Best Private Schools in the UK: 2026 Top 100 League Table
A lot of parents currently are searching for best private schools in the UK especially after the announcement of GCSE results. If your child is preparing for the 11+ exam or just passed GCSE exams and is looking to move for A- Level, you may be looking into sending them to one of the best private schools in the UK. A private school has separate funding and administration. They are not run by municipal, state, or federal governments and are also referred to as independent schools, non-governmental, privately funded, or non-state schools. An independent school in British English is typically one that is endowed, i.e., owned by a trust, charity, or foundation, as opposed to a private school, which is one that is privately owned. For many parents, it’s significant to aim higher. For them, part of the Year 6 transition to secondary school consists setting their sights on the best grammar schools or private schools in the UK. What factors should you take into account while choosing an independent school? This post will help you find the best independent schools in the UK!
Also, it is recommended for 11+ students to take 11 plus mock exams on a daily basis. We have free 11 plus maths assessment prepared for you!
Table of Contents
A lot of parents currently are searching for best private schools in the UK especially after the announcement of GCSE results. If your child is preparing for the 11+ exam or just passed GCSE exams and is looking to move for A- Level, you may be looking into sending them to one of the best private schools in the UK. A private school has separate funding and administration. They are not run by municipal, state, or federal governments and are also referred to as independent schools, non-governmental, privately funded, or non-state schools. An independent school in British English is typically one that is endowed, i.e., owned by a trust, charity, or foundation, as opposed to a private school, which is one that is privately owned. For many parents, it’s significant to aim higher. For them, part of the Year 6 transition to secondary school consists setting their sights on the best grammar schools or private schools in the UK. What factors should you take into account while choosing an independent school? This post will help you find the best independent schools in the UK!
Page Contents
What Is A Private School?
Private schools, commonly termed private schools, are not sponsored by the central government. As a result, there are admission costs. There are over 2,500 private schools in the UK. The government must have them registered. Independent schools are those that get funding from private sources rather than from the government. Some are privately owned, while others are managed by non-profit trusts.
The organisation in charge of reviewing all school reports makes them available online. Ask the school about the organisation that looks at them. Ofsted inspects half of all independent schools. Schools that belong to the organisations that make up the Independent Schools Council are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The School Inspection Service examines a few additional schools.
Other than knowing the best private schools in the UK, it makes sense that so many parents seek the assistance of tutors to increase their children’s prospects of academic success. To assist 11+ applicants discover clever strategies to swiftly respond to test questions and eventually pass, services like Think Academy provide free maths assessment
Finding The Best Independent Schools In The UK
Thinking about how to find the best private school for your child that meets your educational needs is not easy. We have prepared for you a list of the best private schools in the UK as it is an important investment for your family. Selecting the school that best serves your needs and wants is a gigantic decision, as you may need to relocate. If you are thinking about sending your kids to a grammar school, we also have a league table for the best grammar schools in the UK 2026. The list shows top 100 grammar schools based on 2024 GCSE and A Level results.
Best Private Schools in London
London is home to many of the UK’s highest-performing independent schools. Several London schools consistently rank among the best in the country based on GCSE and A-Level results.
Notable London private schools include:
- St Paul’s School
- St Paul’s Girls’ School
- Westminster School
- King’s College School, Wimbledon
- North London Collegiate School
These schools are widely recognised for exceptional academic performance, strong university placements, and extensive extracurricular programmes across sport, music, and academic societies.
Best Boarding Schools in the UK
Boarding schools remain an important part of the British education system and attract both domestic and international students.
Many of the UK’s most prestigious schools offer full boarding options, where students live on campus and participate in academic, sporting, and cultural activities within a structured residential environment.
Some of the most well-known boarding schools in the UK include:
- Eton College
- Harrow School
- Winchester College
- Brighton College
- Benenden School
These schools combine strong academic performance with long-standing traditions, extensive facilities, and vibrant student communities.
How We Ranked the Best Private Schools in the UK
Choosing the best private schools in the UK involves analysing several academic indicators as well as long-term educational outcomes.
For this guide, schools were ranked using recent GCSE and A-Level results, publicly available academic performance data, and long-term academic reputation.
Many independent school league tables focus on academic achievement, particularly the proportion of students achieving:
· GCSE grades 9–7
· A-Level grades A and A*
Schools that consistently achieve strong results across a wide range of subjects usually demonstrate high teaching standards, strong academic culture, and excellent university destinations.
GCSE Results
GCSE results are one of the most widely used indicators of private school performance in the UK.
In this ranking, particular attention was given to the percentage of students achieving grades 9–7, which correspond to the highest GCSE grades.
Schools with a high proportion of top GCSE results typically demonstrate strong academic foundations, effective teaching methods, and rigorous subject preparation.
A-Level Results
A-Level performance is another key factor when comparing the best independent schools in the UK.
Schools were assessed based on the percentage of students achieving A and A grades*, which indicate strong preparation for university study and advanced academic work.
Many of the schools in this ranking regularly send students to leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities.
Long-Term Academic Reputation
In addition to recent exam results, a school’s long-term academic performance and reputation were also considered.
Some independent schools have maintained consistently strong GCSE and A-Level results for decades and are widely recognized for their academic excellence.
Together, these factors provide a balanced overview of the best private schools in the UK, helping parents compare academic outcomes when researching different independent schools.
Top 100 Best Private Schools In The UK
How come a league table? As previously said, if you don’t live in the UK, it’s an excellent location to start your search and start gathering information. Based on GCSE and A Level results, the table below ranks best private schools in the UK. Along with the GCSE and A Level results, you’ll discover that the schools are dispersed around England, so there’s a high possibility you’re closer to one than you think!
