Trust, Guildford High School is an independent day school exclusively for girls aged four to eighteen. It is one of the most successful independent schools in the country.

 

Located in Guildford, Surrey, Guildford High School comprises a Junior School, Secondary School and Sixth Form, and educates around 1,000 students. 

 

The students at Guildford High consistently achieve exceptional exam results, enabling them to secure places at some of the most competitive universities in the world. In 2018, over 97% of students were awarded A*- A grades.

 

Westminster School

 

Westminster School is an independent day and boarding school located in the precincts of Westminster Abbey. It is the only ancient London school to occupy its original site.

 

Up until GCSEs, Westminster is a single-sex boys’ school; girls are admitted at age sixteen into the Sixth Form.

 

Known as one of the UK’s leading academic institutions, with 97% of current students achieving A grades in 2018, the school’s famous alumni include journalist and filmmaker Louis Theroux, politician Nick Clegg and actress Helena Bonham Carter.

 

North London Collegiate School

 

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) is a top independent day school for girls. It is also a member of the Girls’ Schools Association.

 

Founded in Camden Town in 1850, the school is now located in Edgware, in the London Borough of Harrow.

 

Since then, generations of girls have received an ambitious academic education at NLCS, a school which continues to top league tables thanks to its outstanding academic performance. 

 

In 2018, over 97% of students achieved A-A* grades – placing the school 6th in exam result rankings. Notable previous students include actress Rachel Weisz and journalist and editor, Dame Anna Wintour DBE.

 

King’s College School

 

 

King’s College School is a selective, independent day school for boys aged seven to eighteen, and girls aged sixteen to eighteen. It is located in Wimbledon, London.

 

Founded in 1829 by royal charter, King’s College School is one of the most prestigious and successful schools in the UK. It is a school whose exceptional academic standards have helped them reach the top of national league tables.

 

The school currently educates just under fifteen hundred students, of which 96% achieved A and A* grades in their GCSE exams in 2018.

 

St Paul’s School

 

St Paul’s School is a selective, independent day and boarding school for boys aged thirteen to eighteen. It is located on a 43-acre site by the River Thames, in Barnes, London.

 

Founded in 1509 by English churchman and pioneer, John Colet, the school originally takes its name from the St Paul’s Cathedral in London. 

 

Known for its unwavering academic performance, St Paul’s also has one of the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rates of any secondary school or college.

 

Over the last five years, more than 90% of St Paul’s students have achieved A and A* grades in their GCSE exams. 

 

Eton College

 

Eton College is an independent boarding school for boys, located in the parish of Eton, near Windsor in Berkshire, England. 

 

The school was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, and has educated generations of British and foreign aristocracy, including prime ministers, world leaders and Nobel laureates. The school has also educated members of the Royal family, including Prince William and his brother Prince Harry.

 

Eton is one of the leading independent schools in the UK and it continues to provide a stimulating all-round education, resulting in academic excellence. In 2018, over 96% of students at Eton College achieved A* and A grades. 

 

Other notable ex-students include actors Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Redmayne, and ex-Prime Minister David Cameron.

 

City of London School for Girls

 

The City of London School for Girls (CLSG) is an independent day school for girls aged seven to eighteen, based in the London Square Mile.

 

The school was founded in 1984, using a bequest by William Ward, a merchant of Brixton, to provide a broad and liberal education for girls.

 

In 2018, CLSG was rated by The Sunday Times as the second-best independent school in the UK, based on GCSE and A-Level results, with over 95% of students achieving grades A and above.

 

Thanks to its outstanding academic reputation and leading league table results, The Good Schools Guide described the school as an “academic and hard-working day school that currently produces good results, articulate and independent girls.”

 

*All figures correct as of 2018. Visit the Best Schools website for more information.

 

Header image source: canford.com