Top 30 UK Independent Secondary Schools 2022
Are you considering independent secondary schools for your child? With over 2,500 independent schools to choose from, the table below is a great place to start!
This article will help you identify the UK’s best performing independent schools and learn more about each of the schools in detail and why parents choose independent schools for their children. Are you looking for a more updated list? We have the best private schools in the UK 2022 version for you as well!
Also, it is recommended for 11+ students to take 11 plus mock exams in a daily basis. We have free 11 plus mock exams prepared for you!
Top 30 UK Independent Secondary Schools Ranking
| School | Rank | Last Year’s Rank | Location | GCSE Rank | A-Level Rank | Entry Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Paul’s Girls’ School | 1 | 1 | London | 1 | 5 | F |
| The Godolphin and Latymer School | 2 | 6 | London | 6= | 6= | F |
| Brighton College | 3 | 7 | Brighton | 11 | 4 | Mixed |
| King’s College School, Wimbledon | 4 | 3 | London | 6= | 8= | Mixed Sixth Form |
| Wycombe Abbey School | 5 | 4 | High Wycombe | 3 | 11 | F |
| Magdalen College School | 6 | 5 | Oxford | 13 | 8= | Mixed Sixth Form |
| Guildford High School | 7 | 9 | Guildford | 4 | 16= | F |
| St Mary’s School Ascot | 8 | 16 | Ascot | 9 | 14 | F |
| St Paul’s School | 9 | 10 | London | 5 | 18 | M |
| King Edward VI High School for Girls | 10 | 26 | Birmingham | 15 | 10 | F |
| Eton College | 11 | 15 | Windsor | 16 | 12= | M |
| Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls | 12 | 17 | Elstree | 17= | 12= | F |
| Cardiff Sixth Form College | 13 | – | Cardiff | 54 | 1 | Mixed |
| Westminster School | 14 | 8 | London | 2 | 44= | Mixed Sixth Form |
| City of London School | 15 | 48 | London | 10 | 25 | M |
| North London Collegiate School | 16 | 12 | Edgware | 6= | 35 | F |
| Concord College | 17 | 25 | Shrewsbury | 51= | 3 | Mixed |
| Sevenoaks School | 18 | 13= | Sevenoaks | 24= | 19 | Mixed |
| Hampton School | 19= | 31 | Hampton | 24= | 20 | M |
| The Perse School | 19= | 13= | Cambridge | 14 | 32= | Mixed |
| Withington Girls’ School | 21 | 34 | Manchester | 27 | 21= | F |
| UCS Hampstead | 22 | 44= | London | 22 | 28= | Mixed Sixth Form |
| The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School | 23 | 11 | Elstree | 35= | 21= | M |
| City of London School for Girls | 24 | 2 | London | 12 | 48= | F |
| Highgate School | 25 | 33 | London | 29= | 28= | Mixed |
| South Hampstead High School GDST | 26 | 46 | London | 17= | 39= | F |
| Latymer Upper School | 27 | 35 | London | 20 | 37= | Mixed |
| James Allen’s Girls’ School | 28 | 30 | London | 21 | 37= | F |
| Oxford High School GDST | 29 | 44= | Oxford | 37= | 26= | F |
| Eltham College | 30 | 42 | London | 42 | 21= | Mixed Sixth Form |
Why Parents Choose Independent Secondary Schools
There are a whole host of reasons for parents choosing to send their child to an independent school. However, for most parents, the decision is based on the school’s solid academic performance reflected in its GCSE and A-level results. Other considerations include the higher quality of teaching and facilities and a broader selection of extracurricular activities.
Parents also choose UK independent schools based on their:
- Modern, diverse, and inclusive learning environments
- Smaller class sizes
- Celebration of individualism
- Enhanced parent-teacher communication
- Support applying to Britain’s leading higher education institutions, such as interview preparation for Oxford and Cambridge universities
For others, the decision is undoubtedly influenced by the level of prestige associated with sending their child to the UK’s best performing schools. Especially when you consider that only 6.5% of British children attend an independent school.
Are Independent Secondary Schools Better Than State Secondary Schools?
If you’re a primary school pupil parent, you have no doubt asked yourself this when making preparations for the Year 6 transition to secondary school. If you choose to send your child to a state school, they can still achieve good academic results and progress to higher education.
Statistically, UK independent school pupils perform better than their state school counterparts at GCSE and A-level. Independent schools promote a healthy learning environment that complements a child’s individual needs, encouraging them to flourish in all areas of their academic and personal development. Because of the facilities and resources available, independent schools are better equipped to achieve this than their state counterparts. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether your child is best suited to an independent or state school education.
Below, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, explains more about independent schools’ value and successful initiatives to collaborate with state schools, providing more British children with first-class educational opportunities.