The schools on the list display a statistic known as “Progress 7, 8 and 9” in addition to rating GCSE and A Level results*. This figure is used to assess students’ growth from Year 6 to Year 11, i.e., their achievement across 8 subjects/qualifications. The national average is 0 as a point of comparison. A school is deemed to be performing extraordinarily well if the score is more than 0.5
Top 20 Private School In The UK (2026)
- St Paul’s School
- St Paul’s Girls’ School
- North London Collegiate School
- King’s College School, Wimbledon
- Westminster School
- Brighton College
- Godolphin and Latymer School
- Guildford High School
- Latymer Upper School
- Alleyn’s School
- Sevenoaks School
- Cardiff Sixth Form College
- Highgate School
- City of London School for Girls
- King Edward VI High School for Girls
- Magdalen College School
- Queen Ethelburga’s College
- South Hampstead High School GDST
- Eton College
- Wycombe Abbey
Top Private Schools 2026 league table: best private schools in the UK
Top Private Schools’ list: 1-100
| Rank | School | Location | A-level (% A*) | A-level (% A*/A) | A-level rank | GSCE (% 9/8/7) | GCSE rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Paul’s School | London | 59.2 | 92.1 | 2 | 97.6 | 5 |
| 2 | St Paul’s Girls’ School | London | 66.8 | 88.7 | 3 | 99.5 | 1 |
| 3 | North London Collegiate School | London | 57.3 | 87.8 | 6 | 99.2 | 2 |
| 4 | King’s College School, Wimbledon | London | 54.4 | 88.2 | 4 | 98.2 | 3 |
| 5 | Westminster School | London | 57.8 | 88.1 | 5 | 97.6 | 6 |
| 6 | Brighton College | Brighton | 49.3 | 85.7 | 7 | 98 | 4 |
| 7 | Godolphin and Latymer School | London | 49.4 | 85.2 | 10 | 96.9 | 7 |
| 8 | Guildford High School | Guildford | 43.5 | 85.3 | 9 | 96.7 | 8 |
| 9 | Latymer Upper School | London | 41.3 | 81.4 | 14 | 96.5 | 11 |
| 10 | Alleyn’s School | London | 41.7 | 81.6 | 13 | 94.8 | 16 |
| 11 | Sevenoaks School | Sevenoaks | 45 | 85.4 | 8 | 88.7 | 39 |
| 12 | Cardiff Sixth Form College | Cardiff | 68.6 | 94.1 | 1 | 74.8 | 111 |
| 13 | Highgate School | London | 43.5 | 80 | 17 | 95.7 | 13 |
| 14 | City of London School for Girls | London | 39.8 | 80.2 | 16 | 95.4 | 15 |
| 15 | King Edward VI High School for Girls | Birmingham | 43.3 | 79.2 | 22 | 96.6 | 10 |
| 16 | Magdalen College School | Oxford | 42.3 | 80.7 | 15 | 94.1 | 17 |
| 17 | Queen Ethelburga’s College | York | 31.5 | 83 | 11 | 90.3 | 37 |
| 18 | South Hampstead High School GDST | London | 42.3 | 79.8 | 20 | 92.2 | 28 |
| 19 | Eton College | Windsor | 40.2 | 78.2 | 25 | 94 | 19 |
| 20 | Wycombe Abbey | High Wycombe | 40.2 | 76.2 | 30 | 96.7 | 9 |
| 21 | The Perse School | Cambridge | 43.4 | 79.6 | 21 | 90.4 | 36 |
| 22 | Concord College | Shrewsbury | 48.6 | 82.4 | 12 | 86.2 | 54 |
| 23 | Putney High School GDST | London | 42.4 | 78.3 | 24 | 91.8 | 30 |
| 24 | Lady Eleanor Holles | London | 39 | 76.8 | 29 | 93.6 | 20 |
| 25 | Haberdashers’ Girls’ School | Elstree | 40 | 77 | 28 | 93 | 25 |
| 26 | City of London School | London | 37 | 74.9 | 37 | 95.5 | 14 |
| 27 | James Allen’s Girls’ School | London | 39.4 | 77.8 | 27 | 90.7 | 35 |
| 28 | Winchester College | Winchester | 44.3 | 75.7 | 32 | 93.5 | 22 |
| 29 | The Haberdashers’ Boys’ School | Elstree | 41 | 79 | 23 | 88 | 45 |
| 30 | Wimbledon High School GDST | London | 41.4 | 80 | 18 | 85.9 | 57 |
| 31 | Withington Girls’ School | Manchester | 41.2 | 75.1 | 35 | 92.9 | 26 |
| 32 | Kingston Grammar School | Kingston upon Thames | 35.2 | 75.4 | 34 | 91.6 | 31 |
| 33 | Hampton School | London | 34.7 | 71.9 | 45 | 95.8 | 12 |
| 34 | Tonbridge School | Tonbridge | 37.9 | 73.1 | 40 | 92.6 | 27 |
| 35 | Manchester Grammar School | Manchester | 37.7 | 75.5 | 33 | 88.2 | 44 |
| 36 | Bancroft’s | Woodford Green | 39.7 | 75.1 | 36 | 88.3 | 42 |
| 37 | Royal Grammar School, Guildford | Guildford | 35.7 | 74.7 | 38 | 88.6 | 40 |
| 38 | King Edward’s School, Birmingham | Birmingham | 45.2 | 77.9 | 26 | 83.8 | 63 |
| 39 | Trinity School, Croydon | Croydon | 38.8 | 76.1 | 31 | 86.1 | 55 |
| 40 | St Michael’s School | Llanelli | 50.3 | 80 | 19 | 78.7 | 86 |
| 41 | Dulwich College | London | 31.6 | 69.2 | 56 | 93.5 | 23 |
| 42 | University College School | London | 30.3 | 70.6 | 49 | 91.3 | 33 |
| 43 | Emanuel School | London | 31.1 | 69.8 | 53 | 90.9 | 34 |
| 44 | Reigate Grammar School | Reigate | 33.9 | 70.6 | 50 | 89.7 | 38 |
| 45 | Cheltenham Ladies’ College | Cheltenham | 35 | 71.7 | 46 | 87.6 | 46 |
| 46 | Francis Holland School, Sloane Square | London | 31 | 72 | 42 | 87 | 50 |
| 47 | Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood | London | 33.1 | 69.8 | 54 | 88.3 | 43 |
| 48 | St Albans High School for Girls | St Albans | 36 | 72 | 43 | 85 | 59 |
| 49 | Abingdon School | Abingdon | 30 | 69.9 | 51 | 87.1 | 48 |
| 50 | Oxford High School GDST | Oxford | 29.6 | 64.6 | 72 | 93.6 | 21 |
| 51 | Eltham College | London | 34.4 | 67.8 | 61 | 88.5 | 41 |
| 52 | Wellington College | Crowthorne | 30.5 | 68.8 | 58 | 86.7 | 52 |
| 53 | Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST | London | 25.9 | 64.5 | 74 | 93.1 | 24 |
| 54 | Nottingham High School | Nottingham | 30.8 | 69.9 | 52 | 84.9 | 61 |
| 55 | St Helen and St Katharine | Abingdon | 28.4 | 64.8 | 70 | 92.1 | 29 |
| 56 | Caterham School | Caterham | 29.4 | 65.1 | 69 | 91.5 | 32 |
| 57 | Surbiton High School | Kingston upon Thames | 35.9 | 68.8 | 59 | 85.5 | 58 |
| 58 | City of London Freemen’s School | Ashtead | 29 | 71.3 | 48 | 81.5 | 69 |
| 59 | St Catherine’s, Bramley | Guildford | 32.6 | 72.5 | 41 | 79.6 | 81 |
| 60 | St John’s College, Cardiff | Cardiff | 35.7 | 72 | 44 | 80.2 | 77 |
| 61 | St Mary’s School Ascot | Ascot | 30.1 | 62 | 84 | 94.1 | 18 |
| 62 | St Swithun’s School | Winchester | 34.3 | 71.7 | 47 | 77.4 | 94 |
| 63 | Channing School | London | 25.6 | 67.3 | 62 | 81.7 | 68 |
| 64 | Benenden School | Cranbrook | 32.5 | 69.1 | 57 | 78.2 | 88 |
| 65 | Whitgift School | South Croydon | 28.2 | 62.9 | 79 | 87.2 | 47 |
| 66 | Harrow School | Harrow on the Hill | 30.8 | 64.7 | 71 | 84.3 | 62 |
| 67 | Harrodian | London | 25.7 | 69.5 | 55 | 77.1 | 95 |
| 68 | Sir William Perkins’s School | Chertsey | 27.9 | 64.2 | 76 | 85 | 60 |
| 69 | The Leys | Cambridge | 24.6 | 62.6 | 82 | 86.1 | 56 |
| 70 | The Cathedral School, Llandaff | Cardiff | 36.1 | 73.2 | 39 | 69.9 | 135 |
| 71 | Sheffield Girls’ GDST | Sheffield | 34.8 | 66.1 | 64 | 80.2 | 78 |
| 72 | Colfe’s School | London | 24.7 | 65.4 | 66 | 80.1 | 79 |
| 73 | Epsom College | Epsom | 21.7 | 60.3 | 94 | 87.1 | 49 |
| 74 | Radley College | Abingdon | 23.3 | 60.7 | 90 | 86.5 | 53 |
| 75 | St Helen’s School, Northwood | London | 31.6 | 64.6 | 73 | 80.4 | 74 |
| 76 | Redmaids’ High School | Bristol | 31.9 | 68.7 | 60 | 73.1 | 116 |
| 77 | Royal Grammar School, Newcastle | Newcastle upon Tyne | 25.6 | 62.9 | 80 | 80.3 | 76 |
| 78 | The King’s School, Chester | Chester | 25 | 59.8 | 98 | 83.6 | 64 |
| 79 | Westbourne School | Penarth | 19.3 | 66.7 | 63 | 73.1 | 117 |
| 80 | St Dunstan’s College | London | 21.1 | 63.6 | 78 | 76.7 | 97 |
| 81 | The Abbey | Reading | 23.4 | 59.3 | 100 | 80.8 | 71 |
| 82 | Francis Holland, Regent’s Park | London | 25 | 55 | 121 | 87 | 51 |
| 83 | King Edward’s School, Bath | Bath | 26.6 | 61.8 | 85 | 76.6 | 99 |
| 84 | Hurstpierpoint College | Hassocks | - | 60 | 97 | 79 | 83 |
| 85 | Oundle School | Peterborough | 21.1 | 60.6 | 91 | 77.6 | 91 |
