Best Private Schools in the UK and London by A Level Results

St Paul's Girls' School has the highest average A level point score of any independent school in England on the Department for Education's official 16 to 18 performance measure, the figure published each year in the DfE's school and college performance tables. North London Collegiate School ranks second nationally and St Paul's School third. The same school tops the London ranking too: St Paul's Girls' School is first among independent schools across the capital's five DfE regions, with North London Collegiate School second and St Paul's School third there as well.

Both rankings come from one measure only: average A level point score per entry, sourced by the DfE from the awarding bodies for every independent school in England. The DfE published a score for 479 independent schools. The England ranking below covers the top 25 places, 26 schools since two tie for 25th, and the London ranking covers the top 20 independent schools across the capital's five DfE regions. For context, the average point score across all schools and colleges in England was 36.1, a grade of B-, and 35.0, also B-, across state-funded schools and colleges alone.

How are the schools ranked?

The schools are ranked by average A level point score per entry, a single figure the Department for Education publishes each year in the 16 to 18 school and college performance tables for every school and college in England, sourcing independent schools' results from the awarding bodies. Schools are listed highest score first, and any schools on the same figure share a rank.

Each A level grade carries a fixed number of points, and the DfE also expresses a school's average as a fine grade, shown in the grade column of the tables below.

• A* = 60 points
• A = 50 points
• B = 40 points
• C = 30 points
• D = 20 points
• E = 10 points
• Average of 48.34 to 51.67 = grade A
• Average of 51.67 to 55.00 = grade A+
• Average of 55.00 to 58.34 = grade A*-

Which private schools in England have the best A level results?

St Paul's Girls' School has the highest average A level point score among independent schools in England on the DfE measure, with North London Collegiate School second and St Paul's School third; the table below sets out the full top 25 places, 26 schools in total. The rest of the top ten runs The National Mathematics and Science College fourth, Westminster School fifth, Brighton College sixth, King's College School (Wimbledon) seventh, The Godolphin and Latymer School eighth, Guildford High School ninth and Concord College tenth.

The top twelve schools in the table all averaged a fine grade of A+ on the DfE measure, and the rest of the top 25 averaged A. Schools outside London that make the top 25 include Brighton College, Guildford High School, Concord College in Shrewsbury, King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham, Magdalen College School in Oxford, The Perse School in Cambridge, Eton College and Wycombe Abbey.

Twelve of the 26 schools in the table are girls' schools at sixth-form level, three (St Paul's School, Haberdashers' Boys' and Eton College) are boys' schools at sixth-form level, and the rest are mixed in the sixth form. Cohort sizes across the top 25 range from 62 to 270 A level students, so the ranking spans schools of quite different sizes.

Which private schools in London have the best A level results?

St Paul's Girls' School also has the highest average A level point score among independent schools in London on the DfE measure, with North London Collegiate School second, St Paul's School third, Westminster School fourth and King's College School fifth; the table below lists the full top 20 places across the DfE's five London regions.

Our admissions guides for the ranked schools, where we have one, are listed after the table and cover each school's entry points and assessments.

School guides for the ranked schools:

• St Paul's Girls' School admissions guide
• North London Collegiate School admissions guide
• Brighton College admissions guide
• King's College School admissions guide
• The Godolphin and Latymer School admissions guide
• Guildford High School admissions guide
• South Hampstead High School GDST admissions guide
• King Edward VI High School for Girls admissions guide
• Wimbledon High School GDST admissions guide
• Magdalen College School admissions guide
• Haberdashers' Boys' School admissions guide
• City of London School for Girls admissions guide
• Alleyn's School admissions guide
• Latymer Upper School and Latymer Prep admissions guide
• Highgate School admissions guide
• The Perse School admissions guide
• Putney High School GDST admissions guide
• Lady Eleanor Holles School admissions guide
• Eton College admissions guide
• Haberdashers' Girls' School admissions guide
• Trinity School admissions guide
• Wycombe Abbey admissions guide
• James Allen's Girls' School admissions guide
• City of London School admissions guide
• Bancroft's School admissions guide
• Kingston Grammar School admissions guide
• Surbiton High School admissions guide

What does the A level ranking leave out?

The DfE's average point score counts A level entries only, so results in the International Baccalaureate and other qualifications sit outside this figure; a school that teaches mainly the IB is ranked on its A level entries alone, or does not appear in the table at all.

The figure is an average per entry, not per student, so it does not show how many A levels pupils at a given school typically sat. It is also raw attainment: the DfE does not adjust it for pupils' attainment when they joined the school, and many independent schools select pupils by entrance assessment.

The table reflects one year of results only and covers England alone, so schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not included. It is worth reading alongside a school's inspection report, entry points, admissions process, fees and overall fit for a child.

How should you use the ranking when choosing a school?

The ranking works best as one input for shortlisting, given it reflects one measure and one year of results; checking a school's entry points and admissions process matters just as much once a shortlist is drawn up.

The schools in both tables admit pupils at different ages, commonly 11+, 13+ or 16+; some take most of their intake at a single point of entry, others across several. Each school sets its own entry points and assessments on its admissions pages, so these are worth checking directly for any school under consideration.

What should you do next?

Start by locating the schools of interest in the tables above and reading the admissions guide for each one to confirm its entry points and assessment route. Weigh the average point score alongside the school's inspection report, admissions process and fit for the child, and use the London table alongside the England table if location is a factor, before narrowing a shortlist and preparing for entry.

Related guides

• Independent school fees compared
• What is a bursary? Private school bursaries explained
• Boarding schools in the UK
• Grammar schools in England: the complete guide
• The 11+ entrance exam explained

11+ and entrance exam preparation with Taylor Tuition

Families weighing up independent schools usually need a child ready for the school's own entrance assessment at 11+ or 13+, whatever the fee or bursary position, and that is where our programmes start. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors plan the work backwards from each school's assessment format and registration deadline.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate. Sessions run online for families across the UK and internationally, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.