Top 10 Grammar Schools in the UK: A 2024 Guide
What is a grammar school?
A grammar school is a selective state-funded secondary school in the UK that admits students based on their academic ability. Usually, these schools have selective entrance criteria, such as the 11+ or a similar assessment. Grammar schools are known for their rigorous academic standards and provide a wonderful education for capable students, offering a challenging curriculum that prepares them for higher education and prestigious universities, including Oxbridge. Many grammar schools consistently rank among the top-performing schools in the country. This guide will list the top 10 grammar schools in the UK, offering key information about their history, facilities, location and academic performance to help you decide which are the best grammar schools for your child. While grammar schools are free to attend, their selective nature means that competition for places is intense, particularly in areas where there are fewer grammar schools available. This makes it all the more important to really understand the grammar schools you’re applying to and get ahead in the admissions process.
What are the best grammar schools (UK)?
The Henrietta Barnett School
Founded in 1911, The Henrietta Barnett School is a leading girls’ grammar school located in Hampstead, North London. In 2023, it was offered State School of Year 2023 for academic achievement in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide. With a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, the school consistently ranks among the top in the UK and is one of the best London grammar schools. In 2024, 95% of A Level results were A*-B and 88% of GCSE results were Grades 8 and 9 at GCSE. This reflects the school’s intent to provide an ambitious and varied education, focusing on breadth. Henrietta Barnett School also places a strong emphasis on pastoral care and extracurricular opportunities, with over 50 extracurricular clubs from music and drama to STEM, ensuring a well-rounded education. The school consistently prepares students for entry into top universities, including 34 girls gaining offers from Oxbridge in 2023.
Location: Hampstead, London
Number of pupils: Approximately 800
Boys or girls?: Girls
Main entry points: 11+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
11+ Registration Deadline: Early JulyQueen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys) is one of the oldest and most prestigious boys’ grammar schools in the UK, founded by a royal charter from Elizabeth I in 1573. The Headmaster describes it as a “21st century school, built on 16th century foundations”. Located in North London, the school is celebrated for its exceptional academic performance, with over 95% of A Levels awarded grades A*-B and 98% of GCSE results at grades 9-7 in 2023. QE’s strong academic ethos focuses on educating boys to be independent thinkers and with a deep curiosity of learning. The school combines this with a focus on character-building through sports, music, and other extracurricular activities. As one of the best London grammar schools, it prepares students for success at leading universities, including Oxbridge and Ivy League institutions.
Location: Barnet, London
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,300
Boys or girls?: Boys
Main entry points: 11+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
11+ Registration Deadline: Early JulyThe Tiffin Girls’ School
Founded in 1880, The Tiffin Girls’ School is a high-achieving grammar school located in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. With its motto “dare to be wise,” it is renowned for its academic results: the school saw 93% of GCSE grades at 9-7 in 2023. With a focus on empowering girls to excel academically and socially, the school provides extensive co-curricular opportunities, from debating to STEM societies. Tiffin Girls’ offers a supportive environment for developing leadership and creativity, helping students gain entry to top universities worldwide.
Location: Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,200
Boys or girls?: Girls
Main entry points: 11+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
11+ Registration Deadline: Early July
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4. Wilson’s School
Wilson’s School is a historic boys’ grammar school located in Wallington, Surrey, founded in 1615. Wilson’s aims to create a curriculum that is stimulating and demanding for the intelligent boys that earn a place there, pushing them to cover both breadth and depth and leading to strong GCSE results: the school achieved 92% of GCSE grades at 9-7 in 2023. Wilson’s provides a well-rounded education, blending academics with co-curricular activities, including its nationally recognised chess club, competitive sports teams, and performing arts programmes. Its pastoral care and academic guidance prepare students for successful applications to top universities.
