Top 100 Boarding Schools for GCSEs
(Photo of Brighton College)
Top 100 Boarding Schools for GCSEs
The Best 2025 Private Boarding School GCSE League Table
This table lists the top 100 independent boarding schools in the UK based on 2025 GCSE and iGCSE results. Rankings are determined by each school’s percentage of GCSE entries awarded 7, 8 or 9, or A*-A grades.
The national average for 2025’s GCSEs was 21.8% and the independent school average was 48.1%.
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| Rank | GCSE A*/A% | School | Gender | Region | No of Boarders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GCSE A*/A%: 97.95% | School: Brighton College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 440 |
| 2 | GCSE A*/A%: 97.90% | School: St Paul’s School | Gender: Boys | Region: London | No of Boarders: 40 |
| 3 | GCSE A*/A%: 97.60% | School: Westminster School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: London | No of Boarders: 168 |
| 4 | GCSE A*/A%: 96.73% | School: Wycombe Abbey School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 575 |
| 5 | GCSE A*/A%: 94.08% | School: St Mary’s School Ascot | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 375 |
| 6 | GCSE A*/A%: 94.00% | School: Eton College | Gender: Boys | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 1340 |
| 7 | GCSE A*/A%: 93.20% | School: Dulwich College | Gender: Boys | Region: London | No of Boarders: 130 |
| 8 | GCSE A*/A%: 93.00% | School: Winchester College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 675 |
| 9 | GCSE A*/A%: 92.00% | School: Tonbridge School | Gender: Boys | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 450 |
| 10 | GCSE A*/A%: 91.35% | School: Caterham School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 95 |
| 11 | GCSE A*/A%: 90.00% | School: Sevenoaks School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 400 |
| 12 | GCSE A*/A%: 87.30% | School: Abingdon School | Gender: Boys | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 13 | GCSE A*/A%: 86.70% | School: Wellington College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 870 |
| 14 | GCSE A*/A%: 86.34% | School: Whitgift School | Gender: Boys | Region: London | No of Boarders: 110 |
| 15 | GCSE A*/A%: 86.23% | School: Cheltenham Ladies’ College | Gender: Girls | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 710 |
| 16 | GCSE A*/A%: 86.20% | School: Concord College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 490 |
| 17 | GCSE A*/A%: 86.17% | School: Epsom College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 320 |
| 18 | GCSE A*/A%: 86.00% | School: Radley College | Gender: Boys | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 765 |
| 19 | GCSE A*/A%: 85.76% | School: The Leys School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 250 |
| 20 | GCSE A*/A%: 82.05% | School: Haileybury | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 550 |
| 21 | GCSE A*/A%: 81.54% | School: City of London Freemen’s School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 60 |
| 22 | GCSE A*/A%: 81.00% | School: Downe House | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 530 |
| 23 | GCSE A*/A%: 80.08% | School: St Catherine’s, Bramley | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 24 | GCSE A*/A%: 79.30% | School: Headington Rye Oxford | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 200 |
| 25 | GCSE A*/A%: 79.00% | School: Hurstpierpoint College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 475 |
| 26 | GCSE A*/A%: 78.46% | School: Kingswood School, Bath | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 175 |
| 27 | GCSE A*/A%: 78.22% | School: St Michael’s School Llanelli | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Wales | No of Boarders: 70 |
| 28 | GCSE A*/A%: 78.20% | School: Rugby School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 650 |
| 29 | GCSE A*/A%: 78.00% | School: Benenden School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 530 |
| 30 | GCSE A*/A%: 78.00% | School: King’s High School | Gender: Girls | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 16 |
| 31 | GCSE A*/A%: 77.71% | School: Bishop’s Stortford College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 32 | GCSE A*/A%: 77.60% | School: Oundle School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: East Midlands | No of Boarders: 840 |
| 33 | GCSE A*/A%: 77.59% | School: St John’s School, Leatherhead | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 165 |
| 34 | GCSE A*/A%: 77.40% | School: St Swithun’s School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 230 |
| 35 | GCSE A*/A%: 76.00% | School: Roedean School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 340 |
| 36 | GCSE A*/A%: 75.70% | School: Ardingly College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 320 |
| 37 | GCSE A*/A%: 75.60% | School: Berkhamsted Senior School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 80 |
| 38 | GCSE A*/A%: 75.60% | School: Warwick School | Gender: Boys | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 50 |
| 39 | GCSE A*/A%: 75.03% | School: Charterhouse | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 880 |
| 40 | GCSE A*/A%: 75.00% | School: Mill Hill School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: London | No of Boarders: 100 |
| 41 | GCSE A*/A%: 75.00% | School: Reed’s School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 80 |
| 42 | GCSE A*/A%: 74.86% | School: Badminton School | Gender: Girls | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 180 |
| 43 | GCSE A*/A%: 73.86% | School: Cardiff Sixth Form College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Wales | No of Boarders: 325 |
| 44 | GCSE A*/A%: 73.50% | School: Stephen Perse Foundation | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 60 |
| 45 | GCSE A*/A%: 73.40% | School: Bedford School | Gender: Boys | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 240 |
| 46 | GCSE A*/A%: 72.22% | School: Canford School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 400 |
| 47 | GCSE A*/A%: 71.19% | School: The Yehudi Menuhin School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 65 |
| 48 | GCSE A*/A%: 70.42% | School: Woldingham School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 315 |
| 49 | GCSE A*/A%: 70.38% | School: The King’s School, Canterbury | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 715 |
| 50 | GCSE A*/A%: 70.18% | School: Westbourne School, Penarth | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Wales | No of Boarders: 75 |
| 51 | GCSE A*/A%: 70.08% | School: St Francis’ College | Gender: Girls | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 30 |
| 52 | GCSE A*/A%: 69.87% | School: St Mary’s Calne | Gender: Girls | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 290 |
