Based on the Independent Schools Council (ISC) census released in 2025, there are approximately 545,640 pupils at 1,423 ISC member schools in the United Kingdom — featuring 1,179 co-educational schools, 93 boys' schools, and 151 girls' schools.1
These figures reflect the significance and reputation of the UK's private education system, where private schools across the country are known for their academic excellence, diverse extracurricular activities, and state-of-the-art facilities. In this article, we highlight some of the best private schools in the UK to help parents and students navigate the private school enrolment process with confidence.
| School | Location | Gender | Type | Founded | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Paul's Girls' School | London | Girls | Day | 1904 | Top league tables, Independent Secondary School of the Year, rigorous STEM/debating |
| Eton College | Windsor | Boys | Boarding | 1440 | Historic prestige, top co-ed rankings, high Oxbridge placement |
| Sevenoaks School | Kent | Co-ed | Boarding/Day | 1432 | IB-focused innovation, national top tables, global creativity |
| Guildford High School | Surrey | Girls | Day | 1888 | Top girls' rankings, skills-based collaborative learning |
| Magdalen College School | Oxford | Boys (co-ed 6th) | Day | 1480 | Dynamic short lessons, strong academics/debate |
| King's College Wimbledon | London | Boys (co-ed 6th) | Day | 1829 | Elite IB/A-Levels, 150+ clubs, national successes |
| Tonbridge School | Kent | Boys | Boarding/Day | 1553 | IGCSE pioneer, Oxbridge/sport focus, 150-acre campus |
| Radley College | Oxfordshire | Boys | Boarding | 1847 | Leading boarding, aesthetic/holistic warmth |
| Fettes College | Edinburgh | Co-ed | Boarding/Day | 1870 | Scottish top, blended learning/wellbeing |
| King Edward's School | Birmingham | Co-ed | Day | 1552 | Consistent high results, strong extracurriculars |
💼 Understanding the UK Private Education System
Before we proceed to the list, let's take a brief overview of what a private school in the UK entails, particularly its key features.
🧑🎓 Definition and Overview of Private Schools
Private schools are also referred to as independent schools in the UK, as they operate independently of government funding. That's why all private schools charge parents a certain tuition fee structure (term or annum) once enrolment is confirmed. Additionally, the schools also receive income from donations and investment funds.
In terms of governance, private schools are self-governing, where they are overseen by a board of governors or trustees. Additionally, they are regulated by the Department for Education (DfE) and inspected by bodies such as the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
📝 Differences Between Private and State Schools
Let's further break down the major differences between private and state schools in the UK.
Private schools
- Higher autonomy in terms of curriculum design
- Eg: Flexible in offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) alongside the National Curriculum
- Smaller class sizes, allowing more personalised attention and tailored teaching
- Most of them have extensive facilities and more extracurricular offerings
State schools
- Less autonomy in terms of curriculum design
- Eg: Every state school must follow the National Curriculum in England
- Bigger class sizes due to high pupil enrolment (open to the public, free of charge)
- The facilities and extracurricular offerings may vary and be limited according to locations and state funding
Now, let's dive deeper into the leading private schools in the UK, from different cities and counties.
✅ St Paul's Girls' School, London
As one of the top all-girls private day schools in the UK, St Paul's Girls' School is renowned for its all-round excellence in academics, sports, music, drama, and even charity partnerships among female pupils aged 11 to 18.
Established in 1904, the school has consistently ranked among the top schools nationwide for Oxbridge admissions and features notable alumnae such as scientist Rosalind Franklin (who studied chemistry in Cambridge), and actress Emily Mortimer (who studied Russian in Oxford).
Note: Admissions are highly competitive for 11+ and 16+ entry with academic-focused entrance exams on English, Maths, and reasoning, followed by interviews.
Review the best private schools in Surrey.
✅ Eton College, Windsor
Eton College is certainly a household name when it comes to top independent schools in the UK. It is the largest boarding school in England, catering to male pupils aged 13-18.
Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, the school is located on an extensive historic campus. The school constantly secures outstanding grades for key examinations and embraces a wide range of extracurricular interests based on performance, participation, and enjoyment.
Note: Admission is highly selective; open registration is only available for pupils aged 10 (entering Year 5), while other routes of entry will be through scholarships or Sixth Form entry, which open in Year 8 (for Year 9 entry) and Year 11 (for Sixth Form entry).
Learn more about the leading private schools in Manchester.
✅ Sevenoaks School, Kent
Next, we have Sevenoaks School. Founded in 1432, it is one of the oldest non-denominational day and boarding independent schools in the UK, catering to male and female pupils aged 11 to 18.
The school has consistently boasted a progressive education outlook, where it stands out for being one of the first UK schools to adopt the International Baccalaureate (IB) exclusively and produce outstanding results. This makes Sevenoaks a top choice among parents and pupils who want an early global learning exposure through the curriculum. 2
Note: While the admission is also academic-driven, the process includes a series of assessments, interviews, and school reports where the school looks for accomplishments beyond academics.
Boarding: £19,590 -£21,419
Discover the best independent schools in Birmingham.
✅ Guildford High School, Surrey
Now, let's look at Guilford High School. Located in Surrey, this top private school is well recognised for its long tradition of girls’ education and strong academic outcomes.
