Top 20 Boarding Schools for Girls
(Photo of Wycombe Abbey School)
Top 20 Boarding Schools for Girls
The Best 2025 Private Girls' Boarding School League Table
This table lists the top 20 independent girls’ boarding schools in the UK.
The rankings are led by A-level results (% of entries at A* or A grades,) but GCSE results (%A*-A or grades 7, 8, 9) are also included for reference and comparison.
The national average for 2025’s A-levels was 28.2% and GCSEs was 21.8%. For independent schools the A-level average was 48.4% and 48.1% for GCSEs.
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| Rank | School | A-Level A*/A% | GCSE A*/A% | Region | No of Boarders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School: Wycombe Abbey School | A-Level A*/A%: 76.25% | GCSE A*/A%: 96.73% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 575 |
| 2 | School: St Swithun’s School | A-Level A*/A%: 71.70% | GCSE A*/A%: 77.40% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 230 |
| 3 | School: St Catherine’s, Bramley | A-Level A*/A%: 70.70% | GCSE A*/A%: 80.08% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 140 |
| 4 | School: Benenden School | A-Level A*/A%: 69.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 78.00% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 530 |
| 5 | School: Cheltenham Ladies’ College | A-Level A*/A%: 68.86% | GCSE A*/A%: 86.23% | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 710 |
| 6 | School: St Francis’ College | A-Level A*/A%: 63.89% | GCSE A*/A%: 70.08% | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 30 |
| 7 | School: St Mary’s School Ascot | A-Level A*/A%: 61.96% | GCSE A*/A%: 94.08% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 375 |
| 8 | School: Headington Rye Oxford | A-Level A*/A%: 61.20% | GCSE A*/A%: 79.30% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 200 |
| 9 | School: St Mary’s Calne | A-Level A*/A%: 60.10% | GCSE A*/A%: 69.87% | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 290 |
| 10 | School: Adcote School for Girls | A-Level A*/A%: 56.90% | GCSE A*/A%: 23.53% | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 75 |
| 11 | School: Downe House | A-Level A*/A%: 54.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 81.00% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 530 |
| 12 | School: St Teresa’s Effingham | A-Level A*/A%: 52.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 49.00% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 55 |
| 13 | School: St Mary’s School, Cambridge | A-Level A*/A%: 51.80% | GCSE A*/A%: 62.65% | Region: Anglia | No of Boarders: 85 |
| 14 | School: Woldingham School | A-Level A*/A%: 50.41% | GCSE A*/A%: 70.42% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 315 |
| 15 | School: Mayfield School | A-Level A*/A%: 50.26% | GCSE A*/A%: 65.31% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 180 |
| 16 | School: Roedean School | A-Level A*/A%: 50.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 76.00% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 340 |
| 17 | School: Badminton School | A-Level A*/A%: 49.77% | GCSE A*/A%: 74.86% | Region: South West | No of Boarders: 180 |
| 18 | School: Moreton Hall | A-Level A*/A%: 49.59% | GCSE A*/A%: 45.21% | Region: West Midlands | No of Boarders: 170 |
| 19 | School: Burgess Hill Girls | A-Level A*/A%: 49.49% | GCSE A*/A%: 69.28% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 50 |
| 20 | School: Queen Anne’s School, Caversham | A-Level A*/A%: 47.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 69.00% | Region: South East | No of Boarders: 195 |
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.
- League tables should not be used in isolation to identify suitable schools. Every effort is made to verify the data within these tables, but Top School Guide does not accept any liability for your reliance on the information on this site, or any errors or ommissions. Please see our terms for further information.
- Amendments, corrections, and requests to republish can be submitted to hello@topschoolguide.com.
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