| 53 | GCSE A*/A%: 69.28% | School: Burgess Hill Girls | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 50 |
| 54 | GCSE A*/A%: 69.00% | School: Queen Anne’s School, Caversham | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 195 |
| 55 | GCSE A*/A%: 68.23% | School: Chigwell School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: London | No of Boarders: 28 |
| 56 | GCSE A*/A%: 68.04% | School: Royal High School Bath | Gender: Girls | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 95 |
| 57 | GCSE A*/A%: 68.00% | School: Uppingham School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: East Midlands | No of Boarders: 800 |
| 58 | GCSE A*/A%: 67.11% | School: Marlborough College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 980 |
| 59 | GCSE A*/A%: 65.31% | School: Mayfield School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 180 |
| 60 | GCSE A*/A%: 65.00% | School: St Edward’s School Oxford | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 680 |
| 61 | GCSE A*/A%: 64.33% | School: New Hall School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 280 |
| 62 | GCSE A*/A%: 64.00% | School: St Peter’s School, York | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Yorks/Humber | No of Boarders: 125 |
| 63 | GCSE A*/A%: 63.00% | School: Bradfield College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 705 |
| 64 | GCSE A*/A%: 62.73% | School: Bromsgrove School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 480 |
| 65 | GCSE A*/A%: 62.65% | School: St Mary’s School, Cambridge | Gender: Girls | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 85 |
| 66 | GCSE A*/A%: 62.00% | School: Dauntsey’s School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 250 |
| 67 | GCSE A*/A%: 62.00% | School: Lancing College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 380 |
| 68 | GCSE A*/A%: 62.00% | School: St George’s School, Ascot | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 100 |
| 69 | GCSE A*/A%: 62.00% | School: Prior’s Field School | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 70 |
| 70 | GCSE A*/A%: 61.18% | School: Ashford School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 100 |
| 71 | GCSE A*/A%: 61.00% | School: Queen Ethelburga’s College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Yorks/Humber | No of Boarders: 530 |
| 72 | GCSE A*/A%: 61.00% | School: Oxford International College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 73 | GCSE A*/A%: 60.83% | School: Kimbolton School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 45 |
| 74 | GCSE A*/A%: 60.00% | School: The Royal Ballet School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: London | No of Boarders: 223 |
| 75 | GCSE A*/A%: 60.00% | School: Monkton Combe School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 280 |
| 76 | GCSE A*/A%: 60.00% | School: Shrewsbury School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 605 |
| 77 | GCSE A*/A%: 59.60% | School: Woodbridge School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 25 |
| 78 | GCSE A*/A%: 59.00% | School: Royal Masonic School for Girls | Gender: Girls | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 80 |
| 79 | GCSE A*/A%: 59.00% | School: Bootham School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Yorks/Humber | No of Boarders: 60 |
| 80 | GCSE A*/A%: 58.91% | School: Leighton Park School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 110 |
| 81 | GCSE A*/A%: 58.90% | School: Royal Russell School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: London | No of Boarders: 180 |
| 82 | GCSE A*/A%: 58.78% | School: Ipswich School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 65 |
| 83 | GCSE A*/A%: 58.61% | School: Cheltenham College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 580 |
| 84 | GCSE A*/A%: 58.00% | School: The Purcell School for Young Musicians | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 85 | GCSE A*/A%: 58.00% | School: Clifton College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 390 |
| 86 | GCSE A*/A%: 57.67% | School: Loughborough Grammar School | Gender: Boys | Region: East Midlands | No of Boarders: 70 |
| 87 | GCSE A*/A%: 56.31% | School: Royal Hospital School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 385 |
| 88 | GCSE A*/A%: 56.00% | School: Malvern College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 510 |
| 89 | GCSE A*/A%: 56.00% | School: Reddam House Berkshire | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 115 |
| 90 | GCSE A*/A%: 56.00% | School: Repton School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: East Midlands | No of Boarders: 440 |
| 91 | GCSE A*/A%: 55.90% | School: Gresham’s School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 320 |
| 92 | GCSE A*/A%: 55.30% | School: Hereford Cathedral School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 20 |
| 93 | GCSE A*/A%: 55.20% | School: Fettes College | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Scotland | No of Boarders: 480 |
| 94 | GCSE A*/A%: 55.00% | School: Merchiston Castle School | Gender: Boys | Region: Scotland | No of Boarders: 220 |
| 95 | GCSE A*/A%: 55.00% | School: Queenswood | Gender: Girls | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 210 |
| 96 | GCSE A*/A%: 54.95% | School: St Leonards | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Scotland | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 97 | GCSE A*/A%: 54.90% | School: Oakham School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: East Midlands | No of Boarders: 495 |
| 98 | GCSE A*/A%: 54.00% | School: Sherborne School | Gender: Boys | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 545 |
| 99 | GCSE A*/A%: 53.00% | School: Taunton School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 410 |
| 100 | GCSE A*/A%: 53.00% | School: Culford School | Gender: Co-ed | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 260 |
Important
- All exam result data is for results issued in the summer of 2025, unless otherwise stated. Data is compiled from reliable, official sources and updated when sufficient results have been acquired. Results are updated and amended whenever new information becomes available.
- U/A = results are unavailable. N/A = the school does not offer this curriculum.
- Rating exam results by % of entries at A*-A (A-level), % of entries at 7,8,9 (GCSE) or average IB score per candidate is common practice. However, the format in which the data is presented (specifically, the column headings and calculations conceived for subject-specific league tables and the BTEC league table) is the copyright material of Top School Guide and protected by database right. The content is for personal, non-commerical use only, and you may not reproduce, republish, copy, or otherwise use the format or content in any way.
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