The UK has earned a reputation as one of the best destinations for pursuing an education. It is home to some of the world’s most prestigious third-level institutions, so it is no wonder that such an emphasis has been placed on the quality of secondary school education and the preparation of students for success in the GCSE and A-level exams.
In this article, we will take a look at the school system here in the UK so that you can get a sense of where you might be the best fit for your child. We will also discuss a number of the best secondary schools and where they rank when it comes to the grades they produce.
With an abundance of options, it can be a daunting process to select a school that aligns with your values and meets your child's needs for quality education. This is why every year, parents eagerly await the UK school rankings to be released so that they can learn about their academic excellence.
That’s where we come in. Our aim in this discussion is also to provide information about the extracurricular activities and the overall school environment at each of the top destinations so that your child can shift their focus back to what matters most: keeping those grades up!
Breaking Down the School System for Secondary Education in the UK
We will take a look at a number of the leading schools across London so that you have can make your choice on what options to fill out at the top of your child's preference list.
The table below shows the type of school and the results it produces. You will also find the highly valued national rank, so you can get a sense of where the institution lies among the country's best.
| School Name | Type | % of Students Achieving A or A in A-Level Results | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| North London Collegiate School | Private School | 95.6% | 9 |
| The Henrietta Barnett School | Grammar School | 93.2% | 17 |
| Godolphin and Latymer School | Private School | 92.5% | 19 |
| Lady Eleanor Holles School | Private School | 91.8% | 20 |
| Francis Holland School, Regent's Park | Private School | 79.4% | 41 |
Before you jump right in and begin your search for potential schools that you would like to enroll your child in, it’s important that you familiarise yourself with the different kinds of schools that we have here in the UK.
State Schools
The first and most common kind of school are state schools, which are also commonly referred to as public schools. This means that the education is funded by the government and that they adhere to the national curriculum.
The national curriculum includes core subjects such as English, Math and Science, which are compulsory for every child. There are also a number of elective subjects, such as business, history and geography, that can be selected in addition to these.
State schools typically accept students based on their proximity to the school and don’t require their students to sit any preliminary entrance exams or part ways with tuition fees.
Having a shorter commute to school each day can make quite a difference in your child’s learning experience in the long run. Even twenty minutes less of a commute to and from school, when added up over the course of a year, can make a big difference on your child’s weekly schedule.
Given the larger pool of students that state schools cater to, they often have larger class sizes and more diverse student bodies.
Grammar Schools
Another type of school that you might want to consider sending your child to is a grammar school. These are also state-funded schools but have an admission process where students are assessed through the 11-plus exams.
Students are evaluated based on their proficiency across subjects such as Mathematics, English as well as reasoning skills.
The video above details the history of grammar schools in the UK and how they are an effective and affordable way of preparing your child for university and life afterwards.
Unlike state schools, admission to these schools is based on test scores which leads to greater competition among students.
For this reason, grammar schools are known for their academic performance and how they prepare students for higher education.
Private Schools
As the name might suggest, private schools are a little more exclusive and have a more rigorous selection process.
The admission process often comes with a number of entrance exams as well as an interview process. They tend to focus on fostering a culture and seek candidates who are not only high achievers but also align with the school’s values.
Perhaps one of the biggest characteristics of a private school is that it requires students to pay fees for enrollment, either per term or annually.
If you are wondering if private school is the right choice for your child or if it is worth the cost, the conversation above will walk you through a number of important considerations for parents to keep in mind.
On top of that, private schools also possess some freedom to stray from the national curriculum and can provide a diverse selection of courses among smaller class sizes.
Many parents find this very attractive as it gives their child more time for one-on-one learning in the classroom. You may also find that many private schools in the UK also have a variety of extracurricular activities on offer, which can provide plenty of learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Hopefully, with the above in mind, you have a better idea of what would be the best fit for your child.
The Henrietta Barnett School
Now that we are all on the same page about the different kinds of school systems available across the UK, let’s take a look at the best individual schools and what they can offer your child.
There is perhaps no better school to start this list off than The Henrietta Barnett School, which is conveniently located in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. If you live in London, then this is going to be a top contender for you, but it is also attractive for students who find themselves further afield.
It’s no wonder why The Henrietta Barnett School has been a favourite among parents since it was founded all the way back in 1911, considering the grades it produces and the absence of tuition fees.