| 86 | Solihull School | Solihull | 26.8 | 58.7 | 103 | 78.8 | 85 |
| 87 | Leicester Grammar School | Leicester | 29.5 | 61.6 | 88 | 74.2 | 112 |
| 88 | Haileybury | Hertford | 23.8 | 56.1 | 118 | 82.4 | 66 |
| 89 | Ardingly College | Haywards Heath | 25 | 60.1 | 96 | 76.1 | 101 |
| 90 | St Francis’ College | Letchworth Garden City | 25 | 63.9 | 77 | 70.1 | 134 |
| 91 | The Maynard School | Exeter | 34.3 | 60.2 | 95 | 75.4 | 107 |
| 92 | St Albans School | St Albans | 22.3 | 56.8 | 113 | 80.4 | 75 |
| 93 | The Yehudi Menuhin School | Cobham | 20 | 62.9 | 81 | 71.2 | 126 |
| 94 | Churcher’s College | Petersfield | 23.1 | 61.2 | 89 | 73.6 | 115 |
| 95 | Loughborough High School | Loughborough | 29.8 | 64.4 | 75 | 68.8 | 141 |
| 96 | Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park | London | 22 | 57 | 109 | 79 | 84 |
| 97 | The Grammar School at Leeds | Leeds | 23.5 | 62.1 | 83 | 71.1 | 128 |
| 98 | Headington Rye Oxford | Oxford | 22.8 | 58.3 | 106 | 76.6 | 100 |
| 99 | Ibstock Place School | London | 16.9 | 53.7 | 134 | 83.4 | 65 |
| 100 | St Mary’s Calne | Calne | 23.8 | 61.7 | 86 | 71.4 | 125 |
Details of the UK’s best private schools
- St Paul’s School
Overview: Founded by John Colet, St Paul’s School is an independent boys’ day school for ages 13–18 in Barnes, London, on a 43-acre riverside site by the Thames. Academic study sits at the centre of school life, and the school is known for encouraging scholarship, discipline, and independent learning. Its curriculum leads to GCSEs and A-Levels, and students are supported in balancing demanding academic work with wider interests.
What Makes It Unique: Its Barnes campus occupies a striking 43-acre Thames-side site, giving one of London’s best-known boys’ schools an unusually spacious setting for a city school.
Entry points: 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 59.2% of A-Level grades at A*, 92.1% at A/A*, and around 97.6% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- St Paul’s Girls’ School
Overview: St Paul’s Girls’ School is an independent day school for girls aged 11–18 in Brook Green, Hammersmith, West London. Since opening in 1904, it has built a reputation for very strong GCSE and A-Level performance, with students regularly achieving top grades across a broad academic programme. The school combines a demanding classroom culture with a long-established emphasis on subject depth and serious academic study.
What Makes It Unique: Composer Gustav Holst taught at the school for nearly thirty years, and its music tradition remains one of its defining features.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 66.8% of A-Level grades at A*, 88.7% at A/A*, and around 99.5% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- North London Collegiate School
Overview: Based in Edgware in the London Borough of Harrow, North London Collegiate School is an independent day school for girls aged 4–18. Founded in Camden Town before moving to its current site, the school has long been associated with ambitious teaching and very high public examination outcomes. Students study a broad curriculum through GCSE and sixth form, and the school is especially known for combining demanding academics with a strong culture of extension beyond the classroom.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded by Frances Mary Buss, one of the most influential figures in girls’ education in Britain.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 57.3% of A-Level grades at A*, 87.8% at A/A*, and around 99.2% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- King’s College School, Wimbledon
Overview: King’s College School, Wimbledon is an independent school in southwest London, educating boys from the junior years and operating a co-educational sixth form. Its academic structure is distinctive, with GCSEs in the fifth form followed by either A-Levels or the IB Diploma in the sixth form. The school is widely recognised for very high exam performance, depth across subjects, and a culture that supports both classroom achievement and wider enrichment.
What Makes It Unique: Few UK schools at this level offer both A-Levels and the IB Diploma side by side in the sixth form, making its post-16 pathway unusually flexible.
Entry points: 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 54.4% of A-Level grades at A*, 88.2% at A/A*, and around 98.2% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Westminster School
Overview: Set within the precincts of Westminster Abbey in central London, Westminster School is an independent day and boarding school with one of the oldest educational histories in the country. The school is known for its demanding academic environment, strong GCSE and A-Level outcomes, and a long record of preparing students for competitive university destinations. Its central London setting, historic foundations, and consistently high grades give it a character unlike most other schools on this list.
What Makes It Unique: Very few schools in the UK can match a location inside the grounds of Westminster Abbey itself.
Entry points: 7+, 8+ and 11+.
Recent performance: approximately 57.8% of A-Level grades at A*, 88.1% at A/A*, and around 97.6% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Brighton College
Overview: Brighton College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school in Brighton for pupils aged 3–18, with separate preparatory and pre-prep divisions feeding into the senior school. It has become especially well known for combining strong public examination performance with a modern school identity and a broad co-curricular offer. The school’s results at both GCSE and A-Level have placed it among the strongest co-educational independent schools in England.
What Makes It Unique: It was named The Sunday Times UK School of the Decade, a distinction that helped cement its national profile.
Entry points: 4–10+, 11+, 13+, and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 49.3% of A-Level grades at A*, 85.7% at A/A*, and around 98% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Godolphin and Latymer School
Overview: Godolphin and Latymer is an independent day school for girls in Hammersmith, West London. The school is known for strong academic performance at both GCSE and A-Level, while also maintaining a broad educational offer that supports students across subjects, activities, and future university applications. Its pupils regularly move on to competitive degree courses in areas such as medicine, economics, law, psychology, and natural sciences.
What Makes It Unique: Its university destinations span an unusually wide academic range, from medicine and natural sciences to law and psychology.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 49.4% of A-Level grades at A*, 85.2% at A/A*, and around 96.9% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Guildford High School
Overview: Established in 1888, Guildford High School is an independent day school for girls aged 4–18 in Surrey, with junior, senior, and sixth form sections on one site. The school teaches around 1,000 pupils and is known for combining sustained academic performance with a clear all-through structure from early years to sixth form. Its A-Level and GCSE outcomes have remained very strong, and students regularly progress to competitive university destinations.