Location: Wallington, Surrey
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,300
Boys or girls?: Boys
Main entry points: 11+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
Registration Deadline: Early July
5. The Judd School
Established in 1888, The Judd School in Tonbridge, Kent, is a boys’ grammar school with a mixed Sixth Form. It aims to provide an environment where students can learn and grow, both in the classroom (with 91% of GCSE grades at 9-7 in 2023) and beyond. Judd places a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and creating a strong community, in part through its vibrant co-curricular programmes, including CCF and nationally recognised sports and rugby teams. Judd students are regularly accepted to top universities, including Oxbridge and leading Russell Group institutions.
Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,200
Boys or girls?: Boys (mixed Sixth Form)
Main entry points: 11+ and 16+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
Registration Deadline: Early July
6. King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS)
King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, Essex, was founded in 1551, making it one of the oldest boys’ grammar schools in the UK. It was recently awarded East Anglia State Secondary School of the Year 2025 in Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025, for its outstanding academic results (83.6% of GCSEs at Grade 8 in 2024) and its commitment to providing academic breath and rich extracurricular opportunities in music, debating and sports. KEGS prides itself on having a very supportive learning environment, with a great programme of mentoring to help students who are struggling in a particular subject to excel academically. In 2024, 27 students went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge.
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,200
Boys or girls?: Boys (mixed Sixth Form)
Main entry points: 11+ and 16+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
Registration Deadline: Early July
7. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Established in 1910, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) is located in Greater Manchester and is consistently ranked as one of the top grammar schools in the UK. AGGS encourages its students to develop curiosity, kindness and courage, alongside academic excellence (with over 93% of GCSE grades at 9-7 in 2023). AGGS places an emphasis on independent learning, confidence and leadership, with great co-curricular opportunities to support this in sports, drama, and STEM clubs. The school’s nurturing environment equips students to secure places at top UK universities and beyond.
Location: Altrincham, Greater Manchester
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,300
Boys or girls?: Girls
Main entry points: 11+ and 16+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
Registration Deadline: Early July
8.Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS)
Colchester Royal Grammar School in Essex has a rich history. Founded in 1206 and granted two Royal Charters, by Henry VIII in 1539 and by Elizabeth I in 1584, it is one of the UK’s top grammar schools for boys (with a co-ed Sixth Form). In 2023, over 96% of GCSE grades were 9-7, reflecting its academic rigor. CRGS is particularly known for its excellence in mathematics and sciences, and its ethos of teaching students to enjoy being challenged and aim high. This is complemented by vibrant extracurricular offerings in music and drama. The school prepares students for success at Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, and top global institutions.
Location: Colchester, Essex
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,000
Boys or girls?: Boys (mixed Sixth Form)
Main entry points: 11+ and 16+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
Registration Deadline: Early September
9. St Olave’s Grammar School
St Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, Kent, is a prestigious boys’ school with a mixed Sixth Form, established in 1571. St Olave’s refers to its culture of achievement which has led to its students consistently receiving strong academic results; in 2024, 93.4% of the A Level grades secured by Olavians were grades A* to B, and 95.3% of GCSE grades at 9 to 7. The school aims to educate young people to have the wisdom and strength of character necessary to carry them through life. Its holistic approach emphasises personal development through extensive extracurricular opportunities in sports, music, and public speaking. Many students secure places at Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, and top US institutions.
Location: Orpington, Kent
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,200
Boys or girls?: Boys (mixed Sixth Form)
Main entry points: 11+ and 16+
Sixth form qualification: A-levels
Registration Deadline: Early July
10. Tonbridge Grammar School
Tonbridge Grammar School is a mixed grammar school in Kent, renowned for offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) in the Sixth Form. The school prioritises the wellbeing of its students without compromising on academic results: in 2023, 93% of GCSE grades were 9-7, and the average IB score was 40, placing it among the top-performing IB schools globally. Founded in 1905, Tonbridge Grammar combines academic excellence with extracurricular options, from music to Model United Nations, ensuring a well-rounded education.
Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Number of pupils: Approximately 1,200
Boys or girls?: Girls (mixed Sixth Form)
Main entry points: 11+ and 16+
Sixth form qualification: IB
Registration Deadline: Early July
How to get into the best grammar schools?
The best grammar schools in the UK are highly competitive to get into. The best way to secure a place is by being on top of the admission requirements and starting preparation as early as possible.