In recent times the school has seen results with over 97% of students achieving Grade 7 or above in their GCSEs and an impressive 89% attaining Grades 9/8.
Of course, with such attractive accolades attached to the school, it comes with a selective admission process that is based on performance in the 11-plus entrance exam. So make sure that your child knuckles down and gets the grades they need in order to stack the odds in their favour.
Godolphin and Latymer School
As with any discussion about the top schools in the UK, London’s Godolphin and Latymer School has to be featured in our list.
The private school caters specifically to girls aged between eleven and eighteen and places a strong focus on nurturing its students' curiosity and passion outside of the classroom.
In 2023 Godolphin and Latymer was honoured as the London Independent School of the Year, recognising its commitment to promoting activities and student well-being.
The school's teaching methods emphasise core skill development alongside fostering creativity. Students can opt for either A Levels or the IB Diploma program, preparing them for universities in the UK and abroad.
One way that Godolphin and Latymer ensure access to exceptional educational opportunities for talented girls from diverse backgrounds is through the bursaries it offers.
So, if you think your child is a high achiever, then you could have up to 110% of the school fees covered for them; that takes a bit of financial pressure off your shoulders, right?
Francis Holland School in Regent's Park
Next up, we have another all-girls school conveniently located in Regents Park, London. Francis Holland School is a school with a storied history dating all the way back to 1878.
However, on top of standing the test of time, the school has evolved substantially and excels in the contemporary educational landscape.
So if you want to send your school to an institution that helps them reach their full potential while promoting an understanding of diverse cultures, then your search might just end here!
The assessments focus on more than academic abilities extending to include creative thinking skills, critical analysis, synthesis capabilities as well as the child’s aptitude for problem-solving.
As you might have expected with such values, the application process requires a series of interviews along with the submission of a reference from your child’s former school.
This way they can get a better understanding of your child’s personality, traits and whether or not they are a suitable fit for the culture they work so hard to maintain.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
One thing that you might have noticed so far on your search for schools is that many are referred to by their abbreviated name, and Lady Eleanor Holles is one such school. The girls' school, commonly referred to as ‘LEH’, is one of the time-honoured girls’ schools.
Like many of the schools that are featured on this list, the school has a decorated history that dates back to 1710.
Another thing that might have become apparent thus far in your search for suitable next steps in your child’s education is the abundance of options throughout London. It’s no wonder the city is such a sought-after destination from which to learn at any level.
If you haven't had the chance to visit the campus just yet, then the video above should give you a better idea of the facilities and ethos of the institution.
Lady Eleanor Holles is nestled in the suburbs of southwest London, a setting amidst lush green surroundings, so it is also without many of the distractions that you can expect from the city.
Parents are typically drawn by the number of graduates that go on to secure spots at Russell Group universities like Oxford and Cambridge or venture across borders to pursue higher education in institutions across the United States and beyond!
North London Collegiate School
We all want that peace of mind that comes with knowing that our child’s education is in good hands, and with North London Collegiate School, you will get exactly that.
Imagine going about your workday knowing that your daughter is in an environment that supports those who aspire to make a positive impact on the world; you'd feel reassured, right?
NCLS's track record speaks volumes about how it helps students secure spots at their preferred universities, with teachers instilling a passion for learning beyond exam requirements.
With that said, grades are by no means the be-all and end-all of an education experience. As a parent, you may also be looking for schools that provide a variety of extracurricular activities for your child to engage with throughout their time at the school.
NLCS has upwards of 50 clubs and societies that allow students to explore various interests, build confidence and discover their passions.
So if you're already thinking about the accolades that your daughter might have on their resume by the time they gets around to graduating, NLCS is definitely a great choice.
Get your Child a Place at a Top School with Superprof
As you can see, there are plenty of schools that rest at the top of the UK rankings year after year, and they all come with a highly competitive admissions process.
If you want your child to stand out in the tall stack of applications, consider having them work alongside a private tutor.
Since many of the schools featured on this list rely on 11-plus exam results as part of their entry criteria, Superprof’s 11-plus private tutors may be exactly what they need.
These tutors will have worked with countless students in the very same position in the past and will be well-suited to helping your child improve their application to these top schools.
They will also be able to provide insights into the admissions process that are not available on any school website.
If you really want to give your child an edge over the competition, then a private tutor from Superprof is one of the most effective resources you can rely on!
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