What Makes It Unique: As an all-through girls’ school with junior, senior, and sixth form divisions, it offers a continuous pathway from early schooling to university preparation within one institution.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 43.5% of A-Level grades at A*, 85.3% at A/A*, and around 96.7% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Latymer Upper School
Overview: Latymer Upper School is a co-educational independent school in Hammersmith, London, positioned between King Street and the River Thames. The school is known for strong GCSE and A-Level outcomes, significant Oxbridge success, and a large sixth form with a wide subject range. Alongside academics, it has built a strong reputation in performing arts and sport, giving it a broader public profile than many academically focused schools.
What Makes It Unique: It has one of London’s largest sixth forms, allowing for an unusually wide academic offering at post-16 level.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+.
Recent performance: approximately 41.3% of A-Level grades at A*, 81.4% at A/A*, and around 96.5% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Alleyn’s School
Overview: Alleyn’s School is a co-educational independent day school and sixth form in Dulwich, South London, serving pupils aged 4–18. It was originally part of Edward Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift, the same historic foundation associated with Dulwich College and James Allen’s Girls’ School. The school combines a long institutional history with strong recent academic performance and consistent progression to leading universities.
What Makes It Unique: It shares its origins with Dulwich College and James Allen’s Girls’ School through Edward Alleyn’s historic charitable foundation.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 9+, and 11+.
Recent performance: approximately 41.7% of A-Level grades at A*, 81.6% at A/A*, and around 94.8% of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7.
- Alleyn’s School
Overview: Alleyn’s School is a co-educational independent day school in Dulwich, South London, educating pupils aged 4–18. It forms part of the historic educational foundation established by actor and philanthropist Edward Alleyn. The school combines a broad GCSE and A-Level curriculum with strong programmes in sport, music, and drama, and it sits on a large campus close to Dulwich Park.
What Makes It Unique: The school traces its origins to the 1619 “College of God’s Gift,” founded by Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn to support education and charity in Dulwich.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 9+, and 11+
Recent performance: approximately 41.7% A-Level grades at A*, 81.6% at A/A*, and 94.8% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Sevenoaks School
Overview: Sevenoaks School is a co-educational day and boarding school in Kent founded in 1432, making it one of the oldest non-denominational schools in the United Kingdom. The school educates more than 1,000 pupils aged 11–18 on a large historic campus near Knole Park. Its curriculum is internationally focused and supported by extensive extracurricular programmes including music, sport, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: Sevenoaks became the first major UK independent school to replace A-Levels entirely with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 2006.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 45% A-Level grades at A*, 85.4% at A/A*, and 88.7% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Cardiff Sixth Form College
Overview: Cardiff Sixth Form College is a specialist independent sixth form college located in Cardiff, Wales. The college focuses primarily on A-Level education and attracts students from across the UK and internationally who are aiming for competitive university courses. Teaching is delivered in small academic groups with a strong emphasis on preparation for university admissions.
What Makes It Unique: Unlike traditional centuries-old British boarding schools, it was only founded in 2004 as a small private tutorial centre before rapidly expanding into an international academic powerhouse.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 68.6% A-Level grades at A*, 94.1% at A/A*, and 74.8% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Highgate School
Overview: Highgate School is an independent day school located in North London that educates boys and girls aged 4–18. Founded in the sixteenth century, the school occupies a large historic campus overlooking the capital. Pupils follow a broad academic programme leading to GCSE and A-Level qualifications alongside a wide co-curricular programme including music, theatre, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: In 1916 the modernist poet T.S. Eliot taught French and Latin at Highgate, and one of his pupils was the future UK Poet Laureate John Betjeman.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 43.5% A-Level grades at A*, 80% at A/A*, and 95.7% GCSE grades at 9–7
- City of London School for Girls
Overview: City of London School for Girls is an independent day school located within the Barbican complex in the City of London. It is one of three schools funded by the City of London Corporation and forms part of a historic educational foundation. Students study GCSE and A-Level qualifications while also participating in a broad range of cultural and academic activities.
What Makes It Unique: The school is funded through the City of London’s centuries-old charitable endowment known as “City’s Cash,” which also supports several other historic institutions.
Entry points: 10+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 39.8% A-Level grades at A*, 80.2% at A/A*, and 95.4% GCSE grades at 9–7
- King Edward VI High School for Girls
Overview: King Edward VI High School for Girls is an independent girls’ day school located in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The school is part of the historic King Edward VI Foundation and has close academic links with neighbouring King Edward’s School. Pupils study GCSE and A-Level courses supported by a wide programme of academic clubs, music, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded in 1883 as the girls’ counterpart to the King Edward VI Foundation schools originally established in the 16th century by royal charter.
Entry points: 7+, 8+, 9+, 11+, 12+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 43.3% A-Level grades at A*, 79.2% at A/A*, and 96.6% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Magdalen College School
Overview: Magdalen College School is an independent day school for boys aged 7–18 with a co-educational sixth form located in Oxford. Founded in the fifteenth century, the school has long academic links with Magdalen College at the University of Oxford. Students follow GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside a strong tradition of music, debating, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school maintains a historic connection with Magdalen College, Oxford, and its pupils have traditionally taken part in musical performances within the college chapel.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 42.3% A-Level grades at A*, 80.7% at A/A*, and 94.1% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Queen Ethelburga’s College
Overview: Queen Ethelburga’s College is an independent boarding and day school located near York in North Yorkshire. The school educates pupils from early years through to sixth form on a large modern campus. Its curriculum includes GCSE and A-Level study alongside a wide range of extracurricular programmes including performing arts and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The campus features one of the largest purpose-built school theatre complexes in the UK, used for large-scale student productions and performances.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 31.5% A-Level grades at A*, 83% at A/A*, and 90.3% GCSE grades at 9–7
- South Hampstead High School
Overview: South Hampstead High School is an independent girls’ day school in Hampstead, London and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust network. The school educates pupils from junior years through sixth form and combines GCSE and A-Level study with a wide range of academic societies, music programmes, and sporting activities.
What Makes It Unique: The school has a strong tradition in the performing arts, counting Hollywood actress Helena Bonham Carter among its notable alumnae.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 42.3% A-Level grades at A*, 79.8% at A/A*, and 92.2% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Eton College
Overview: Eton College is an independent boarding school for boys located in Windsor, Berkshire, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. The school educates around 1,300 pupils aged 13–18 and has become one of the most widely recognised schools in the world. Students follow GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside an extensive range of societies, sports, and cultural activities.
What Makes It Unique: Eton students still wear a distinctive tailcoat uniform, a tradition that has remained largely unchanged for more than a century.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 40.2% A-Level grades at A*, 78.2% at A/A*, and 94% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Eton College
Overview: Eton College is an independent boarding school for boys located in Windsor, Berkshire, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. The school educates around 1,300 pupils aged 13–18 and has become one of the most widely recognised schools in the world. Students follow GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside an extensive range of societies, sports, and cultural activities.
What Makes It Unique: Eton students still wear a distinctive tailcoat uniform, a tradition that has remained largely unchanged for more than a century.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 40.2% A-Level grades at A*, 78.2% at A/A*, and 94% GCSE grades at 9–7
Tip 1: Start with a Maths Assessment
Before beginning serious exam preparation, it is important to understand your child’s current level. A diagnostic assessment can identify strengths, gaps, and priority topics so preparation can be more focused.