In Detail: The Top 30 UK Independent Schools
Ranked by the Sunday Times as Britain’s leading independent school, St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith, London, also holds the top place for GCSE results in the country, with an exceptional 5th place for A-level results. The school accepts entry to girls aged 11 and 16, with a rigorous entry process. With this year’s entry procedure well underway, parents considering a 2022 entry for their daughter can get started soon by attending the school’s spring and summer term tours. From March, you can email admissions@spgs.org to book your place!
2. The Godolphin and Latymer School
Also located in Hammersmith, London, the Godolphin and Latymer School is an independent day school for girls, accepting entry at 11 and 16. The school boasts excellent GCSE and A-level results but stresses the equal importance of extracurricular achievements and that its pupils wear their credentials lightly. Admission is by 11+ entry using the ISEB common pre-test, in addition to an interview. The school hosted 11+ open days online last year, but open days for 2022 entry are yet to be announced. For more information, contact registrar@godolphinandlatymer.com.
Styled by the Sunday Times as the Independent School of the Decade, Brighton College holds the prestigious third place on the list. The school accepts students as young as three years old to their pre-preparatory nursery, providing a first-class education for all pupils until age 18. With the 11+ admissions process starting in Year 6, the school encourages early application and recommends attending one of its taster days. You can learn more here.
4. King’s College School, Wimbledon
An independent day school for boys with a mixed sixth form, King’s College School, Wimbledon has 1400 pupils and describes itself as one of the world’s most academically successful schools. As with most independent schools on this list, an admissions application needs to be made early. King’s is particularly supportive in that respect, and you can now sign up to one of the school’s virtual forums held in February and March to learn more about 11+ entry. Moreover, if you feel that this is the school for your son, click here to learn more about the 11+ 2022 entry.
An exclusive boarding school for girls, the High Wycombe-based school, is regarded as one of the country’s best all-girl independent schools. The school’s outstanding academic performance is undoubtedly due to its ethos of promoting a curiosity for learning and an open mind. This is reflected in pupils’ continued success, with 50% accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities, and others continuing to world-renowned universities such as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, and MIT to name a few. Entry points to the school are at ages 11, 13, and 16 with parents invited to contact the admissions team by emailing registrar@wycombeabbey.com.
As one of the country’s leading independent all-boys schools, the prestigious Magdalen College School is located in Oxford and is more than 500 years old. As a top 10 school for A-level results and a consistently strong academic record of pupils at GCSE, the school values and actively promotes its extracurricular activities such as sport, music, drama, art and other clubs and societies. While the school accepts students at junior, senior, and Sixth Form entry, 11+ and 13+ entrance exams are taken in Year 6. You can find more information about the school’s admissions procedure here.
Choosing to send your daughter to Guildford High School is a choice to pursue academic excellence. The independent day school for girls aged 4-18 years old holds the fourth highest GCSE results in the country. Joining the school at 11+ entry, your daughter will have access to top specialists in teaching, learning subjects such as philosophy and oracy in addition to core subjects. If you want to learn more about the school’s 2022 entry, you can contact the admissions team here.
St Mary’s is a leading Roman Catholic independent secondary school for girls. A boarding school located in Ascot, Berkshire, pupils enjoy greater access to high-quality teachers and a caring pastoral team due to its size, with less than 400 pupils in total. This means there is a stronger focus on each child’s academic development, supervised by their own tutor, to create a path to success.
For prospective pupils, entry is usually at 11+. However, with only 65 pupils accepted per year, this school is particularly selective. St Mary’s recommends registering interest for your daughter’s admission at least two years before entry. In addition to entrance exams, you should note that preference is given to pupils of the Roman Catholic faith. For more information, you can contact the admissions department by email at admissions@st-marys-ascot.co.uk.
An independent school for boys, applying to join the school at 11+ entry will mean that your son joins St. Paul’s Juniors for two years, after which he will make a smooth transition to a secondary-style curriculum in Year 9. Located in London, please note that this school is very selective. The school will only accept 36 pupils at 11+ entry. However, you can still apply for 13+ entry. The school boasts the fifth-highest GCSE results in the country, introducing pupils to unique subjects such as Ancient Greek! The school is already accepting 11+ entry applications for 2022 which you can access here.
10 – King Edward VI High School for Girls
An independent school for girls in Birmingham, pupils, enrol onto a comprehensive course to study modern languages, mathematics, literature, arts, sports, and more. The school’s A-level results are excellent, with 48% of grades at A* and 87% at A*/A, resulting in the school making the top 10 A-level rankings. For parents interested in learning more about this outstanding school, the next open day is planned for June 2022. To book a place or learn more about permissions, click here.
11. Eton College
Located in Windsor, Eton College is an all-boys boarding independent school, with rather notable alma mater such as HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The school educates boys from ages 13-18, with entry at Year 9 via the 13+.
12. Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls
This all-girls independent school is ranked as one of the highest in the country, with strong academic records and pupils progressing to the world’s best universities. The school is located on the same campus as the boys’ school, integrating single-sex education in a coeducational environment. For the senior school, entry is via the 11+, and you can click here to learn more about the admissions.
13. Cardiff Sixth Form College
Holding the top position for A-level results in the country, Cardiff Sixth Form College prides itself on a teaching philosophy drawn from best practices worldwide. With a multicultural pupil body and an admiration for educational discipline practised in the eastern hemisphere, the school’s unique approach is appealing to some parents. However, students can only join for a one-year GCSE course or to prepare for their A-levels.
With the country’s second-highest GCSE results, this school is a popular choice for parents seeking to give their son a top-quality education. Located in the heart of London, you can apply for entry via the 13+. The school has a mixed Sixth Form and in its 500-year history has educated well-known individuals such as the philosopher John Locke (1632-1704), John Spedan Lewis (1885-1963), and actress Helena Bonham Carter CBE (1966-).
The central London independent boys school claims to be unashamedly academic, preparing its pupils for intellectual exploration. The school is successfully sends more than 20% of its pupils to Oxford and Cambridge universities and a high number of pupils to Medical School.
16. North London Collegiate School
This all-girls independent school accepts pupils from 4-18 years of age at multiple entry points. With a diverse student body, a supportive learning environment and strong GCSE results, this is undeniably a centre for academic excellence, inspiring young women to always be at their best.
17. Concord College
Providing its international community of students with the tools to succeed in flourish in their academic studies and extracurricular activities, the Shrewsbury school accepts both boys and girls and holds third place for the best A-level results in the UK.
18. Sevenoaks School
Originally founded in 1492 and situated in the Kent countryside, this prestigious independent school for boys and girls boasts a 100-acre campus, arguably one of the most picturesque schools in the UK. Academic results are excellent, with the school sending students to the country’s leading higher education institutions. Entry for day boarders only is at 11+, with day and boarding entry at 13+
19.= Hampton School
You can register your son to this school for both 11+ and 13+ entry. While the school has a good academic record, it equally thrives in sport and extracurricular activities. Discover more from Hampton School’s pupils as tell you about the school themselves.
19.= The Perse School
Entry points to this school, located in Cambridge, are at Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form. Take a virtual tour of the school here.
This independent day school for girls is regarded as the Sunday Times’ independent school of the decade in the northwest of England. Year 7 entry is determined by examination and an interview.
22. UCS Hampstead
With learning values such as resilience, relationships, responsibility, and resourcefulness, this school claims to support pupils in becoming all-rounders, rather than solely focusing on academia. With that said, the London-based school has exceptional GCSE and A-level results. Entry for boys hoping to attend the senior school is at 11+.
23. The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School
A challenging academic curriculum and a wealth of dramatic, musical, and sporting activities are just some of the reasons Headteacher Gus Lock believes his independent school for boys is the perfect place for your son. With strong examination results, the Elstree-located school is a solid choice for secondary education.
24. City of London School for Girls
Like many schools on this list, applications for 2022 entry will likely not open until November of this year. But that shouldn’t stop you visiting the school for an open event in June. This school styles itself as intellectually, with an unpretentious environment. Learn more about the admissions procedure here.
25. Highgate School
Accepting students from all backgrounds across London, this school accepts around 80 boys and girls at 11+ entry. Why the low number? As with most schools on the list, the school prioritises pupils enrolled in its junior school, so make sure to apply early!
26. South Hampstead High School GDST
With top academic results at both GCSE and A-level, the young women at South Hampstead are accepted into a number of the worlds most prestigious higher education institutions. In 2020, 20% of pupils received offers from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
With 84% of A-level students accepted to their first choice university and 83% of GCSE results in the 9/8 range, this independent school delivers on its promise to students to succeed.
With pupils aged 4-18, this is the oldest all-girls independent school in London, and for many parents, this is more than just a school, but an educational centre that shapes their daughter’s future. For secondary education, the school will accept entry at the 11+ and deferred 13+.
Oxford High styles itself as a leader in girls’ education. The school performs outstandingly at GCSE and A-level and is a sensible choice for a parent looking to see a return on investment regarding their child’s future. With consistently high grades, 1 in 5 girls receives an offer from Oxbridge, with 90% accepted to Russel Group universities.
30. Eltham College
It might be last on this top 30 list, but don’t let its bottom place fool you, as this list could include hundreds more independent secondary schools. Sending your child to Eltham College is a superb parental choice. Registration for 2022 entry officially opened in December last year, so now is the time to consider admission. Learn more about this marvellous school’s open days here.
Read more
11 Plus Maths Exam: Help Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2021
The Best Private Schools in the UK: Top 50 2022
11 Plus Exam Preparation: A Guide to the Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning Tests