Expert Insights

Best Grammar Schools in the UK (2024)

Published 12th April 2024 by Alastair

Best Grammar Schools in the UK

Grammar schools are state-funded schools that select pupils based on their academic ability.

As a parent, you might consider a grammar school for your child for a range of reasons:

- You may feel an academically challenging environment is best for your child, but independent school fees are beyond your means

- You may feel there is a lack of good comprehensive schools in your local area, and a grammar school will offer the best opportunity for your child

- Most grammar schools are single-sex, and you may feel that would best suit your child. This is gradually changing, with more grammar schools becoming co-educational and many now having co-educational sixth forms.

In this guide, we will highlight some of the best grammar schools in the UK.

Want to know the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK? Read our guide here.

We also offer support with 11+ Grammar School preparation - check out our 11+ Grammar School Practice Papers.

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About Grammar Schools in the UK

The history of grammar schools goes back to the 12th Century, but the grammar school idea that exists today initially formed part of the tripartite system, together with secondary modern and technical schools, established by the 1944 Education Act. All children took the 11 Plus exam and were allocated school places based on their achievement. During the 1960s and 1970s, under successive Governments, the system was largely changed to one of non-selective comprehensive schools, and the 11 Plus was phased out as a national test. The comprehensive system continues today, with some 90% of children attending a comprehensive school.

According to the latest figures published in a Commons Library Research Briefing, in January 2022, around 188,000 pupils attended 163 grammar schools in England, representing just over 5% of state-funded pupils. There is an uneven spread of grammar schools across the country, with 60% located in just 11 local authorities and the greatest concentration in the south-east.

Entry to grammar schools is generally through the 11 Plus exam, which children take at the beginning of Year 6. This challenging exam covers English, maths, verbal, and non-verbal reasoning and is designed to help schools choose the most academically able children. Some schools may also have interviews.

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Do Children Do Better at Grammar Schools?

Figures in the Research Briefing show that children in Grammar schools achieve considerably higher results at GCSE than children in non-selective mainstream schools. Using a system based on pupil’s best eight grades, termed Attainment 8, non-selective schools scored between 44-48, whereas grammar schools had a score of 74. As grammar schools select the most academically able children, this is perhaps not a surprise.

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Are Grammar Schools Better Than Private Schools?

There are many factors to consider when comparing grammar and private schools. The relatively small number of grammar schools makes entry highly competitive, and as stated before, they are limited to a small number of local authorities in England. Clearly a big draw is that they are state funded. Private schools may offer other advantages, such as smaller class sizes and access to a wider range of extra-curricular activities.

Comparing academic results is not straightforward, as not all private schools are academically selective. School league tables such as that published by The Times can offer valuable comparison data.

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The Best Grammar Schools in the UK

As of 2024, these are currently the top Grammar Schools in the UK.

Using academic results as the measure, and taken from the Sunday Times league table of best grammar schools, our top 10 grammar schools are as follows.

(If you need support with Grammar School exam preparation, we offer 11+ Practice Papers)

School	A level Results % A* - B	GCSE Results	Entry Gender at 11	Established	School Inspection Grade
Wilson's School (Sutton, London)	98	95	Boys	1615	Outstanding
Queen Elizabeth's School (Barnet, London)	96.9	93.3	Boys	1573	Outstanding
The Henrietta Barnett School (Barnet, London)	91.1	97.6	Girls	1911	Good
Pates Grammar School (Gloucestershire)	91.5	90.7	Mixed	1574	Outstanding
St Olave's Grammar School (Bromley, London)	90.7	91.4	Boys	1571	Outstanding
Colchester Royal Grammar School (Essex)	93.7	85	Boys	1206	Good
The Tiffin Girls' School (Kingston upon Thames, London)	88.5	94.4	Girls	1880	Outstanding
Reading School (Berkshire)	90.1	88.3	Boys	1125	Outstanding
King Edward VI School (Warwickshire)	89.9	84.4	Boys	1295	Outstanding
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Greater Manchester)	85.3	91.2	Girls	1910	Outstanding

Browse our 11+ Practice Papers

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FAQs

Grammar schools are not equally spread across England, with a majority in the south-east. Seven of the schools in our top ten are based in the south-east, with five of them in London, including the top three.

There are 163 grammar schools in England and a further 69 in Northern Ireland. There are no grammar schools in Scotland and Wales. Currently, legislation does not allow for new grammar schools to be opened, but grammar schools have been allowed to expand to take more pupils.

Entry into grammar schools is generally through the 11 Plus exam. Entry is highly competitive with several applicants for each available place. The exam covers English and maths from the entire Key Stage 2 curriculum and at times beyond, as well as verbal and nonverbal reasoning which children attending mainstream primary schools may not have encountered.

Ivy Education provides 11+ Tuition to gain places at the top Grammar schools in the country, offering both in-person sessions in London and convenient online tutoring.

We also offer Grammar School Exam Papers which are designed to help students with exam technique and break down how to master the exams subject-by-subject.

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Conclusion

Grammar schools are state funded schools which select the most academically able children. We hope this guide has helped explain the process, highlighted some of the best performing grammar schools and answered some of your questions.

At Ivy Education we have experienced 11+ tutors who can help you navigate the system and prepare your child for the competitive 11 Plus exam.