👉 Take the assessment here
- Wycombe Abbey
Overview: Wycombe Abbey is an independent boarding and day school for girls located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 on a large countryside campus and is widely known for strong academic results alongside an extensive co-curricular programme. Students study GCSE and A-Level courses while also participating in music, sport, drama, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: During World War II, the campus was used as the secret underground headquarters of the United States Eighth Army Air Force.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 40.2% A-Level grades at A*, 76.2% at A/A*, and 96.7% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Concord College
Overview: Concord College is a co-educational international boarding and day school located in Shropshire near the historic Acton Burnell Castle. The school educates students aged 12–19 and attracts pupils from many different countries. Its curriculum focuses heavily on GCSE and A-Level study supported by strong mathematics and science programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school campus sits beside the medieval Acton Burnell Castle, one of England’s earliest parliamentary meeting sites.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 48.6% A-Level grades at A*, 82.4% at A/A*, and 86.2% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Putney High School GDST
Overview: Putney High School is an independent girls’ day school in southwest London and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust network. Founded in the nineteenth century, the school provides education for pupils aged 4–18 across junior and senior divisions. Students study GCSE and A-Level qualifications alongside a wide programme of academic societies, sport, music, and drama.
What Makes It Unique: The school counts prominent BBC News broadcaster and journalist Sophie Raworth among its notable alumnae.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 42.4% A-Level grades at A*, 78.3% at A/A*, and 91.8% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Lady Eleanor Holles School
Overview: Lady Eleanor Holles School is an independent girls’ day school located in Hampton in southwest London. The school educates students aged 7–18 and occupies a large campus beside the River Thames. Its academic programme leads to GCSE and A-Level study and is supported by strong music, sport, and debating programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school originally opened in the City of London in 1710 before moving to its current 24-acre riverside site in Hampton in the 1930s.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 39% A-Level grades at A*, 76.8% at A/A*, and 93.6% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Haberdashers’ Girls’ School
Overview: Haberdashers’ Girls’ School is an independent girls’ day school located in Elstree, Hertfordshire. The school shares a campus with Haberdashers’ Boys’ School and forms part of the historic Haberdashers’ Company educational foundation. Students follow GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside a wide range of extracurricular activities.
What Makes It Unique: The school is funded by the Haberdashers’ Company, a London livery company with roots dating back to the 14th century.
Entry points: 4+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 40% A-Level grades at A*, 77% at A/A*, and 93% GCSE grades at 9–7
- City of London School
Overview: City of London School is an independent boys’ day school located beside the Thames near London’s Millennium Bridge. Founded in 1834 and funded by the City of London Corporation, the school has a long academic tradition and strong public examination results. Pupils study GCSE and A-Level courses supported by debating, music, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: Actor Daniel Radcliffe, known worldwide for the Harry Potter films, attended the school.
Entry points: 10+, 11+, and 13+
Recent performance: approximately 37% A-Level grades at A*, 74.9% at A/A*, and 95.5% GCSE grades at 9–7
- James Allen’s Girls’ School
Overview: James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) is an independent girls’ day school located in Dulwich, South London. Founded in 1741, it is one of the oldest girls’ schools in England and forms part of the historic Dulwich educational foundation. Students follow GCSE and A-Level courses alongside music, drama, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded to educate poor girls in the Dulwich parish, an unusually progressive aim for girls’ education in the eighteenth century.
Entry points: 7+ and 11+
Recent performance: approximately 39.4% A-Level grades at A*, 77.8% at A/A*, and 90.7% GCSE grades at 9–7
Winchester College
Overview: Winchester College is an independent boarding school for boys located in Winchester, Hampshire. Founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham, it is one of the oldest continuously operating schools in the United Kingdom. Students follow GCSE and A-Level courses alongside extensive academic societies, music, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The school maintains its own distinct internal vocabulary and traditions, many of which date back centuries.
Entry points: 11+ and 13+
Recent performance: approximately 44.3% A-Level grades at A*, 75.7% at A/A*, and 93.5% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Haberdashers’ Boys’ School
Overview: Haberdashers’ Boys’ School is an independent day school located in Elstree, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1690, the school is part of the Haberdashers’ Company foundation and shares a large campus with Haberdashers’ Girls’ School. Students study GCSE and A-Level courses supported by a wide co-curricular programme.
What Makes It Unique: Comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen, creator of characters such as Borat and Ali G, attended the school.
Entry points: 7+ and 11+
Recent performance: approximately 41% A-Level grades at A*, 79% at A/A*, and 88% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Wimbledon High School GDST
Overview: Wimbledon High School is an independent girls’ day school in southwest London and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Founded in 1880, the school educates pupils aged 4–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong music, drama, and sporting traditions. The school also maintains a long connection with the Wimbledon area’s sporting history.
What Makes It Unique: Its notable alumnae include the award-winning journalist, author, and broadcaster Afua Hirsch.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: approximately 41.4% A-Level grades at A*, 80% at A/A*, and 85.9% GCSE grades at 9–7
- Withington Girls’ School
Overview: Withington Girls’ School is an independent girls’ day school in Manchester founded in 1890. It educates pupils aged 7–18 and is known for strong academic outcomes alongside a wide programme of music, sport, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumnae include Dr. Brenda Milner, a pioneering neuroscientist who helped establish modern neuropsychology and the scientific study of human memory.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 92.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 75.1%
- Kingston Grammar School
Overview: Kingston Grammar School is a co-educational independent day school located beside the River Thames in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in the sixteenth century, the school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level courses supported by sport, music, and outdoor programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school traces its Elizabethan charter back to 1561, linking it directly to Tudor-era education reforms.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 91.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 75.4%
- Hampton School
Overview: Hampton School is an independent day school for boys located in southwest London near the River Thames. Founded in 1557 through a charitable foundation, the school now educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level courses alongside extensive sport and co-curricular activities.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded by Robert Hamond’s Tudor charitable trust, which originally supported local education and welfare.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 95.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 71.9%
- Tonbridge School
Overview: Tonbridge School is an independent boarding school for boys in Tonbridge, Kent. Founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judde, the school occupies a large historic campus near the River Medway and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong sport and music traditions.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded under a royal charter granted during the reign of King Edward VI.
Entry points: 13+, 14+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 92.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 73.1%
- Manchester Grammar School
Overview: Manchester Grammar School is an independent boys’ day school founded in 1515 and located in Manchester. It educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level courses supported by extensive academic societies, music programmes, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The school was established through an endowment by Bishop Hugh Oldham in 1515, making it one of the oldest academic institutions in northern England.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.2% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 75.5%
- Bancroft’s School
Overview: Bancroft’s School is a co-educational independent day school in Woodford Green, northeast London. Founded in 1737, the school educates around 1,000 pupils aged 7–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level courses alongside a broad co-curricular programme.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded through the will of philanthropist Francis Bancroft, who established both the school and almshouses for the local community.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.3% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 75.1%
- Royal Grammar School, Guildford
Overview: The Royal Grammar School (RGS) Guildford is an independent day school for boys located in Guildford, Surrey. Its origins date to the early sixteenth century and the school continues to operate from historic buildings on Guildford High Street while offering GCSE and A-Level programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school houses a historic “Chained Library” created in the 1500s, one of the few remaining school libraries where early books were literally chained to shelves to prevent theft.
Entry points: 11+ and 13+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 74.7%
- King Edward’s School, Birmingham
Overview: King Edward’s School Birmingham is an independent boys’ day school in Edgbaston and part of the King Edward VI Foundation. Founded in the sixteenth century, the school offers GCSE and A-Level courses and maintains strong links with other foundation schools in Birmingham.
What Makes It Unique: The school was created through a 1552 royal charter issued by King Edward VI, which established several educational foundations across Birmingham.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 77.9%
- Trinity School, Croydon
Overview: Trinity School is an independent day school in Croydon, South London. The school educates boys aged 10–18 with a co-educational sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level courses supported by music, drama, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The school began in 1882 as Whitgift Middle School, connected to the historic Whitgift educational foundation in Croydon.
