These are the UK’s top 10 grammar schools for 2025, named by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide

Schools don’t have to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to be prestigious. Sure, private schools dominate this year’s Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, but there are a bunch of grammar and selective state schools ranked highly on the list that are giving them a run for their money. 

The annual Sunday Times’ ranking rates schools all over the UK based on their A level and GCSE results. Grammar schools are all about academic excellence, with entry exams that ensure only the smartest kids get in. So, it’s not really any surprise that they’ve done well. 

Many of the country’s grammar schools are boy or girl only. And in this year’s league table, the girls came out on top. North London all-female grammar school, The Henrietta Barnett School, was crowned number one for grammar schools and UK state schools overall. It came 10th on the combined ranking of state and private institutions. 

The second best grammar school in this year’s ranking was Queen Elizabeth’s School, an all-boys establishment also in north London. It was followed by the boys-only Wilson’s School in Wallington. 

These are UK’s best grammar schools for 2025, according to the  Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 

1. The Henrietta Barnett School, Hampstead
2. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
3. Wilson’s School, Wallington
4. St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington
5. Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham
6. The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston-upon-Thames
7. Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester
8. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham
9. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
10. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham 

Get schooled with Time Out

See which comprehensive state schools ranked highly on the Sunday Times Power Guide here. If you want to check out other league tables, these are the UK’s best state secondary schools based on 2024 GCSE results, according to Which School Advisor.

We’ve also got a list of England’s 10 best private schools based on this year’s A-level and GCSE results, with the best private school in the country being in London. And if you’re already planning ahead, you might want to check out which school is the best for getting students Oxbridge offers. 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.