Five UK state schools get better grades in exams than the top private schools in 2026

New league tables reveal that five UK state schools are getting just as good exam results as the most academic (and some of the most expensive) private schools.

The ten best private schools for exam results, ranked

These are the UK private schools with the best exam results in 2026, ranked by the percentage of GCSE grades that were a 7, 8 or 9. These stats come from The Telegraph‘s new league table.

For context, the cheapest of these schools (well, cheapest relatively speaking) is the City of London School. This day school costs £29,545.20 for the 2026/2027 academic year. Music lessons would set you back another £1,288.80. The most expensive school on this list is Brighton College. The boarding fees for UK pupils now reach £69,561 a year.

1. St Paul’s School – 99 per cent

2. The Goldolphin and Latymer School – 99 per cent

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Godolphin and Latymer School (@gandlschool)

3. North London Collegiate School – 99 per cent

4. St Paul’s Girls’ School – 99 per cent

5. Brighton College – 97 per cent

6. Westminster School – 97 per cent

7. King’s College School, Wimbledon – 97 per cent

8. City of London School – 96 per cent

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City of London School is the reddish building at the front
(Credit: Wayland Smith)

9. Highgate School – 96 per cent

10. Latymer Upper School and Latymer Prep – 96 per cent

Five of the UK’s state schools get better grades than those private schools

Five state schools in the UK get just as impressive exam results as those elite private schools. Here are the best-performing UK state schools in 2026, ranked by the percentage of students who got a 7, 8 or 9 in their English and Maths GCSEs (according to The Telegraph).

If you’re wondering, 94 per cent of GCSE results at Eton College were a 7 or higher. These state schools look rather good in comparison.

Do keep in mind that all five of these schools are selective, and within the Greater London area. The best-performing state school beyond London would be Stratford Girls’ Grammar School in Stratford-upon-Avon, where 93.3 per cent of pupils get a 7 or higher in their GCSEs.

Henrietta Barnett School
(Credit: Jim Osley)

1. The Henrietta Barnett School – 100 per cent

2. The Tiffin Girls’ School – 98.9 per cent

=3. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet – 96.9 per cent

=3. St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School – 96.9 per cent

=3. Wilson’s School – 96.9 per cent

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