Every parent wants to give their child the best education. For many, British public schools offer an outstanding private education. Discover the top 20 public schools across the UK, from the best co-educational private schools to the top all-boys and all-girls public schools in Britain. 

The Top Co-Educational Independent Schools in the UK 

Co-Educational means that girls and boys are educated together. While traditional British public schools are either all-girls or all-boys, co-educational independent schools are becoming increasingly popular. 

1. Westminster School

Westminster school is famed for its historical central London location. With students between the ages of 13 and 18, Westminster school is highly competitive - for its most recent 13+ Common Entrance exam, there were 550 applicants for 120 places. The hard work pays off, though - Westminster has one of the best Oxbridge acceptance rates in the country.  

2. The Perse School

Located in Cambridgeshire, students at The Perse School receive an innovative education, with a focus on ‘learning by doing’. It accepts pupils between the ages of 3 and 18, which creates a strong community feel, and the school has invested around £40 million in new facilities over the past ten years. 

3. Gordonstoun School

Gordonstoun School is set in the idyllic Scottish countryside and has plenty of royal links - both Prince Philip and Prince Charles were educated there. It teaches students between 6 and 18. With 450 students in the Senior School and 115 students in the Junior School, it’s an intimate community. Gordonstoun School also has a one year GCSE programme for international students who want to adapt to a British education before sixth form. 

4. The King’s School, Canterbury

The King’s School, Canterbury, is one of the oldest schools in the world - it was founded in the year 597. Located near the historic Canterbury Cathedral, it’s rich in history and traditions, offering a typical British public school education. 

5. Alleyn’s School

With 1300 pupils between 4 and 18, Alleyn’s School, which is located in Dulwich in London, prides itself on its history and its enrichment programmes. The school is also highly academic - 82% of A Level grades last year were A or A*. 

6. Bancroft’s School

Bancroft School was founded in 1737. It accepts pupils between the ages of 7 and 18, and has a strong emphasis on extracurricular development. Students complete the ‘Lion’s Diploma’ alongside their academic study, which consists of enrichment and activities to develop critical thinking and real-world skills. 

7. Highgate School

Highgate School is a modern school located in London which celebrates its International focus. Its academic success is impressive - in 2020, for instance, 74% of GCSE grades were A*. 

8. Sevenoaks School

Located in the Kent countryside, Sevenoaks School’s 100-acre campus means that there’s plenty of green space and sports facilities. It’s an IB only school, boasting one of the largest and most successful IB programmes in the UK. 

The Best Independent Schools for Girls 

9. Guilford High School for Girls

Founded in 1888, Guilford High School was awarded the Independent Girls School’s Sporting School of the Year in 2020, and The Sunday Times named it the best Independent School of the Decade. What’s more, in 2020, 90% of A Level grades were A* or A. 

10. The Godolphin and Latymer School

Awarded The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2020, The Godolphin and Latymer School is a driven, academic school located in London. In 2020, students secured places at Oxbridge and Ivy League Colleges 

11. Queen’s College

Queen’s College is on the smaller side, with 378 pupils aged between 11 and 18. That means they can offer a highly tailored education in a tight-knit community. The school is located on Harley Street in central London. 

12. Wycombe Abbey

Set in idyllic rural England, Wycombe Abbey offers a typical private school education for its 580 pupils, all aged between 11 and 18. It’s not old-fashioned, though - there are brand new, refurbished boarding houses with ensuite rooms and study areas. 

13. St Helen and St Katharine

St Helen and St Katharine, a girls school in the countryside outside Oxford, prides itself on extracurricular development - there are over 100 clubs and programmes for students to choose from. It’s also academically excellent - nearly half of the GCSE grades gained by students in 2020 were Level 9.

The Best Public Schools for Boys 

14. St Paul’s School

St. Paul’s is a historic public school located in West London. Founded in 1509, it provides an all-round education to boys between the ages of 7 and 18. It boasts theatres, a boat club, a design technology workshop, and a recital hall on-site - which is a rarity for London schools. St. Paul’s is famed for academic rigour - nearly one-third of St Paul’s pupils secure places at Oxbridge. 

15. Eton

Everyone’s heard of Eton - it’s where Prince William and Prince Harry went to school, after all. The school has a rich history - it was founded in 1440 - and has its own traditions. It accepts pupils between the ages of 13 and 18. 

16. Winchester College

Winchester College boasts a range of sports - including rowing, fencing, and shooting - as well as a range of academic paths - students can choose to do iGCSE’s or Cambridge Pre-U. Located in Hampshire, it values freedom and independent development. 

17. Harrow

Harrow boasts huge grounds with a golf course and working farm - there’s lots of green space. There’s a balance between academic success - well over two-thirds of students achieved A* or A grades in 2017 - and extracurricular enrichment - its unique Elective programme allows students to develop political awareness and critical thinking. 

18. Charterhouse

Charterhouse offers a lot of academic freedom - at sixth form, students can choose between Pre-U, IB, or A Level, depending on their interests and future plans. While it’s historically an all-boys school, the sixth form is open to girls, and from September 2021, girls will be able to join at Year Nine, too. 

19. Magdalen College School

Founded in 1480, Magdalen College School is a historic independent school located in the heart of Oxford. 25% of final year students gain places to study at Oxbridge, and many others go on to Russell Group universities.

20. King’s College School

With 1400 pupils, King’s College School prides itself on academic success. The school is located in Wimbledon, London. 

Finding the right school for your child is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Our team of educational consultants can help make the process easier. Find out more here.