Entry points: 10+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 86.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 76.1%
- St Michael’s School
Overview: St Michael’s School is an independent boarding and day school in Llanelli, Wales. Founded in 1923, the school educates pupils aged 3–18 across preparatory, senior, and sixth-form divisions. It offers GCSE and A-Level programmes within a relatively small school community.
What Makes It Unique: Unlike most top-performing British independent schools concentrated in major English cities, St Michael’s built a strong international academic reputation from a small Welsh industrial town.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 78.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 80%
- Dulwich College
Overview: Dulwich College is an independent day and boarding school for boys located in Dulwich, South London. The school educates pupils from junior years through sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong traditions in sport, music, and drama.
What Makes It Unique: The school is home to the James Caird, the 23-foot lifeboat used by alumnus Sir Ernest Shackleton during his famous Antarctic expedition to sail nearly 800 miles from Elephant Island to South Georgia to organise the rescue of his stranded crew.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 89.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 70.8%
Think Academy Tip 6: Experience a Real 11+ Lesson
Sometimes the best way to understand a programme is to see it in action. A free trial class allows students to experience the teaching style, curriculum structure, and difficulty level of 11+ preparation.
👉 Book a free trial
- University College School
Overview: University College School is an independent boys’ day school located in Hampstead, North London. Founded in the nineteenth century with links to University College London, the school educates pupils from junior school through sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes.
What Makes It Unique: One of the school’s most famous alumni is Sir Roger Bannister, the athlete who became the first person in history to run a mile in under four minutes.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 89.3% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 69.2%
- Emanuel School
Overview: Emanuel School is a co-educational independent day school located in Battersea, London. The school educates pupils aged 10–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong programmes in music, drama, and sport.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s most famous alumnus is Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the computer scientist who invented the World Wide Web.
Entry points: 10+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 87.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 67.1%
- Reigate Grammar School
Overview: Reigate Grammar School is a co-educational independent day school located in Surrey. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside a broad extracurricular programme including sport, music, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumni include Sir Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 67.8%
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Overview: Cheltenham Ladies’ College is an independent boarding and day school for girls located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes supported by strong science, arts, and academic departments.
What Makes It Unique: The school produced aviation pioneer Mary Russell, the “Flying Duchess” of Bedford, a record-breaking aviator in the early twentieth century.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 89.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 69.4%
- Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Overview: Francis Holland School is an independent girls’ day school located near Sloane Square in central London. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong performing arts and academic programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school has a strong entertainment industry pedigree, counting Sienna Miller and Cara Delevingne among its former pupils.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 87.2% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 64.9%
- Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood
Overview: Merchant Taylors’ School is an independent day school for boys located in Northwood, London. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside extensive sport and extracurricular activities.
What Makes It Unique: One of its notable alumni is actor William Henry Pratt, better known worldwide as Boris Karloff, famous for portraying Frankenstein’s monster in classic films.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 68.2%
- St Albans High School for Girls
Overview: St Albans High School for Girls is an independent day school in Hertfordshire educating pupils aged 4–18. Students study GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside music, sport, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school sits next to the ancient Roman city of Verulamium, placing the campus beside one of Britain’s most significant archaeological sites.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 87.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 64.7%
- Abingdon School
Overview: Abingdon School is an independent day and boarding school for boys located in Oxfordshire. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong music, science, and sporting traditions.
What Makes It Unique: In the mid-1980s, several pupils formed a band called “On a Friday”, which later changed its name and became the globally famous rock band Radiohead.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 67.4%
- Oxford High School GDST
Overview: Oxford High School is an independent girls’ day school located in Oxford and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust. The school educates pupils aged 7–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside a wide range of extracurricular activities.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumnae include Dame Maggie Smith, the internationally renowned actor known for roles in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and numerous stage productions.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 66.2%
- Abingdon School
Overview: Abingdon School is an independent day and boarding school for boys located in Oxfordshire. The school traces its recorded history to 1256, when Abingdon Abbey endowed funds for the education of local scholars.
What Makes It Unique: In the mid-1980s, several pupils formed a band called “On a Friday,” which later changed its name and became the world-famous rock band Radiohead.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 67.4%
- Oxford High School GDST
Overview: Oxford High School is an independent girls’ day school located in Oxford and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust. The school educates pupils aged 7–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside a broad extracurricular programme.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumnae include the legendary actor Dame Maggie Smith, known worldwide for roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 66.2%
- Eltham College
Overview: Eltham College is a co-educational independent day school located in southeast London. The school educates pupils aged 7–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level courses alongside strong sport, music, and academic programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s most legendary alumnus is Eric Liddell, the Olympic gold-medal-winning runner whose story inspired the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 86.3% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 62.4%
- Wellington College
Overview: Wellington College is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Berkshire. The school educates pupils aged 13–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong leadership and outdoor education programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school was established as a national memorial to the Duke of Wellington, the British commander who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
Entry points: 13+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 87.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 67.2%
- Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST
Overview: Notting Hill and Ealing High School is an independent girls’ day school in west London and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Students study GCSE and A-Level programmes supported by music, drama, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school has a long tradition of competitive debating, with students regularly participating in national debating competitions.
Entry points: 4+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 63.3%
- Nottingham High School
Overview: Nottingham High School is a co-educational independent day school located in Nottingham. The school educates pupils from early years through sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside a broad extracurricular programme.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s notable alumni include D. H. Lawrence, one of the most influential literary figures of the twentieth century.
Entry points: 4+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 84.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 69.9%
- St Helen and St Katharine
Overview: St Helen and St Katharine is an independent girls’ day school located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The school educates pupils aged 9–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes supported by strong academic and arts programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s notable alumnae include Samantha Cameron, businesswoman and wife of former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Entry points: 9+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 92.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 64.8%
- Caterham School
Overview: Caterham School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in Surrey. Students study GCSE and A-Level programmes supported by sport, drama, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school is recognised for its innovation in digital learning and technology programmes, including strong robotics initiatives.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 91.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 65.1%
- Surbiton High School
Overview: Surbiton High School is an independent girls’ day school located in Kingston upon Thames. The school educates pupils from preparatory level through sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school has a strong rowing tradition on the River Thames, with students regularly competing in national school rowing regattas.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 85.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 68.8%
- City of London Freemen’s School
Overview: City of London Freemen’s School is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Surrey. The school educates pupils aged 7–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong sport and performing arts programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s most famous alumnus is Andrew Garfield, the Hollywood actor who later achieved global fame as Spider-Man.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 81.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 71.3%
- St Catherine’s School, Bramley
Overview: St Catherine’s School is an independent girls’ boarding and day school located near Guildford in Surrey. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong music and arts programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school chapel houses a rare original 19th-century Father Willis organ, attracting visiting classical musicians.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 87.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 62.9%
- St John’s College, Cardiff
Overview: St John’s College is a co-educational independent day school located in Cardiff, Wales. The school educates pupils from nursery through sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school is the official choir school of Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral, and its choirs frequently perform on national television and radio.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 69.5%
- St Mary’s School Ascot
Overview: St Mary’s School Ascot is an independent boarding and day school for girls located in Berkshire. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school maintains a strong Catholic educational heritage linked to the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 86.4% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 63.5%
Think Academy Tip 3: Practise with Realistic 11+ Papers
Regular exposure to exam-style questions helps children become familiar with timing, question formats, and problem-solving strategies. Practising structured papers can significantly improve exam confidence.
👉 Access practice papers
- St Swithun’s School
Overview: St Swithun’s School is an independent boarding and day school for girls located in Winchester, Hampshire. Students study GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside sport, music, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumnae include the award-winning television journalist and war correspondent Alex Crawford.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 86.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 61.2%
- Channing School
Overview: Channing School is an independent girls’ day school located in Highgate, London. The school educates pupils aged 4–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside music, sport, and drama.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded by Unitarian reformers who promoted expanded education for girls in Victorian London.