Each grammar school has its own entrance exam and selection criteria. Most schools will require students to take the 11+ exam, which tests abilities in English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Certain schools may also require students to attend an interview or take further assessments in other subjects (generally at higher entry points).
The sooner your child starts preparing for the entrance exam for these top grammar schools in the UK, the better. Year 4 or Year 5 still give lots of time for students to familiarise themselves with the exam format and hone key skills. There are lots of practice papers out there for these entrance exams and the best way to get better is through structured repetition. Students may struggle more with areas like verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning which they might not have encountered before; extra prep here is essential. Working with a tutor who can offer tailored feedback to quickly improve your child’s performance, as well as specialist advice about the top grammar schools of their choice, is a great way to accelerate their preparation and ensure they excel in the grammar school entrance exams. U2 Tuition has a great team of tutors who specialise in supporting students for grammar school and 11+ entry, with many of our tutors attending the best grammar schools in the country themselves.
Once your child has mastered answering the questions, developing effective exam technique is key to ensuring they perform well on the day of the entrance exam. Make sure they get plenty of practice with papers under timed conditions so they are prepared.
If offered an interview for a place at one of these top 10 grammar schools (UK), it’s really important that candidates reflect the values of the school and are able to demonstrate a passion for learning, alongside extracurriculars. You can read our full guide about preparing for 11+ interviews. If you’d like mentoring to improve your child’s confidence and interview performance for their interview at one of these top grammar schools, U2 Tuition’s tutors are highly experienced in supporting through this process. With proven methods to boost interview confidence and ensure students come across as engaged and passionate, interview tutoring can make all the difference in securing a place at their top grammar school.
While the entrance process for these top 10 grammar schools is highly competitive, it doesn’t need to be panicked. Early and well-structured preparation is key to success. Get in touch to find out how we can support you on your grammar school admissions journey.
How to select the best grammar schools for your child?
When selecting the best grammar school for your child, you need to think about how the school aligns with their academic strengths, personal interests, and future goals. Here are some key considerations when choosing a top grammar school:
Academic Excellence
Research the school's academic performance, including its GCSE and A-level results. Many top grammar schools publish their performance data, showing the percentage of students achieving high grades (9-7 at GCSE or A*-B at A-level). Consider how well the school aligns with your child’s academic strengths, particularly in subjects they excel in.School Location
Consider the distance between your home and the school. A school that is too far may result in long commutes, which can be tiring and affect your child’s well-being. Ensure the school’s location is practical and convenient for both travel and extracurricular commitments.School Ethos and Values
Each grammar school has its own ethos and values, which may impact the type of environment your child will thrive in. Some schools are more academic and competitive, while others have a stronger focus on student well-being, inclusivity, or extra-curricular activities. Research the school’s values and how they align with your child’s personality and needs.Extra-Curricular Opportunities
While academic excellence is important, extracurricular activities play a key role in personal development. Consider the range of activities the school offers, such as sports, music, drama, debate, and community service. A well-rounded school with a strong extracurricular program can help your child develop important life skills and lead to them enjoying school much more!School Size and Student-Teacher Ratio
The size of the school can affect the level of individual attention your child receives. Smaller schools may provide more personalised teaching, whereas larger schools might offer a broader range of subjects and extracurricular options. Consider the school’s student-teacher ratio to ensure your child will be adequately supported.Specialist Subjects
If your child has a particular interest in subjects like music, drama, or science, consider grammar schools that offer a strong programme in that area. Some grammar schools are renowned for specific subjects, so selecting one with a strong track record in your child’s area of interest can be beneficial.
We strongly recommend visiting the open days of these top grammar schools to help you understand the atmosphere and ethos, as well as to get the opportunity to ask all your questions. If you’re still struggling to make a decision, our educational consultants have lots of experience supporting students in their applications to these top grammar schools and are happy to support you in finding the right fit for your child, as well as support them through the competitive admissions process.
Get in touch by booking a free initial consultation to find out more about how our team of educational consultants and tutors can support you through the admissions process of these top grammar schools.