Established in 1888, the school features a compact urban campus and a separate sports centre with facilities dedicated to the pupils' physical activities, such as an indoor swimming pool, gym, fitness suite and social area.
Note: The school has a competitive entrance assessment (3 subjects and 1 General paper) and interviews, which favour academic excellence. However, music scholarships are also awarded based on selected musical instruments (besides piano).
✅ Magdalen College School
Let's look at Magdalen College School. Located in Oxfordshire, the school shares ties with Magdalen College, Oxford. It is a private day school for boys and offers co-educational education during Sixth Form studies.
The school is known for its short but high-quality lessons (40 minutes), where pupils are fostered a love for learning, creativity, and independence, as well as cultivating relevant skills that will help them experience success at school and beyond.
Note: For admission, pupils will go through a series of selective exams, interviews, and a review of school reports at 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9), or 16+ (Sixth Form).
Read more about the best private schools in Oxfordshire.
✅ King's College School Wimbledon
As for King's College School, it is certainly one of the most academically selective independent schools in London. The school enjoys close links with King’s College London and has regularly achieved exceptional results in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and humanities alike.
Founded in 1829, King's College is located on a 20-acre site. It caters predominantly to male pupils but accepts female pupils for Sixth Form studies. Through its progressive curriculum, the school offers senior students the choice between the International Baccalaureate and A-Level qualifications.
Note: Admission for Junior School and Senior School revolves around competitive exams, where students have to sit for English, Mathematics, and Reasoning subjects according to their age groups.
Explore the best private schools in Kent.
✅ Tonbridge School
Boasting a strong academic and sporting heritage, Tonbridge School is a leading independent school that offers day and boarding education to boys aged 13 to 18.
Famous for its historic Chapel and riverside campus, Tonbridge is also known for its award-winning facilities, such as a science centre and an Olympic sports centre, to help nurture the pupils' passions in every field beyond academics.
Note: Interested applicants have to sit for the ISEB pre-test, assessments, and interviews.
Boarding: £20,693 per term
✅ Radley College
Now, let's look at Radley College. Established in 1847, Radley College is a traditional all-boys, only-boarding private school in Oxfordshire.
The school offers a thriving academic and co-curricular culture for the students, with structured curriculum guides for different age groups, and also exposure to academic debates, music, and drama to prepare students for the outside world.
Note: Entry assessment starts in Year 6, so applicants are encouraged to apply by the start of the Summer Term of Year 5.
Review the top independent schools in Scotland.
✅ Fettes College
If you're looking for a leading private school in Scotland, you can certainly consider Fettes College. Established in 1870, Fettes College is a prestigious day and boarding co-educational school in Edinburgh that caters to pupils aged 7 to 18.
The school is not only well known for its stunning Gothic-style architecture, but also for its academic curriculum offering of both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate, which attracts many local and international students to foster a global learning environment.
Note: Applicants will usually sit for a Cognitive Aptitude Test and have an interview with the Headmaster. Several scholarships are offered, such as Academic Scholarships, Art, Drama, Music, Pipes and Snare Drumming, Sports, and All-Rounder Scholarships.
Day £8,500; Boarding £12,500 (7-13 years)
Day £15,150; Boarding £18,000 (13-18 years)
✅ King Edward's School (KES)
Located in Birmingham, King Edward's School was founded by King Edward VI in 1552. This all-boys private school advocates for critical thinking and interconnectivity between subjects across a broad curriculum for all school levels.
Classics are important subjects from an early age, whereby pupils must take Latin for 3 years before they switch to Classical Greek. Hence, it's no surprise that the most famous KES alumnus is none other than J.R.R Tolkien. 3
Note: GCSE subjects are fixed at 10, and beginning from September 2025 onwards, Sixth Form pupils will take the A-Level qualification instead of the IB pathway. Upon admission, students will be assessed based on academic merit through a series of entrance exams and interviews.
Check out the best private schools in Hertfordshire.
💡 Choosing The Right Private School
We hope this article has offered you a comprehensive overview of some of the best schools in the UK. Take your time to review the academic performance, facilities, and overall reputation of the school before making an informed decision for your child's education.
Many of these schools are either academically selective or co-curricular focused (music, sports, arts), so you can prepare ahead by taking one-to-one tutoring from an experienced tutor to enhance your skills to have a successful application. At Superprof, you can find an experienced tutor for any subject to learn at your own pace from any city in the UK. Just head to the Superprof homepage to start browsing a wide selection of tutors' profiles.
All the best!
References
- ISC Research and Data Team, Parkes, J., Chan, S.-K., Chan, D., Design and layout: Tom Forge, & Lazervision Ltd. (2025). ISC CENSUS AND ANNUAL REPORT 2025. In ISC SCHOOLS: LOCATION, TYPE, STRUCTURE AND SIZE. https://cms.isc.co.uk/media/0u0llqvv/_isc_census_2025_29may25.pdf
- About the IB | Sevenoaks School. (2025, April 26). Sevenoaks School. https://www.sevenoaksschool.org/academic/the-ib/about/
- BBC - World War One at Home, King Edward’s School, West Midlands: JRR Tolkien’s schooldays. (n.d.). BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01sf35s
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