Entry points: 4+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 85.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 60.1%
- Benenden School
Overview: Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls located in Kent. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong arts and sports programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school has strong ties to the British Royal Family and educated Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 86.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 60.8%
- Whitgift School
Overview: Whitgift School is an independent day and boarding school for boys located in South Croydon, London. Students study GCSE and A-Level programmes supported by sport, music, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school shares historic links with Trinity School Croydon, both founded from the Whitgift educational foundation.
Entry points: 10+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 87.4% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 62.3%
- Harrow School
Overview: Harrow School is a boarding school for boys located in northwest London. The school educates pupils aged 13–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong sport and music programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school is famous for its distinctive straw boater hats and tailcoat uniform, one of the most recognisable school uniforms in Britain.
Entry points: 13+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 86.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 61.7%
- Harrodian School
Overview: Harrodian School is a co-educational independent day school located in Barnes, London. The school educates pupils aged 4–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong performing arts programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The campus was originally the Harrods Sports Club, a private country club built exclusively for employees of the famous Harrods department store.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 56.3%
- Sir William Perkins’s School
Overview: Sir William Perkins’s School is an independent girls’ day school located in Chertsey, Surrey. Students study GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside music, sport, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The school originated from the charitable foundation created by merchant Sir William Perkins to support girls’ education.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 84.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 58.4%
- The Leys School
Overview: The Leys School is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Cambridge. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside sport, music, and academic societies.
What Makes It Unique: The novel and film Goodbye, Mr. Chips was written by Leys alumnus James Hilton, who based the famous schoolmaster character on one of the school’s masters.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 56.7%
- The Cathedral School, Llandaff
Overview: The Cathedral School, Llandaff is a co-educational independent day school located in Cardiff, Wales. The school educates pupils from preparatory years through sixth form.
What Makes It Unique: Pupils regularly sing and participate in services at Llandaff Cathedral, maintaining a long-standing musical connection with the historic church.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 82.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 55.9%
- Sheffield Girls’ High School GDST
Overview: Sheffield Girls’ High School is an independent day school for girls located in Sheffield and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust.
What Makes It Unique: The school educated Helen Sharman, the pioneering chemist who became the first British astronaut when she travelled to space in 1991.
Entry points: 4+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.2% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 56.8%
- Colfe’s School
Overview: Colfe’s School is a co-educational independent day school located in southeast London.
What Makes It Unique: During World War II, the school was almost completely destroyed by a V-1 flying bomb in 1944, forcing the entire campus to be rebuilt after the war.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 84.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 57.4%
- Radley College
Overview: Radley College is a boys-only boarding school located near Oxford.
What Makes It Unique: Radley maintains its own distinctive school vocabulary—teachers are called “dons,” the headmaster is the “warden,” and boarding houses are known as “socials.”
Entry points: 13+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 85.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 60.6%
- Epsom College
Overview: Epsom College is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Surrey.
What Makes It Unique: The school was originally founded in the nineteenth century to educate the children of doctors, reflecting its charitable medical origins.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 84.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 58.3%
- St Helen’s School, Northwood
Overview: St Helen’s School is an independent girls’ day school located in Northwood, London.
What Makes It Unique: The school opened in 1899 with only nine pupils, illustrating the early growth of girls’ education in late Victorian England.
Entry points: 4+, 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 82.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 55.8%
- Redmaids’ High School
Overview: Redmaids’ High School is an independent girls’ day school located in Bristol.
What Makes It Unique: Following the 1634 will of its founder, the students still wear distinctive red uniforms, a tradition that has survived for nearly 400 years.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 56.2%
- Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Overview: The Royal Grammar School is an independent day school located in Newcastle upon Tyne.
What Makes It Unique: Former pupil Sir Gregory Winter later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work on antibody engineering.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 85.3% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 58.9%
- The King’s School, Chester
Overview: The King’s School is a co-educational independent day school located in Chester.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded in 1541 by King Henry VIII following the dissolution of the monasteries.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 55.4%
Think Academy Tip 4: Identify Learning Gaps with a Diagnostic Test
A structured maths assessment provides a clear picture of a student’s current ability level. This allows parents to focus revision on the areas that will make the biggest difference in exam performance.
👉 Start the assessment
- Westbourne School
Overview: Westbourne School is an independent co-educational day school located in Penarth, Wales.
What Makes It Unique: Despite its small size in a Welsh seaside town, it was one of the first schools in the UK to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma, attracting international students from around the world.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 84.4% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 56.8%
- St Dunstan’s College
Overview: St Dunstan’s College is a co-educational independent day school located in Catford, London.
What Makes It Unique: The school traces its origins to a parish grammar school linked to St Dunstan’s Church, later relocated to Catford in the nineteenth century.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 81.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 54.9%
- The Abbey School, Reading
Overview: The Abbey School is an independent girls’ day school located in Reading, Berkshire.
What Makes It Unique: The school is named after the nearby Reading Abbey, founded by King Henry I in 1121, which also serves as his royal burial site.
Entry points: 4+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 82.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 53.6%
- Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park
Overview: Francis Holland School is an independent girls’ day school located near Regent’s Park in London.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded by Canon Francis Holland, who aimed to provide serious academic education for girls during the Victorian era.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 82.5% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 54.3%
- King Edward’s School, Bath
Overview: King Edward’s School is a co-educational independent day school located in Bath.
What Makes It Unique: The school dates back to 1552, when it was established by royal charter during the reign of Edward VI.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 83.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 55.7%
- Hurstpierpoint College
Overview: Hurstpierpoint College is a co-educational boarding and day school located in West Sussex.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s striking Victorian Gothic main building has been used as a filming location for numerous high-profile television and film productions.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 82.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 54.4%
- Oundle School
Overview: Oundle School is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Northamptonshire.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s diverse alumni network includes both evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson.
Entry points: 13+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 84.2% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 55.8%
- Solihull School
Overview: Solihull School is a co-educational independent day school located in the West Midlands.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded in 1560, making it one of the oldest and most established academic institutions in the Midlands.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 82.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 53.9%
- Leicester Grammar School
Overview: Leicester Grammar School is a co-educational independent day school located in Leicestershire.
What Makes It Unique: Despite its traditional name, the school is remarkably modern, having been founded in 1981 to replace Leicester’s former state grammar schools.
Entry points: 10+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 80.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 51.7%
- Haileybury
Overview: Haileybury is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Hertfordshire.
What Makes It Unique: The campus occupies the former East India College, the historic site where administrators for the British East India Company were trained.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 81.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 52.6%
- Ardingly College
Overview: Ardingly College is a co-educational boarding and day school located in West Sussex.
What Makes It Unique: The school educated Ian Hislop, the journalist and satirist best known as the long-time team captain on the BBC panel show Have I Got News for You.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 80.2% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 50.8%
- St George’s College, Weybridge
Overview: St George’s College is a co-educational independent day school located in Weybridge, Surrey. Founded by the Josephite Fathers in the nineteenth century, the school serves pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes within a strong Catholic educational tradition.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s notable alumni include the world-renowned novelist and screenwriter Sir Anthony Horowitz, creator of the Alex Rider series and Foyle’s War.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 80.7% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 52.1%
- Bishop’s Stortford College
Overview: Bishop’s Stortford College is a co-educational independent day and boarding school located in Hertfordshire. The school educates pupils from preparatory years through sixth form and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong sporting and music traditions.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumni include Sir Christopher Cockerell, the visionary engineer and inventor who famously created the hovercraft.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 80.4% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 51.6%
- St Edmund’s School, Canterbury
Overview: St Edmund’s School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school located in Canterbury, Kent. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes within a historic cathedral city setting.
