A grammar school education is such an attractive option that many families in the UK will willingly move to a grammar school area. The combination of being free yet highly selective and high-attaining makes this type of schooling very appealing. But where are the 10 best grammar schools in the UK in 2024? Read on to find out where to look and where’s best to live nearby.
10 best grammar schools in the UK and where to live nearby
The following list shows the 10 best grammar schools in the UK. This is according to the top 50 ranking from True11Plus – a specialist UK education platform – and is based on 2023 GCSE results.
Also included in our list below is each school’s ‘Progress 8′ score. This measures the overall progress of the school’s pupils between Year 6 and Year 11. Effectively, this measures their attainment across eight subjects/qualifications. To put it in perspective, the national average is 0. Accordingly, any score higher than 0.5 is considered a signal of exceptional school-wide performance.
1: The Henrietta Barnett School
Location: Hampstead
2023 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 98.8%
Progress 8: 1.1
Overview: The Henrietta Barnett School is a selective school in Hampstead, NW11. This all-girls school is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and is one of the most competitive schools in London for admissions. Around 3,000 applications are made to the school every year.
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2: Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
Location: Barnet
2023 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 95.7%
Progress 8: 1
Overview: Founded in 1573 by royal charter, Queen Elizabeth’s School has a long and storied history. Besides its grand old buildings and impressive interiors, the school is forward thinking too. It’s described as providing an “exceptional and rounded education” by the Good Schools Guide, and The Sunday Times recently voted it the State School of the Year.
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3: Wilson’s School
Location: Sutton
2021 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 95.4%
Progress 8: 1.33
Overview: Wilson’s School has climbed the grammar school league tables fast, and ranks third for the second year running. This is thanks to its stellar reputation for sport combined with excellent academic progression rates overall. Located in Sutton, the school features an exceptional, modern and well-resourced campus.
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4: The Tiffin Girls’ School
Location: Kingston-Upon Thames
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 94.9%
Progress 8: 0.96
Overview: London is home to many of the best grammar schools in the country, and The Tiffin Girls’ School is no exception. Boasting exceptional exam results and general progression every academic year, it also provides a highly creative learning environment. The school is a great incubator of artistic talent in its students, as well as sporting prowess.
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5: Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Location: Altrincham, Cheshire
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 96.8%
Progress 8: 1.05
Overview: Altrincham Grammar School for Girls was founded in 1910 and has become one of the most popular academic institutions in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area. The school is the largest all-girls selective school in the country and has a reputation for mathematics, science, PHSE and modern foreign languages.
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6: Pate’s Grammar School
Location: Cheltenham
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 95%
Progress 8: 0.9
Overview: Pate’s Grammar School dates from 1574 and this co-educational grammar school has an excellent reputation for sciences. Its physics department has previously been named the best in the country. The school is located in a popular residential area on the western edge of historic Cheltenham.
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7: St. Olave’s Grammar School
Location: Orpington
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 91%
Progress 8: 1.11
Overview: St Olave’s Grammar School is a boy’s school sitting in the popular suburb of Orpington on the boundary of Greater London and Kent. Kent is traditionally a grammar school heartland and St Olaves has built a fine reputation for its outstanding performance and outcomes.
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8: King Edward VI Grammar School
Location: Chelmsford
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 93.8%
Progress 8: 0.82
Overview: King Edward VI Grammar School has a rich history, dating from 1551 when King Edward VI issued a Royal Warrant for the establishment of the institution. The school sits close to the centre of historic Chelmsford and remains an extremely renowned and coveted school, both in the city and the wider Essex area.
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9: Colyton Grammar School
Location: Devon
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 90.1%
Progress 8: 0.98
Overview: Taking ninth place is Colyton Grammar School in Devon. This mixed gender school received an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating in 2022. With its rich history, dating back to 1546, the school is a prestigious destination in the heart of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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10: Colchester Royal Grammar School
Location: Colchester
2022 GCSE Grade Percentage at 8/9: 84%
Progress 8: 0.93
Overview: Colchester Royal Grammar School dates from as far back as 1128. The school is primarily a boy’s school, though girls are admitted for sixth form. The school is located in historic Colchester’s Lexden neighbourhood.
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Quick Questions asked about Grammar Schools
What is a grammar school?
Grammar schools are a tiny minority of state schools in the UK – less than 1% according to the National Grammar Schools Association (NGSA). They are selective, and require all students applying for a place to complete the ‘11+’ examination and undergo one or several interviews. However, education at a grammar school is free, and almost all of them are among the top-performing schools in the UK.
This means that competition for grammar school places is fierce. Every year, hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren take the 11+, hoping to get a place in one of the UK’s 163 grammar schools.
Why is it called a grammar school?
The term “grammar school” comes from Latin scolae grammaticales. It was a term developed in the 16th century and the original grammar schools were purely monastic and cathedral schools. They took in students who wanted to join the priesthood and taught them Latin grammar. The modern form of grammar schools started in 1944 with the Education Act.
Do catchment areas apply to grammar schools?
Grammar schools do not use catchment areas when offering places to students. Their selection criteria is mostly down to the entrance examinations – the “11+” and any other exams the school might require. Living in a grammar school area is no guarantee of getting a place at a grammar school.
Where are the best grammar schools in England?
The best grammar schools in England are spread across London, the Home Counties, Kent and Manchester. If you really want to go down the grammar school route, it’s worth checking out all of the country’s ‘grammar school areas’ to see what might be the best fit.
Are grammar schools better than public schools?
Grammar schools are not necessarily better or worse than public schools. There are plenty of examples where one type outperforms the other on key metrics. Generally, grammar schools achieve excellent academic results, often beating public schools. Crucially, grammar schools are free, whereas public schools are fee-paying institutions.
Are grammar schools hard to get into?
Grammar schools are often very difficult to get into. They are oversubscribed because of their high popularity and non-fee-paying status. The ‘11+’ examination is a very challenging entry exam. It’s designed to help grammar schools find the best and most suitable candidates for places.
What percentage of children go to grammar school?
About 5% of all secondary-aged schoolchildren in England attend grammar school. Over 100,000 pupils take the 11+ each year, on average.
Do you have to pay for grammar school UK?
You do not have to pay to attend grammar school in the UK. This is a big part of the reason why they are so popular. Millions of parents want to send their children to schools that are high-achieving but without having to pay fees.
If this has sparked your interest in the grammar school system, then click on any of the schools to review their admissions processes. We also have articles on HomeViews highlighting the best private and non-grammar state schools in the country.
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