What Makes It Unique: The school is the only provider of education for the choristers of Canterbury Cathedral, continuing a musical tradition connected to the cathedral for centuries.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 79.8% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 50.9%
- The Perse School
Overview: The Perse School is a co-educational independent day school located in Cambridge. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes with a strong focus on mathematics, science, and academic enrichment.
What Makes It Unique: The school was founded in 1615 by Dr Stephen Perse, making it the oldest secondary school in Cambridge and maintaining a close historical connection with the University of Cambridge for more than four centuries.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 88.3% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 66.5%
- Queen’s College, Taunton
Overview: Queen’s College is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in Taunton, Somerset. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes supported by a wide range of sports and performing arts opportunities.
What Makes It Unique: The school counts the celebrated children’s author Arthur Ransome, best known for the Swallows and Amazons series, among its notable former pupils.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 78.9% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 49.8%
- King’s College Taunton
Overview: King’s College Taunton is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in Somerset. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong sports and outdoor education activities.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s campus includes a rare nineteenth-century observatory, giving students the opportunity to participate in astronomical observation and study.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 79.6% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 50.4%
- Felsted School
Overview: Felsted School is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Essex. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers both A-Level and International Baccalaureate programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school has a historical connection to the English Civil War, having educated several of Oliver Cromwell’s sons, while his wife Elizabeth is buried in the nearby parish church.
Entry points: 11+, 13+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 80.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 51.2%
- Repton School
Overview: Repton School is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Derbyshire. The school educates pupils aged 13–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes within a historic campus built around a former monastery site.
What Makes It Unique: One of the school’s most famous alumni is Roald Dahl, whose experiences at Repton and the nearby Cadbury chocolate factory helped inspire elements of his novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Entry points: 13+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 79.4% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 50.6%
- Bedford School
Overview: Bedford School is an independent boarding and day school for boys located in Bedfordshire. The school educates pupils aged 7–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes alongside strong sport and performing arts programmes.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumni include Sir Alastair Cook, the record-breaking England cricketer who became the youngest player to score 10,000 Test runs and was later knighted for his services to the sport.
Entry points: 7+, 11+, and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 81.2% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 52.7%
- King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham
Overview: King Edward VI High School for Girls is an independent day school located in Birmingham. The school educates pupils aged 11–18 and offers GCSE and A-Level programmes with a strong academic focus.
What Makes It Unique: The school’s alumnae include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Sir Maurice Wilkins, whose work contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA.
Entry points: 11+ and 16+
Recent performance: GCSE 9–7 ≈ 89.1% | A-Level A*/A ≈ 67.8%
Understanding Private School Entry Points: 7+, 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form
7+ Entrance Exams
The 7+ exam is usually taken in Year 2 for entry into Year 3 at preparatory schools. Selective London schools such as Westminster Under School and St Paul’s Juniors use this assessment to identify pupils with strong early academic ability.
The exam typically includes:
- Mathematics
- English comprehension
- Reasoning tasks
- Interviews or assessment activities
Because places are limited and competition can be high, many families begin preparing well in advance using practice papers or mock exams.
11+ Entrance Exams
The 11+ exam is the most common entry point for independent secondary schools in the UK. Students take it during Year 6 for entry into Year 7.
The assessment usually includes:
- Mathematics
- English
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- ISEB (Some Schools)
- Interviews
Leading schools such as St Paul’s School, Westminster School, and King’s College School Wimbledon receive a large number of applications each year, making the 11+ one of the most competitive admissions processes.
13+ Entrance Exams
Some of the UK’s most well-known boarding schools, including Eton College, Winchester College, and Harrow School, offer their main entry point at 13+ (Year 9). Students often attend preparatory schools beforehand and take the Common Entrance examination. This route is especially common for pupils aiming to attend traditional boarding schools.
Sixth Form Entry After GCSE
Another major entry point occurs after GCSE exams, when students apply for Sixth Form places (Year 12) to study A-Levels.
Selective schools typically require:
GCSE grades between 7 and 9
Strong academic references
Entrance tests or interviews
Many top independent schools accept new students at this stage, making it a popular option for those seeking a highly academic environment before university.
Understanding these different entry points can help parents plan the best pathway into leading private schools in the UK, whether through early entrance exams such as the 7+ and 11+, or later entry after GCSE results.
When researching private schools in the UK, parents will often come across admissions stages such as 7+, 11+, 13+, and Sixth Form entry after GCSE. These represent the most common ages at which students join independent schools.
How to Get Into Top Private Schools in the UK
Typical entry points
7+ entry
11+ entry
13+ entry
16+ entry (sixth form)
Each entry point corresponds to a different stage of schooling, and admission may involve academic assessments, interviews, and school references.
Typical entrance tests
Most independent school entrance exams assess:
Maths
English
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning
Some schools also require additional assessments such as creative writing, problem solving, or science exams. For example, the 13+ Common Entrance exam includes core subjects like English, mathematics, and science.
Preparing early through practice papers and mock exams can help students become familiar with the exam format and improve their performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Schools in the UK
What are the best private schools in the UK?
The best private schools in the UK are usually ranked based on GCSE results, A-Level performance, academic reputation, and university destinations. Schools such as St Paul’s School, St Paul’s Girls’ School, King’s College School Wimbledon, Westminster School, and North London Collegiate School frequently appear among the top performers in national rankings.
How are private schools ranked in the UK?
Private school rankings in the UK are typically based on GCSE results (percentage of grades 9–7), A-Level results (percentage of A*/A grades), university destinations, academic reputation, and facilities or extracurricular programmes. Many rankings combine exam results with broader measures of school quality.
Are private schools better than state schools in the UK?
Private schools often provide smaller class sizes, extensive facilities, and additional academic support. In many cases they also achieve very strong exam results. For example, nearly 30% of GCSE grades in private schools achieve the top grade 9, significantly higher than the national average.
What exams do students take to enter private schools?
Most private schools require entrance exams during the admissions process. These exams usually test mathematics, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Many schools also require interviews and school references as part of the selection process
What is the 11+ exam?
The 11+ exam is an entrance examination taken by pupils in their final year of primary school. It is commonly used by grammar schools and some independent schools for admission into Year 7. The exam typically assesses maths, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning
How difficult is it to get into top UK private schools?
Admission to leading independent schools is highly competitive. Most schools require students to sit entrance exams several months before entry and attend interviews. Strong academic preparation and familiarity with exam formats are usually essential to secure a place
What age can children start private school in the UK?
Private schools offer several common entry points depending on the school structure. The most common ages are 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+. Some schools also offer earlier entry through preparatory school programmes.
Are Private Schools Good For Your Child?
Children from various racial, cultural, and national origins are encouraged to interact, feel at home, and be themselves at independent schools. This makes sure that everyone is appreciated, realises their full potential, and gains an appreciation for the benefits that come from diversity.
A decent independent school that your child enjoys and will thrive at would appear to be the obvious choice if money were genuinely no object. So the answer to the question of whether independent (private) schools are free is no. They are all independently run, fee-paying schools that are not subject to local authority or governmental oversight. There may not be an obvious choice for many parents. So the list below that states the best private schools in the UK are all with tuition fees. The realities of life outside of school should be imparted to students in public institutions. They must understand that, in the workplace, soft skills, confidence, and self-belief are just as important as academic accomplishments.
You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:
